X (the Los Angeles band) to reissue its first 4 albums starting 2/22/2019

Thanks for replying. I think scotti was reviewing the vinyl, not the CDs.

I have a friend who wanted to know about the Fat Possum CD reissues.

 

I have added this to my Discogs wantlist:

X - LA+Wild Gift compilation cd
Slash records
1988
925771-2

Can anybody recommend this mastering? Thanks in advance.

 

I actually had this and sold it when the 2001 (?) remasters came out. I vaguely remember it not sounding as good as the remasters, hence, my decision to sell. I've not checked Dr.Loudness-war.info site for their take, nor others' opinions, but it sounds like you've heard better things about this CD than I remember. Good luck.

 

I concur. I recall the original twofer CD sounding kind of anemic. YMMV.

 

Granted, none of those first 4 LPs were sonic wonders, and I'm guessing they were not meant to be, given what X was all about, but it seemed reasonable that some improvement was still obtainable. Same thing with Husker Du; great music, but don't expect Aja.

 

Well, Slash vinyl originals are actually quite good!

 

Nothing special indeed, had it and exchanged it for the 2001 remasters. They did sound better, had full artwork and bonustracks. The old twofer is quite a barebones affair. According to Discogs it's also super cheap so if you manage to find the longbox you might consider it for the collection.


Strange how often I bought these two albums btw. Twofer, 2001 remasters, Rhino vinyl and eventually original Slash pressings when a guy at a fair had both in like new condition for 40 bucks. Guess it was not a bad deal.

 

Sure, they're not audiophile recordings, but the Slash/Elektra original vinyl pressings have some special mojo. Of course that's based on the fact that that was the first way I heard them. If I want to take a step closer to "audiophile", I play the Porterhouse vinyl reissues that were supervised by John Doe. They're pretty ballsy and have more bass punch than the original vinyl, in a good way. Of course that's becuase the bassist supervised the mastering! LOL!

 

Any views on the best CD for the album "Los Angeles"? Or any greatest hits type album containing the track "Los Angeles"? I have no turntable setup.

 

I never heard the Powerhouses but the first US pressing of "Los Angeles" is definitely better than the Rhino reissue.

 

Is there an Audio Fidelity "X" CD? Does it have "Los Angeles" on it? Thanks

 

I have never seen one, and looked on Discogs briefly and did not notice any MF/AF's etc cd's in their catalog.
Fat Possum Records would be the way to go if you like the remastered route; have not heard them though.

 

Oh it's just in your earlier post you mention "audio-fidelity". I now realise I think you meant fidelity as in sound quality, rather than AF the record label.

 

^^That's right.

 

They sure were great.

 

+1 I always considered X albums to be "audiophile" punk albums, compared to something like Inflammable Material by Stiff Little Fingers or early Minutemen or Husker Du albums.