Genesis 2007 masters... can't listen to originals...

For the past two years nearly, my main Genesis listening has been the 2007 remasters. I understand these are even remixes, not just different masters. My problem is, despite most saying they're inferior, I cannot for the life of me get into any of the other remasters or original pressings. I'm too used to the 2007 versions.....

 

That's very brave of you to admit on this forum!

 

you should fill out your equipment profile.

 

I was a victim of the "War on Genesis' 2007 Remasters" in a past thread. As I recall, I was told that if I thought the remixes/remasters sound OK, something is wrong with my speakers.

You are playing with fire here son, plain and simple.

 

This could be a sure sign of a Neurodegenerative disease! Seek professional help immediately!

I jest! Tis but a wee stab at some humor. Wee being the operative word.

To each is own mate. Now where is my pen I need to cross someone off my Christmas card list.

 

For Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Lamb, W&W, ATTW3, Shapes and IT
i am absolutely with the OP. For the rest i prefer the originals. (Well SEBTP and Abacab is a draw, i can go both ways with them) And i greatly prefer all the live album remixes too.

 

The first step is admitting you have a problem …

 

I don't begrudge anyone the right to like what they like, but I still don't understand why they felt the need to remix those albums instead of just remastering them.

 

Interesting to hear this, as I pretty much agree.

 

I can't listen to the originals either... 'cause I don't have them. I plan on making Genesis UK 1sts my next big collecting project, though.

 

I don't think he's saying he prefers the 2007 remasters for their quality, but rather he's listened to them so much that the originals sound odd. I experienced the same thing when I listened to A Trick of the Tail on vinyl, but I haven't listened to any other original Genesis LPs.

 

This is indeed the problem. My first exposure was the remasters and now the originals sound off.

 

I think this is probably a common problem (not just with Genesis but with all music). I remember at one point reading a story where there was a pretty egregious mastering error on some early CD, and then when they finally corrected it, lots of people complained that they ruined the sound. I think that's just human nature, honestly.

 

At the end of the day, if the remasters tickle your fancy, go with it! My personal experience in this case is that original pressings can sound less "punchy" compared to usually more compressed remasters, but if you really give them a listen, the better dynamics eventually win out. There certainly are cases where the original transfers/mastering/sources were just poor & the remaster then makes more sense. Follow your ears!

 

It's all a matter of taste. If you enjoy the 2007 remasters, it's ok. To my ears, they sounded terrible from the very beginning. I've never listened to Genesis on vinyl, and I don't have the original CD's (when they were available, I was not interested in the band). My Genesis collections consists of the 1994 remasters, the 2007 1970-1975 box set, and the Edsel From Genesis to Revelation double CD. An audiophile's nightmare!

 

First exposure or not - the originals (since they are "original") can only ever be considered to be "on" in my book.

The 2007 issues were not only remixed but trashed by excessive dynamic range compression.

Now if that's your thing and it makes you happy - enjoy. But if you are serious about the band and it's music - you should lend an objective ear to the original pressings.

VP

 

been hunting high and low for the original issue cd of Wind and Wuthering (not the 1994 DER).

seems impossible to find. I found the silver disc of Trick, which only whet my appetite even more for its wonderful follow-up and companion album.

 

I have to admit I agree - I really don't find the remasters the sonic crime they're often painted as with the possible exception of Duke which I do find a little fatiguing - but it's never sounded brilliant, I think a nicely mastered version of the remix could be very nice - I don't mind the 5.1 mix.

Having said that I tend to listen to my original vinyl pressings or the 5.1 mixes in the house while the remasters are usually for the iPod/car.

 

I think it's very natural that the first version of something you hear becomes the one your brain considers the way it's supposed to be. I just started listening to Nightwish last year and their current singer is the band's third. I heard a concert with her and after tracking down the original versions of the songs they don't sound as good to me! As to Genesis, I haven't heard the 2007 remasters since all I heard was bad stuff about them when they came out. IMO, I think the 1994 remasters are great and were an improvement over the original CDs.

BTW, does anyone know if the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway with the bonus DVD that had the music syncd up to the slides from the original tour has ever been sold by itself?

 

I have a set of the 1994 Atlantic (non-remixed) remasters, and these have always sounded fine to me. Got to be a few other folks out there that have these. Opinions on the 1994 remasters?

 

My opinion: all bad, with harsh eq and excessive de-noising. One exception: Abacab. That one sounds very nice to me.

 

Let me just take this moment to say... Welcome to the Steve Hoffman forum Mr. Banks!

 

Well, not always. My first encounter with Zappa's Hot Rats was through the '87 mix. Many years later, I listened to the original mix, and I liked it better. The first Black Sabbath album I listened to was Live Evil. After discovering the albums of the original line-up with Osbourne and Ward, which included many of the songs from that live album, I lost all interest in the Dio years.
Regarding Genesis, I can't tell if the 1994 remasters were an improvement, for I haven't had the chance of listening to the old vinyl records or the old CD's. But if some day (I highly doubt it) they got re-released (soundwise) faithfully to the original editions, I wouldn't doubt to buy them.