So What Do You Think About The Remastered And Repacked Skylarking? Options

[Blushift]

..but I want an Oompa Loompa NOW! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
(or a Skylarking LP set)

[hummingbird]

It hasn't arrived yet here on the East Coast, Otter must have been one of the first to place an order. Per was obviously the first. I have my Techniques turntable ready at home with it's appropriate to a hummingbird hum. Hopefully it will arrive soon...any day now now.

This post has been edited by hummingbird: Dec 9 2010, 09:37 PM

[Lenin McCarthy]

I hear ya Lenin. But I'm not prepared buy a system for this record only. It's obvious you are an audiophile with a sensitive ear for the nuances of recorded music. I am eager to read what you have to say when you have finally played the record. I am just hoping that a non-compressed transfer (to .WAV files) will yield something a little better than what I have on CD already. Mostly I wanted to support Andy and his business, hold an album in my hands again (and all the tactile goodness that comes with it) and perhaps one day spin it on a nice record player if I choose to start buying records again (which may happen).

My credit card was charged by Ape in the first week of November.

WAFFLE MODE ON:

I think it's just personal taste. I think my ear is just attuned to vinyl, because I grew up with it. Dad was a stereo freak. I remember him playing records loud enough that our neighbour gave up banging on the door and barged into the house, and shouted at him to turn it down. He was facing the other way, and couldn't even tell she was there.

Music gradually got less and less exciting for me during the 90's, and after MP3's were introduced I'd find it hard to enjoy listening to music. I'd hear things and think "I should like this more than I do", and i'm including musicians i've followed for most of my life, including, say Neil Finn, whom I've been buying records buy since I was eight and thought Split Enz were my favourite band after the Beatles. Yes, even XTC's last album - stellar writing, but why did I never want to actually put it on?

I can rarely make it through an mp3 album unless it's on earbuds. I used to listen to records for hours as a kid. Music became this polite thing you play at a tiny volume on earbuds, or at a polite volume on your stereo, or in your car. It was easily-ignorable, because it didn't demand to be listened to. I-Pods add to this: You don't have to be selective about listening when you can carry every record you own upon your person. There's always something else fighting for your attention.

So to recently play a record on my new record player, and suddenly realise "this is what has been missing!" was thrilling. To my ears, vinyl adds headroom and definition of instrumental parts, and sounds more exciting the louder it gets. I like actively listening, and have always been fascinated by how things go together, so I can learn for my own work. Vinyl adds that back for me.

For example, I was listening to 'Hello Goodbye' earlier this year, and was struck by the fact that it's the only song I can think of that makes a features out of Violas. It's such a rich, distinctive sound, that I wondered why no-one else had really explored it further. As such, I started writing a Viola arrangement for the song I was working on, using *sigh* samples.

A few weeks later, one of the first records I ordered turned up. 'Aim and Ignite' by Fun. Upon listening, I instantly recognised that Roger Manning Jr's string arrangement on 'All The Pretty Girls', which sounds like synth violins on the mp3 version, were instead real, exceptionally-played, Violas. (Not to the mention bringing out the clarity of the ELO-style backing vocals). And it's not even particularly well-mastered for vinyl!

[Spastic Minnow]

I live about 40 miles away from Otter, ordered the first day of the pre-sale and I still haven't gotten it. The only differences I can think of being that I only ordered one and I also ordered the Tee-shirts when those became available.

...waiting... and I do have a turntable with a USB connection so I'll be able to listen to it on my stereo and recorded MP3's when it does show up.

Although I've never recorded anything with the USB turntable yet, I wonder how it will work.

[Blushift]

I live about 40 miles away from Otter, ordered the first day of the pre-sale and I still haven't gotten it.

Yeah, I thought I put my order in as soon as I got the APE email blast on Oct 25th. I don't know if that was the first day it was available to order, but apparently not soon enough for me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[nightotter]

I don't think there is a method to the madness. I know I didn't order mine the first day it was available for pre-sale. I think I waited a week or two. Sorry. I don't think my friend has received the copy I sent to him.

[Blushift]

What's your address Otter (and what time do you usually fall asleep)? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[Per Aronsson]

Folks, the reason that Skylarking is delayed is out of APE:s control. Snow at the UK airports have caused big problems but is now cleared. So you will have your copies any day now. I had a chat with Andy and he asked me to alert you all about the reason. Nothing he and Steve can do but be patient, it´s well worth the wait. I talked to my pal Jerker that has a copy (we ordered together) and he say that the remaster sounds amazing. Clearer, tighter and heavier. I really long to play it...

[nightotter]

What's your address Otter (and what time do you usually fall asleep)? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


And thanks for the update Per.

[Retrocanary]

I'm coming back to England in the night of the 23rd. Guess what I'll be doing first thing on xmas eve morning...

Well, actually I'll be going round the corner for a fry up! Haven't had one since August! But then straight after that I'm putting the record on!

This post has been edited by Retrocanary: Dec 9 2010, 07:57 PM

[Lenin McCarthy]

I'm coming back to England in the night of the 23rd. Guess what I'll be doing first thing on xmas eve morning...

Well, actually I'll be going round the corner for a fry up! Haven't had one since August! But then straight after that I'm putting the record on!

Hooray! I had an appointment this morning at the usual record delivery time, and returned home to find a card saying I can pick up an international package after 2pm this afternoon from the post office. I've never had to sign for a record before via Amazon or Ebay, so it must be 'Skylarking'.

Argh, three more hours to go!

[nightotter]

Hooray! I had an appointment this morning at the usual record delivery time, and returned home to find a card saying I can pick up an international package after 2pm this afternoon from the post office. I've never had to sign for a record before via Amazon or Ebay, so it must be 'Skylarking'.

Argh, three more hours to go!

So...what happened?

EDIT: never mind, just saw the other thread.

does anyone know if one can delete a post? doesn't seem to be a way.

This post has been edited by nightotter: Dec 10 2010, 11:15 AM

[Blushift]

Has anyone else gotten their copy yet after Keltik got his Monday?

[Spastic Minnow]

Still nothing, got home during lunch in time to meet the mail carrier- I told her that I felt like I was waiting for my Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring.

[Blushift]

Still nothing, got home during lunch in time to meet the mail carrier- I told her that I felt like I was waiting for my Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring.

I hear that, if you play the new version of Dear God backwards, you'll hear "Be Sure To Drink Your Ovaltine" repeated over and over. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[nightotter]

I love Ovaltine!

[favoritething]

Hope this package arrives by the end of next week, because then it gets tricky: we're going away for several days.

[Per Aronsson]

Got it spinning now. Happy times! It´s almost like a new album. Deep bass hidden there. More reflections later. Fantastic to have the stereo working again.

[sheph]

Has anyone else gotten their copy yet after Keltik got his Monday?

I'm still waiting in Idaho, but the weather has been terrible on the east cost. I expect it will show up any day now.

This post has been edited by sheph: Dec 17 2010, 05:52 PM

[Blushift]

Got it spinning now. Happy times! It´s almost like a new album. Deep bass hidden there. More reflections later. Fantastic to have the stereo working again.

This has been confirmed. Reports of earth tremors are coming in from Norway, Finland and as far south as Romania! Share prices of window glass replacement companies in Sweden have tripled in the last 3 hours!