Stereolab – Sound-Dust

seems to be pressed a bit hot. a number of tracks have distortion in the right channel, especially noticeable during laetitia's verse vocal on "the black arts." tried recalibrating the cartridge, which is new, but no improvement. happens on both outer and inner grooves.

Surprised no one has posted a review yet, so I'll bite.

This pressing is simply a treat. The remastering is very apparent to me - the clarity, and in particular, the stereo separation. Definitely recommend listening on a good pair of headphones. Instruments pop out of the air and the electronic bloops and bleeps bounce happily back and forth. This is true ear candy. The dizzying array of sounds reminds me of the stereo version of Van Dyke Park's "Song Cycle" lp. At first listen, it can seem overwhelming. Out of all the remastered expanded albums, this one seems to have the most going on in the mix.

Back when the album was first released, I had put off listening to Dust. Cobra came off as the groop's most indulgent recording and I needed to take a break. Once I got around to listening to a cd copy of Dust a friend burned for me, I found I really enjoyed it. This album sounds the most soundtracky, spacey and proggy of all their albums. It also starts out with a dark edge, much like the haunted, psychedelic sounds of Broadcast.

I just got done listening and found it dead quiet and flat. This is easily one of my favorite of the remastered series and certainly one of their best albums. Whether you go for the clear or black versions, don't hesitate to pick it up.