Needle Time

  U2 - The Joshua Tree [B0026626-01 USA 2017 QRP 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] So what is the best sounding pressing of The Joshua Tree ? Love them or hate them, this album represents the band's creative peak, aided by a superb Eno/Lanois production and the opening three tracks are among the finest on any mainstream rock album. I still have fond memories of the day of release (it was a Monday back then) and my boss at my suburban record chain store bribing the Securicor Parcels delivery man to drop our boxes (there were many) at 7.30am - a good five hours before our local competitors, Our Price Records. In those days, British vinyl releases were not shrink-wrapped and we were selling them quicker than we could get them wrapped. We know that Island Records squeezed the full fifty minutes onto two sides of vinyl and consequently we would never be assured the highest of audio fidelity. I have an original, it's okay but like many out there, time and wear have taken their toll.  There hav...

  U2 - War (闘) [25S-156 JPN 1983 24-Bit FLAC] Some of you may surprised to know that I own a couple of U2 albums, including two copies of War . The first was bought around the time of release, off the back of the New Year's Day single. I kinda like the album but the production by Steve 'Muddy' Lilywhite really lets it down, exaggerated by a shoddy & flimsy pressing by Carlton for Island Records in Eire. I assume the band were happy at the time with what Lilywhite did with their sound, however it is notable that they moved to the more dynamic pairing of Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois for the next few albums.  My near mint condition original Japanese pressing on Polystar is a remarkable audible improvement on the original European release (the gatefold packaging is also excellent) however Larry Mullen still sounds like he is bashing a couple of tin buckets at the end of a cladded tunnel and The Edge guitar lacks the attention to audio detail his skills deserve.  It is ...