Mansun: Attack of the Grey Lantern (Deluxe w/5.1 mix), June 2018

Where was the vinyl cut?

 

No reviews of this apart from one CD review? Did we start a thread so we could just say we’re ordering it?

 

Per DHL the purple vinyl should be arriving tomorrow. I will post my thoughts here, but the only thing I have to compare it to is the 1997 cd.

 

Enjoyed the BBC sessions disc.
Have not had a chance to listen to the DVD but it's had mixed reviews on the QQ forum, at least the 5.1 mix has . No mention of the hi rez stereo which appears on the DVD.

 

Listened to excerpts of the 5.1 this morning. Left me a bit unexcited, really. The rears aren't really used for much, at least, not in what I listened to (Chad, Lovesong, Taxloss). Perhaps I've been spoiled by Mr Wilsons excellent skills in this arena, but I'm afraid it was a bit average. Another listen beckons, I think.

 

The purple vinyl is a nice pressing, not too hot and crankable enough to get the dynamics. I didn't notice anything that stood out against the original, except maybe a bit more clarity at the top and bottom end. Sadly, Mrs. Pretzel has Mansun very high on her list of most-hated bands, so it's rare that I can play it without complaint.

 

Ha, most-hated? Why?

My purple vinyl came late yesterday, but I haven't played it due to Ms Soon-to-be-Marbles had a migraine and we have a tiny 1 bedroom apartment. But today I'll listen to it.

 

For those interested in dynamic range stats, it's disappointing that despite some hopeful posts on Facebook asking for a flat transfer or at least to have a version of the album not as hot as the original, it appears to be a very similar level...

Original '97 CD
DR8 -0.07 dB -11.55 dB 5:03 01-The Chad Who Loved Me
DR8 -0.07 dB -10.76 dB 5:55 02-Mansun's Only Love Song
DR8 -0.07 dB -10.28 dB 7:02 03-Taxloss
DR8 -0.07 dB -13.48 dB 3:06 04-You, Who Do You Hate?
DR8 -0.07 dB -9.95 dB 4:31 05-Wide Open Space
DR7 -0.07 dB -8.72 dB 4:05 06-Stripper Vicar
DR9 -0.07 dB -11.32 dB 5:08 07-Disgusting
DR8 -0.07 dB -9.55 dB 3:55 08-She Makes My Nose Bleed
DR8 -0.07 dB -9.27 dB 4:40 09-Naked Twister
DR8 -0.07 dB -9.88 dB 4:11 10-Egg Shaped Fred
DR9 -0.07 dB -12.14 dB 8:37 11-Dark Mavis
DR9 -0.07 dB -10.60 dB 4:04 12-An Open Letter To The Lyrical Trainspotter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks: 12
Official DR value: DR8

2018 remaster
DR8 -0.01 dB -10.18 dB 5:03 01-The Chad Who Loved Me
DR7 -0.01 dB -9.38 dB 5:55 02-Mansun's Only Love Song
DR7 -0.01 dB -9.01 dB 7:02 03-Taxloss
DR7 -0.01 dB -12.38 dB 3:06 04-You, Who Do You Hate?
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.72 dB 4:31 05-Wide Open Space
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.48 dB 4:06 06-Stripper Vicar
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.95 dB 5:08 07-Disgusting
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.24 dB 3:55 08-She Makes My Nose Bleed
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.44 dB 4:40 09-Naked Twister
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.44 dB 4:11 10-Egg Shaped Fred
DR8 -0.01 dB -10.29 dB 14:41 11-Dark Mavis/An Open Letter to the Lyrical Trainspotter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks: 11
Official DR value: DR7

 

Paul Draper’s voice. Which makes it impossible to argue the case for their obvious excellence.

Same for many other bands I love, alas…

 

I think his voice is unique but he has (had) amazing range. He's like Scott Weiland in that he can sound completely different at different times.

I listened to the purple vinyl yesterday. Pressing is mostly great minus a couple repeating clicks between MOLS and Taxloss, but nothing bad enough that I'll return it. As for the sound, definitely crankable but not audiophile. Better than the CD though! I'll have to listen more though!

 

Hmmm, Taxloss and Wide Open Space are my two co-favorites . The video premise for Taxloss was a brilliant one-off stunt as well .

 

Your name reminds me that I've instituted a "no Steely Dan rule" in the house.

 

Any more reviews on the vinyl?

 

Well I’ve heard the stereo CD remaster (sorry not the 5.1) a couple of times now, and the original again. To my ears it’s a strange remaster - ‘loudness’ wise it seems the same, as I said in my last post that is a bit of a disappointment really, as the production seems pretty good. There is a bit more clarity and welcome bump in the bass and drums, but other elements seem at the same time a bit more brash and distorted, and harder on the ears at volume. The combo of my Dacmagic plus (with old Cambridge CD player as a transport) and my dyaudio speakers does deliver and upfront and analytical sound generally which may not ‘help’ this remaster. The original disc is marginally ‘warmer’ and less brash, with less clarity in some of the more subtle layers.
So a bit disappointed - maybe less so with a dream upgrade (for my budget at least) to Tannoy xt6f speakers...
Or a record deck of course! Mildly concerned about the Six remaster.

 

Ugh, the stuff I miss out on if I don't get on here enough (could we get a sub-forum of music after 1980, so Beatles, Stone, Led etc. won't dominate).
I love Mansun. One of the only bands that hold up from the brit-pop time, even thought they remind of Japan from their first LP. I'm gonna to have to track this down

I sweating the thought of a Six reissue.

 

I understand exactly what you are saying here. It's like the faults and ridiculousness of Six make it more loveable as it feels more human and vulnerable. The whole heart on sleeve ridiculousness of it has a real endearing quality to it.

And as much as I do like Radiohead, I can feel they leave me cold at times as well, and you have probably encapsulated the reason why.

 

He’s released a full live version of Attack of the grey lantern.
Live at the ritz it’s called

 

anymore reviews of the vinyl, and how it compares to the original, would be appreciated

 

just got the remastered lp. i dont have a first press lp to compare, but compared to my first pressing cd, it is night and day. the separation and the "breathing air" in the remastered lp, is astonishing. i am bound to get the six remastered lp now

 

Spent some time with CD remaster. It is more engaging with its clarity boost. The bass underpins it all well in a way I’ve not noticed before. But it’s still too loud! When there’s a lot of layers of music, it’s a bit intense when loud - and this is well layered album in many places.
I don’t know it’s DR rating, but I reckon a few numbers higher would have been amazing - wish I had a record deck and this on LP.
That said im glad I got the box set. The remaster is a little bit better - the real bonus though is the Dead Flowers Reject disc. It’s bloody brilliant..

 

Rekindling this thread... I got the purple AotGL and green Six (as well as the CD/DVD special editions and the Draper solo LPs), in time for the Paul Draper #TimsTwitterListeningParty and super pleased. Had the UK CD of Attack and US of Six which were always on my playlist. The vinyl editions sound amazing to me - and with some of the layers feeling a little muddled it benefits when I roll in some warmer 1959 GE5751s. To think a little co like Kscope can bang out decent pressings yet I get pops and clicks on practically everything else. And Yes, Dead Reject is brill

 

A vinyl edition of Dead Flowers Reject is in the works for the upcoming Record Store Day events.

At this point, is anyone really excited about a Little Kix or Kleptomania reissue? Can’t say it’s really anything I’d pay money for, personally.

 

I think I would get them. I don't have either - just stream them today. Hope to get my hands on a DFR vinyl on RSD. It's not coming to the US so will have to get one from secondary market

 

There's definitely a Little Kix box coming, but not till next year. First up is a Mansun live box, then Draper's new solo album. He has a deal with kscope to get all Mansun's back catalogue 'back out there'. So there will be plenty to pick and choose from I guess.

 

If it's any consolation, Stripper Vicar, Wide Open Space and Taxloss are more dynamic on their respective single releases (all around DR9).