20th Anniversary Album - Frantic Flintstones

Advantages: Back to the Classic Killing Joke Sound
Disadvantages: None if You Like Them

...The last few years have been a busy and fruitful time for Killing Joke what with a fantastic album released in 2003, numerous tours and a recent 25th anniversary. This new Opus of theirs was recorded in the basement of the Faust Building, Prague. The band Jaz Coleman (Keyboards and Vocals), Geordie Walker (Guitar), Paul Raven (Bass) and newish boy Benny Calvert (Drums) adopted a live approach to the recording, so that the recording actually sounded like a band playing. Geordie dislikes multi-tracking layers of guitars preferring to use one live take, and as a result hated their self titled 2003 album. I have to agree with the sentiment as the one flaw that the last album had was that it did not sound like a band playing together. So I am happy to hear that they have gone back to the old ways of setting up and playing capturing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: All the benefits of the quadrophonic recording without the crackle
Disadvantages: the vinal still sounds warmer

...What can I add after that title? I have my original pressing first release vinal album which still sounds superb although getting a quadrophonic amp that still works is a bitch! This SACD presentation brings back much of the original feel and nearly the depth of the original which the cd lacked particuarily if used via naff kit. This is Floyd at their peak in my humble opinion and one of the defining albums of the twentieth century. If you don't already own it buy it now forget Seargent Pepper and th White Album this is the must buy album of all time. Ok you need a sacd player and a decent 5.1 amp to appreciate this album at its best having said that if you have the kit sit back and enjoy. It's hard to believe this album was recorded so long ago considering the multi level nature of the tracks that are so far ahead of their time.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Possibly their best work, Bonus tracks, long interview
Disadvantages: None

...20th Anniversary album, First released in 1985. The album which many a Magnum fan would say this is the one, the opus if you will, and with very good reason. This is Magnums fifth studio album and very different in style to other rock bands of the same era. Though the album has a solid rock sound it isn't overly polished like many of their contemporaries albums. An excellent album from start to finish. Strong music and lyrics from Tony delivered masterfully as always by Bob. This album was originally released on a small independent label called FM after they left their previous label Jet. This album was produced by Kit Woolven and recorded in UB40's studio in Birmingham (UK). The album was so good it was the springboard to their signing with major label Polydor in the latter part of the eighties. Anyway back to the music.... From... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful