"Weird Al" Yankovic Complete Works box set*

I wish we knew what their plan was going forward. I already own all of his albums but I really like the fact that the later albums have received better masterings in this set. I also don't want to miss out on the rarities disc that's currently unique to the box. I placed my order; $200 isn't bad at all when comparing the price to my pre-order of the Paul McCartney Flowers In The Dirt deluxe set!

 

I wish there was a digital download included with the vinyl set. (Especially the Hi-Res.) I went ahead bit the bullet and ordered the CD set. Hopefully the dynamic range is comparable to the HDTracks downloads. If not, I will be sending out some angry emails/most certainly wasting my time.

 

We've seen enough HDTracks downloads that were hot, buttered garbage that I'm left to assume that the CDs will at least be sympathetically mastered. I'm looking forward to laying ears on my copy in November!

 

It's not the 2014 mastering. I've uploaded the dynamic range information from the new remasters to the Dynamic Range Database. Here's the comparison:

2014 Release of Mandatory Fun

Code:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Analyzed folder: /Users/Grant/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Music/Weird Al Yankovic/Mandatory Fun
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DR        Peak        RMS        Filename
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 DR7        -0.10 dB     -8.89 dB     01 Handy.m4a
 DR8        -0.10 dB     -9.05 dB     02 Lame Claim to Fame.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -7.53 dB     03 Foil.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -7.27 dB     04 Sports Song.m4a
 DR7        -0.10 dB     -7.92 dB     05 Word Crimes.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -7.15 dB     06 My Own Eyes.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -6.97 dB     07 Now That's What I Call Polka!.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -7.57 dB     08 Mission Statement.m4a
 DR4        -0.18 dB     -5.64 dB     09 Inactive.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -6.52 dB     10 First World Problems.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -7.54 dB     11 Tacky.m4a
 DR6        -0.10 dB     -9.64 dB     12 Jackson Park Express.m4a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Number of files:    12
 Official DR value:    DR6

==============================================================================================

2017 Remaster of Mandatory Fun

Code:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
 Analyzed: Mandatory Fun /  Artist: "Weird Al" Yankovic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
DR    Peak    RMS    Duration    Title [codec]  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
 DR10     -1.52 dB     -13.83 dB    2:56    01 - Handy      [flac]  
 DR11     -1.59 dB     -14.26 dB    3:45    02 - Lame Claim to Fame      [flac]  
 DR9     -1.66 dB     -13.42 dB    2:22    03 - Foil      [flac]  
 DR8     -2.72 dB     -12.27 dB    2:14    04 - Sports Song      [flac]  
 DR12     -1.28 dB     -14.54 dB    3:43    05 - Word Crimes      [flac]  
 DR9     -1.62 dB     -12.79 dB    3:39    06 - My Own Eyes      [flac]  
 DR9     -1.69 dB     -12.22 dB    4:04    07 - NOW That's What I Call Polka!      [flac]  
 DR9     -1.46 dB     -12.69 dB    4:28    08 - Mission Statement      [flac]  
 DR7     -2.05 dB     -11.14 dB    2:56    09 - Inactive      [flac]  
 DR9     -1.64 dB     -11.48 dB    3:12    10 - First World Problems      [flac]  
 DR10     -1.42 dB     -13.41 dB    2:53    11 - Tacky      [flac]  
 DR9     -1.62 dB     -15.04 dB    9:05    12 - Jackson Park Express      [flac]  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
 Number of files:    12
 Official DR value:  DR9
  
 Sampling rate:          44100 Hz
 Average bitrate:          1683kbs
 Bits per sample:          32 bit
  
Dr14 T.meter 1.0.16
==============================================================================================  

 

Any chance Amazon will carry this?

 

The PledgeMusic page makes it sound like that's the only place the box set will be available. I ordered the vinyl edition as I already have the digital files from HDTracks. I'll just have to needledrop the rarities disc.

 

Bummer, I cannot afford to put $200 on my credit card right now, and PledgeMusic says credit cards are charged immediately.

 

Seems like something we could question Al or Bermuda on. Given that I just read that Al has been redoing his whole musical library as FLAC files because they're better sound quality than an MP3, I think he'd be interested to know that the new remaster of "Dare to Be Stupid" is the one bad album of the bunch.

 

This is GREAT news! Could you please tell me if "Inactive" has proper quality and doesn't sound like an ancient 3GP anymore?

EDIT: checked the HDtracks previews, Inactive still has low quality vocals... Well, at least it's not crushed anymore!

 

Happy to report that my mom ordered me the CD set for an early birthday present.

 

May I be the first to say...

 

Thankyou very much!

 

Well, i just caved and ordered the LP set. Looks impressive. Hopefully there's no major issues with the final product come November. Fingers crossed!

 

I ordered the Platinum CD version, I couldn't resist the Weird Al socks.

 

Slightly disappointed with the Medium Rarities track list. Yes, it picks up a lot of the non-album material from the 1990s but it's too heavy on his most recent stuff and ignores a lot from the past.

Glad to see that "Take Me Down" is being included, but where's "School Cafeteria" (b-side to the "My Bologna" Capitol single), the original versions of "Happy Birthday," "Gotta Boogie," and "Mr. Frump" from the Placebo EP, and "Patterns" from the Square One TV show? I would have also liked to see "It's Still Billy Joel To Me" but I understand if they couldn't get the approval.

 

Same here. I am glad that Spy Hard made the cut, though. I foolishly did not buy the Gump CD single for some reason.

I was hoping for Polkamon as well, but I am not surprised that didn't make it.

 

That sounds really disappointing and I agree that those tracks should have been included. Can you tell me what the complete track list is (and a little information about the songs like what eras they're from if you have it)? Thanks!

EDIT- Ah, I found this video.

 

They did get "Take Me Down"! Bravo!
I don't think they should've added those instrumental versions, I guess it's due to completion due to them being Bad Hair Day B-sides, but there may've been more space for other tracks... Or perhaps they couldn't secure others so they went with those instead?

Glad the Wander, MLP and Milo songs are also included! I think the former hadn't been officially released yet

 

I could do with more actual album session rarities / demos and less "Stuff Al recorded for webisodes".

 

Some notable omissions from the 'Medium Rarities' track list:

"SLO Grown" - the track he contributed to the 1978 San Luis Obispo sampler album
"Patterns" - from some kids' show in the 90s.
"Polka-mon" - the Pokemon movie soundtrack
"I Need A Nap" - duet with Kate Winslet
"Al-TV Theme" - from when he'd take over MTV.
"You're Pitiful" - ok, so this would get him in trouble, but maybe as a "hidden" track? ;-)
"Electric Shaver" - from 'The Weird Al Show' (I think)
"It's Still Billy Joel To Me" - home demo from The Dr. Demento Show (I think)
"Hardware Store" (acapella mix)
"I Lost On Jeopardy" (extended mix)
"Spy Hard" (closing credits version) - from the movie soundtrack

 

Well, there's certainly enough material for a Volume 2 at some point down the line at least...

 

SLO Grown was the name of the album. Al's song was called "Take Me Down," and it's on the new compilation.

 

Is there a soundtrack for Spy Hard?

I cannot find it on Amazon or Discogs.

 

No. It's from the "soundtrack to the movie" but there's no album soundtrack release (if that makes sense).

 

I grabbed the audio from the end of the DVD.