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Tom Petty "Hypnotic Eye"

I'm a huge fan, IMO, one of the greatest American bands to date. Their lps have always sounded very good. So what's wrong with their latest, (sonically)?

It's obviously trending in the digital direction which somehow has mostly been avoided up until now.

I'm a dedicated analog listener. I realize most of the recent recordings are digitally based. Somehow this latest TP lp is not grabbing me. It lacks SOUL! I love the content, it doesn't grab me as much as "Mojo" did.

Compared to "Mojo", their last lp, "HE" is sterile, bland, while being a record I really want to get into! I'm not tapping my foot/feet, bobbing my head.

128x128slaw
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
The session was recorded 24/48. My LP sounds damned good: uncompressed with detail, separation, layering, width, bass control, and free of surface noise. Above all there is TOTL Petty songwriting and a return to gritty R&R that's been missing from his last few.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,692 posts
 
Dgarretson: Is your copy an import? Mine is. As I've reported (Amazon: SLS) my copy came in as a "sick human in need of rehabilitation". Since I've bought mine, (through Amazon), the price had dramatically decreased.

I was made aware of an "audiophile" version out now. Elusive Disc prices it as $51.99! No way!

I will say, all of the effort I made to bring this lp "back to life" paid off.

The soundstage is still limited to within the inner boundaries of my speakers.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,692 posts
 
One thing I/I think we all have a right to expect from a modern day recording from a well respected artist is a recording that has at least a decent soundstage. If this was released only in mono, I'd be Ok.

There is possibly/maybe differing pressings already? Amazon has dramatically decreased their asking price by over $10.00 since my purchase.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,692 posts
 
My ongoing response has me worried that there may be differing sources for this (lp) already. Highly unusual these days.

In the past, IMO, Dgarretson's posts on lps have mirrored mine. More research needed?

The deluxe version, out now, I think pressed at Bernie Grundman, mastered by Chris Bell is available if one wants to spend ($51.99). (I just ordered the Beatles Mono Box, @ $350.00, it's a MUCH more affordable vinyl history than ONE lp from TP!

I stand by my assessment of my copy of TP's latest. You are all free to spend your money as you wish.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,692 posts
 
I can stand by my assessment that there maybe several pressings out there, already.

I say this partly because of my own evaluation of my pressing (import), and an A'gon member's evaluation of his pressing.

I put on/am currently listening to "Mojo". I've really never had a problem with my pressing of this lp. It has The complete sonic signature is very well represented and enjoyed,

The differing results (have) to be from our listening to 'different pressings'!

IMO, there can be now other reason.
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