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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 10, 2010 13:53:09 GMT -5
Man, was I (sort of) pissed today. I drove back to "Bust" Buy, intending to buy more John CDs. When I had been there 5 days ago on release date, there were so many CDs that they were practically overflowing off the shelves. But today? Only two copies of MILK AND HONEY left, along with a couple of DF STRIPPED, and the POWER TO THE PEOPLE HITS COLLECTION. In other words, John's regular albums sold like HOTCAKES!!!! I mean, I was really disappointed that I couldn't get any of the studio albums, but was glad they sold so AMAZINGLY WELL!
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 10, 2010 18:19:16 GMT -5
I just bought the DF Stripped but have not opened it yet. I thought the previous re-issues were fantastic and I can't see how you can make DF sound better. I hope that you enjoy DF Stripped Down, ursamajor. I am enthusiastic about it although I agree that the 2000 remastered DF with the original mix is outstanding with two great bonus tracks. I played it really loud in my car and I was blown away. "Hard Times Are Over" is really a treat as I got to play it loud for the first time.
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Post by darkhorse67 on Oct 10, 2010 19:04:08 GMT -5
I went to pick up my son at his high school band practice and I played Yoko's Kiss Kiss stripped down really really loud with the subwoofer up to the kilt! Everyone in the parking lot had to turn, my son's head was turned slightly low....as he hurried to get his guitar into the car...I get this subtle impression he may have been slightly embarrassed....
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 10, 2010 21:43:17 GMT -5
I went to pick up my son at his high school band practice and I played Yoko's Kiss Kiss stripped down really really loud with the subwoofer up to the kilt! Everyone in the parking lot had to turn, my son's head was turned slightly low....as he hurried to get his guitar into the car...I get this subtle impression he may have been slightly embarrassed.... LOL! Great story! Well, my horrible weekend started with me playing DF Stripped Down as my wife and I drove to dinner Friday night. Yoko's "Beautiful Boys" is playing and I think it is lovely, more Spanish Guitar than on the original and less of the "Star Wars" sound effects. My wife turns to me as I'm driving and flatly states, "That is terrible, just horrible." I spent one minute trying to defend it and the weekend went to hell from there. So much for John's birthday and me playing his music. Nada, zip. Stressful indeed.
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 10, 2010 23:44:56 GMT -5
Man, was I (sort of) pissed today. I drove back to "Bust" Buy, intending to buy more John CDs. When I had been there 5 days ago on release date, there were so many CDs that they were practically overflowing off the shelves. But today? Only two copies of MILK AND HONEY left, along with a couple of DF STRIPPED, and the POWER TO THE PEOPLE HITS COLLECTION. In other words, John's regular albums sold like HOTCAKES!!!! I mean, I was really disappointed that I couldn't get any of the studio albums, but was glad they sold so AMAZINGLY WELL! The whole album is a revelation and it proves to me at least why it's my favourite solo album, the songwriting is so good on this album and yes that includes Yoko's songs. The best part was that you get to hear little guitar parts that you couldn't hear before a backing vocal or two and the perceived lesser songs like Cleanup Time, Dear Yoko, I'm Your Angel and Beautiful Boys sound better than ever. I always felt that Just Like Starting Over was one of John's greatest solo songs and in stripped form it sounds better than ever. Screw Carr and Tyler who called it a wimpy track, losers. Everyman Has a Woman Who Loves Him could have been released today in that form and everyone would rave, as it started I was waiting for some bass and drums to kick in but I like that spacey yet earthy sound and John's backing vocals. Which when we get down to it is what this is all about. John had an amazing voice and it's stamped all over this album. I really think the John and Yoko partnership could have gone on for a few more albums of this type of music and it's a shame the Milk and Honey project didn't have time to get completed. But JSD, the irony is that I think Hard Times Are Over is the least different sounding track to the original on here. Great song but not too different in strippped down form.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 11, 2010 12:14:34 GMT -5
Man, was I (sort of) pissed today. I drove back to "Bust" Buy, intending to buy more John CDs. When I had been there 5 days ago on release date, there were so many CDs that they were practically overflowing off the shelves. But today? Only two copies of MILK AND HONEY left, along with a couple of DF STRIPPED, and the POWER TO THE PEOPLE HITS COLLECTION. In other words, John's regular albums sold like HOTCAKES!!!! I mean, I was really disappointed that I couldn't get any of the studio albums, but was glad they sold so AMAZINGLY WELL! The whole album is a revelation and it proves to me at least why it's my favourite solo album, the songwriting is so good on this album and yes that includes Yoko's songs. The best part was that you get to hear little guitar parts that you couldn't hear before a backing vocal or two and the perceived lesser songs like Cleanup Time, Dear Yoko, I'm Your Angel and Beautiful Boys sound better than ever. I always felt that Just Like Starting Over was one of John's greatest solo songs and in stripped form it sounds better than ever. Screw Carr and Tyler who called it a wimpy track, losers. Everyman Has a Woman Who Loves Him could have been released today in that form and everyone would rave, as it started I was waiting for some bass and drums to kick in but I like that spacey yet earthy sound and John's backing vocals. Which when we get down to it is what this is all about. John had an amazing voice and it's stamped all over this album. I really think the John and Yoko partnership could have gone on for a few more albums of this type of music and it's a shame the Milk and Honey project didn't have time to get completed. But JSD, the irony is that I think Hard Times Are Over is the least different sounding track to the original on here. Great song but not too different in strippped down form. Great review, ursamajor! Stripped Down proves (Just Like) Starting Over is a good song. Yeah, the first thing I noticed was those glorious guitars! I like the original but it has a lot of female back-up vocals and other sounds that hide the basic rock-and-roll beauty of it. On "Hard Times Are Over," what I love is John's rantings like a mad Southern preacher, not to that wicked chuckle at the end. His nod SPOILER to the White Album was thrilling to me.
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Post by joeyself on Oct 11, 2010 16:13:45 GMT -5
I downloaded the DFSD on Rhapsody and listened to it last night. I was very impressed with what was done with John's songs, so much so that I listened to all 7 of Yoko's in one sitting. I can't remember the last time I did that, even when playing the original release.
Kudos to whoever was involved, and I hope the rest of the catalog gets a similar revisit.
JcS
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 11, 2010 16:31:26 GMT -5
I gotta tell ya, you guys are making me seriously reconsider my stance on the DOUBLE FANTASY: STRIPPED DOWN album.
I just went over to YouTube, where they have John's DFSD songs all listed (I haven't searched for Yoko's yet). I played CLEANUP TIME, I'M LOSING YOU, and WATCHING THE WHEELS so far. I'm beginning to think it's more interesting than I was lead to believe. The reason I made the original decision not to bother was based on 10-15 second clips off AMAZON, which didn't show that many differences.
However, I still don't like the idea that the songs as they originally were intended for DOUBLE FANTASY are now going to be forever altered.
But I may pick this up after all.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 11, 2010 16:36:08 GMT -5
Oh, I was also watching a video of some girl opening the entire SIGNATURE BOX SET on camera, and for all you Yoko Haters out there I think you should know there's a lovely surprise that says: THANK YOU, YOKO JULIAN SEAN Note that "Julian's" name is second.
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lowbasso
A Hard Day's Knight
Posts: 2,776
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Post by lowbasso on Oct 11, 2010 19:38:34 GMT -5
Oh, I was also watching a video of some girl opening the entire SIGNATURE BOX SET on camera, and for all you Yoko Haters out there I think you should know there's a lovely surprise that says: THANK YOU, YOKO JULIAN SEAN Note that "Julian's" name is second. The sons were just listed in alphabetical order
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 12, 2010 4:53:25 GMT -5
Oh, I was also watching a video of some girl opening the entire SIGNATURE BOX SET on camera, and for all you Yoko Haters out there I think you should know there's a lovely surprise that says: THANK YOU, YOKO JULIAN SEAN Note that "Julian's" name is second. The sons were just listed in alphabetical order People should just give Yoko credit here. Lord knows they'd have no problem giving her criticism, if Julian's name was last or did not appear at all!
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 12, 2010 5:11:47 GMT -5
Oh, I was also watching a video of some girl opening the entire SIGNATURE BOX SET on camera, and for all you Yoko Haters out there I think you should know there's a lovely surprise that says: THANK YOU, YOKO JULIAN SEAN Note that "Julian's" name is second. Well, that's nice to see, seems like Julian and Yoko have resolved their differences and they can stop wasting time on negative energy. You should pick DFSD, it doesn't and never will replace the original but it gives you a different perspective on the songs. I hope they do this to Milk and Honey and other unreleased John songs that have a clean vocal.
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 12, 2010 5:16:01 GMT -5
The whole album is a revelation and it proves to me at least why it's my favourite solo album, the songwriting is so good on this album and yes that includes Yoko's songs. The best part was that you get to hear little guitar parts that you couldn't hear before a backing vocal or two and the perceived lesser songs like Cleanup Time, Dear Yoko, I'm Your Angel and Beautiful Boys sound better than ever. I always felt that Just Like Starting Over was one of John's greatest solo songs and in stripped form it sounds better than ever. Screw Carr and Tyler who called it a wimpy track, losers. Everyman Has a Woman Who Loves Him could have been released today in that form and everyone would rave, as it started I was waiting for some bass and drums to kick in but I like that spacey yet earthy sound and John's backing vocals. Which when we get down to it is what this is all about. John had an amazing voice and it's stamped all over this album. I really think the John and Yoko partnership could have gone on for a few more albums of this type of music and it's a shame the Milk and Honey project didn't have time to get completed. But JSD, the irony is that I think Hard Times Are Over is the least different sounding track to the original on here. Great song but not too different in strippped down form. Great review, ursamajor! Stripped Down proves (Just Like) Starting Over is a good song. Yeah, the first thing I noticed was those glorious guitars! I like the original but it has a lot of female back-up vocals and other sounds that hide the basic rock-and-roll beauty of it. On "Hard Times Are Over," what I love is John's rantings like a mad Southern preacher, not to that wicked chuckle at the end. His nod SPOILER to the White Album was thrilling to me. You can't make up those rants, definitely a Noo Yawk influence there, the man's a genius.
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lowbasso
A Hard Day's Knight
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Post by lowbasso on Oct 12, 2010 7:54:11 GMT -5
The sons were just listed in alphabetical order People should just give Yoko credit here. Lord knows they'd have no problem giving her criticism, if Julian's name was last or did not appear at all! Seriously, the three of them all profit from John's music according to his estate, so of course they are all going to thank the fans for buying their 12th or so copy of the same music they already own. I don't think Yoko had anything to do with Julian's name on the note, it was just an agreement amoung the three to all include their names on the note. Strictly a business decision. I will say that Yoko, in her old age, is making a definite effort to be nice to the Lennon side of the family. But that doesn't change how she was when John was alive. And how she treated Julian right after his death when it came time to dividing up the estate.
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Post by mikev on Oct 12, 2010 12:32:38 GMT -5
I gotta tell ya, you guys are making me seriously reconsider my stance on the DOUBLE FANTASY: STRIPPED DOWN album. I just went over to YouTube, where they have John's DFSD songs all listed (I haven't searched for Yoko's yet). I played CLEANUP TIME, I'M LOSING YOU, and WATCHING THE WHEELS so far. I'm beginning to think it's more interesting than I was lead to believe. The reason I made the original decision not to bother was based on 10-15 second clips off AMAZON, which didn't show that many differences. However, I still don't like the idea that the songs as they originally were intended for DOUBLE FANTASY are now going to be forever altered. But I may pick this up after all. Thanks for the You Tube heads up. The previews were too short and I'm not yet prepared to buy the CD. Wow. All the warts in John's single tracked-non- reverberated voice make him...Human!!! I loved those warts- make me a little more secure in my vocal abilities ;D I loved Yoko's little hidden vocal in Clean-up Time. Still have to listen to the Yoko cuts, but I have to down a few cold ones first
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 13, 2010 12:34:11 GMT -5
So I went back to Bust Buy and they've gotten some more copies stocked. I bought PLASTIC ONO BAND only at this point, since I want the original version of "Hold On", with the shorter intro.
But I refrained from buying IMAGINE. Does anyone know any differences between the old remastered version and this one? ANy differences worth noting/having? I'm thinking not.
I played the new WALLS AND BRIDGES recently and thought John's vocals sounded too muddied. I think for this particular album I may stick to playing the other remastered one.
Still don't know what to do about SOMETIME IN NYC (which has not yet been re-stocked) or the older muddled ROCK N ROLL (why bother with that one?)
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Post by historywak on Oct 16, 2010 10:01:23 GMT -5
Looks like someone uploaded all the remasters on youtube so Joe if you want to do comparisons between those and the old remasters you can. Also, have you listened to Plastic Ono Band yet? How does it sound? I personally prefer the original album mix of Walls and Bridges. I remember when I got the last remaster I thought it sounded a bit too harsh for my liking.
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Post by mikev on Oct 16, 2010 11:23:41 GMT -5
Looks like someone uploaded all the remasters on youtube so Joe if you want to do comparisons between those and the old remasters you can. Also, have you listened to Plastic Ono Band yet? How does it sound? I personally prefer the original album mix of Walls and Bridges. I remember when I got the last remaster I thought it sounded a bit too harsh for my liking. You Tube uses mp-3 technology I think. You can get an idea, but not full thing.
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Post by historywak on Oct 16, 2010 13:19:37 GMT -5
Looks like someone uploaded all the remasters on youtube so Joe if you want to do comparisons between those and the old remasters you can. Also, have you listened to Plastic Ono Band yet? How does it sound? I personally prefer the original album mix of Walls and Bridges. I remember when I got the last remaster I thought it sounded a bit too harsh for my liking. You Tube uses mp-3 technology I think. You can get an idea, but not full thing. Oh course. I meant the mixes could be compared.
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 16, 2010 17:28:28 GMT -5
In the car I had the 2000 DF Remix and Remaster, the 2010 DF remaster and the 2010 DF Stripped.
The 2000 DF is still the best for me. DF Stripped is a fantastic companion to the original and I will keep going back to it. The 2010 remaster is not as good as the remixed version so it's pretty obvious , where possible they should remix to get the best possible modern sound.
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Post by historywak on Oct 16, 2010 19:15:46 GMT -5
In the car I had the 2000 DF Remix and Remaster, the 2010 DF remaster and the 2010 DF Stripped. The 2000 DF is still the best for me. DF Stripped is a fantastic companion to the original and I will keep going back to it. The 2010 remaster is not as good as the remixed version so it's pretty obvious , where possible they should remix to get the best possible modern sound. I was pretty sure that the 2000 remaster wasn't remixed.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 17, 2010 5:23:10 GMT -5
Looks like someone uploaded all the remasters on youtube so Joe if you want to do comparisons between those and the old remasters you can. Also, have you listened to Plastic Ono Band yet? How does it sound? I personally prefer the original album mix of Walls and Bridges. I remember when I got the last remaster I thought it sounded a bit too harsh for my liking. Thanks for the info. I listened to some of the 2010 PLASTIC ONO BAND, and then went back immediately and compared the 2000 remix. To my ears, I preferred the clarity in the sound of the old 2000 disc better. But the reason I wanted the new release was because I love the song HOLD ON and wanted the original shorter intro. With WALLS AND BRIDGES, I've played both and to me the vocals sometimes sound too buried on either (which was John's preference). But it may have been slightly better on the older 2005 release (again, just to my ears). The reason I wanted the 2010 re-release was to get the CD with John's original artwork on the cover. I've decided not to even bother with the updated IMAGINE and ROCK N ROLL. I haven't decided if I'll buy the new SOMETIME IN NYC yet.
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Post by brothermichael on Oct 17, 2010 11:08:26 GMT -5
But I refrained from buying IMAGINE. Does anyone know any differences between the old remastered version and this one? ANy differences worth noting/having? I'm thinking not. This is the first remaster for Imagine, I believe. The CD prior to this was remixed. Different animal.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 17, 2010 12:48:45 GMT -5
I'll reprint here what I wrote on an earlier page in this Thread because I actually pulled each Lennon and Lennon/Ono reissue from 2000 to 2005 and quoted from the actual disc because even the descriptions of these albums on Amazon.com are inaccurate:
This gets confusing so I pulled out the 2000 to 2005 reissued Lennon and Lennon/Ono catalog and am physically holding them in my hand(as I peck the keyboard with the other!):
1. JL/POB: 2000 "Remastered and Remixed"(says so in the clear plastic left edge with the title). Bonus Material: Power To The People, Do The Oz.
2. Imagine: 2000 "Remastered and Remixed"(says so in same place on left edge of jewell case). No Bonus Material.
3. STINYC: 2005 "Remixed/Remastered"(says so in Left corner of front cover like others). Bonus Material: Listen The Snow Is Falling, Happy Xmas(War Is Over). Warning: Some songs shortened, i.e., "We're All Water" and DWK(Live Jam) and all the Zappa jams gone except CT, DWK and Well Baby Please Don't Go.
4.Mind Games: 2002 "Remixed and Remastered"(says so in left corner). Bonus Material: Aisumasen(home version), Bring On The Lucie(home version), Meat City(home version). Warning: Great sonics but edited Meat City??
5. Walls And Bridges: 2005 Strangely does not say like all others in left cover edge in the clear plastic. Booklet confusingly says all remixed in 2005 except Old Dirt Road, Bless You, Scared, and Nobody Loves You(When You're Down And Out) but all seem to be remastered in 2005. Why were those four not remixed too?? Bonus Material: WGYTHN(live with Elton John), Nobody Loves You(WYDAO) stripped down version, John Interview to plug album. Warning: Altered album cover, John's childhood artwork gone, Disc itself has picture of J & Y turning into each other(from STINYC originally).
6. Rock'N'Roll: 2004 "Remixed & Remastered"(says so back on clear, left edge of front cover). Bonus Material: Angel Baby, To Know Her Is To Love Her, Since My Baby Left Me, Just Because(Reprise) with shout out to Paul, George and Ringo(maybe not in that order). Must have, saves this once sonically and emotionally dead album.
7. Double Fantasy: 2000 "Remastered" only(says so in left corner in clear plastic). Great sonics! I haven't played Disc 2 of DF 2010 to compare. 2000 DF sounds wonderful. Bonus Material: Help Me To Help Myself(very poignant), Walking On Thin Ice(never sounded better), Central Park Stroll(very short, unrealized).
8. Milk And Honey: 2001 "Remastered" only(says so in left clear plastic edge). Bonus Material: Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him(John vocal), Stepping Out(home version), I'm Moving On, Interview 12/08/80(John's last one, compliments Paul and Yoko as his only two artistic partners). [/quote]
The 2000 Imagine was remastered and remixed. The 2000 Double Fantasy was only remastered.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 18, 2010 0:07:44 GMT -5
I am listening to the 2010 reissued John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album and it sounds damn fine. The original mix is restored but sounding better than ever.
I think "Remember" is the coolest, most underrated song any ex-Beatle ever did! It has an amazing groove.
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Post by historywak on Oct 18, 2010 13:46:22 GMT -5
I am listening to the 2010 reissued John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album and it sounds damn fine. The original mix is restored but sounding better than ever. I think "Remember" is the coolest, most underrated song any ex-Beatle ever did! It has an amazing groove. So would you say the 2010 reissue of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is a must buy?
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 18, 2010 14:18:25 GMT -5
I am listening to the 2010 reissued John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album and it sounds damn fine. The original mix is restored but sounding better than ever. I think "Remember" is the coolest, most underrated song any ex-Beatle ever did! It has an amazing groove. So would you say the 2010 reissue of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is a must buy? YES! It is the original 1970 mix sounding better than ever. I do like the 2000 remixed and remastered version and am glad I have all of those. I bought the 2010 reissued Imagine early Sunday morning and I'll report back on that. I was impressed with the 2010 reissued Mind Games but I prefer the 2002 remixed and remastered version except for the strangely edited "Meat City."
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Post by brothermichael on Oct 18, 2010 16:32:11 GMT -5
I'll try to add more later as time permits, but DF Stripped is a winner! Bought it yesterday and am extremely impressed. John's tracks are all interesting, fresh and Yoko's first two are impressive.
BTW, my Best Buy had all the discs, including STINYC on sale for $16.00. I think I'll pass on everything except the POB.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 18, 2010 21:36:36 GMT -5
I'll try to add more later as time permits, but DF Stripped is a winner! Bought it yesterday and am extremely impressed. John's tracks are all interesting, fresh and Yoko's first two are impressive. BTW, my Best Buy had all the discs, including STINYC on sale for $16.00. I think I'll pass on everything except the POB. Another DF Stripped Down fan. I am drawn to DF Stripped Down much more than I ever was to the original 1980 DF. I was too immature in 1980 to appreciate it. I was expecting seven "I Am The Walrus"-like songs from John and while I was tolerant of Yoko's songs, I was really there for John's. I actually think the 2010 reissued STINYC is an essential purchase because it sees the return of the original line-up but is remastered. The 2005 remixed and remastered version was edited("We're All Water") and omitted all the freak-out Zappa stuff. The original STINYC on c.d. from 1987 is unlistenable as sonically dead.
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Post by historywak on Oct 23, 2010 9:01:28 GMT -5
So, I've been hearing that the remasters for DF and M&H were poorly remastered using lots of limiting and compression. I also heard that those two weren't remastered with the rest of the new remasters. What do you guys say about it? Oh and to anyone who got the signature box, how do the remasters of the singles sound?
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