@uberwaltz - I hope you enjoy The Alarm records. As you know, I'm a huge fan. I like the songs, old and new, and I like the person - Mike Peters. I think he is very genuine and uplifting. He's a great songwriter and a pretty darn good guitarist. When I've seen the band live, Peters seems to be genuinely happy to be there performing for the fans. His current band is also fantastic.
I can't really comment on the sound quality of the records. I'n a music lover first and I don't let sound quality affect my enjoyment of the music. From memory, the old stuff is typical 80's rock SQ, but fantastic songs. The sound quality of the new stuff is better, but I don't like the song structures as well as I like the older stuff (can say the same about most bands that have been playing for 30+ years). However! I can say that when The Alarm plays the new songs live, intermixed with their old standards, they all come off as equally excellent and cohesive.
BTW, I'm already looking to see when The Alarm will be back in the US for a tour. I'll be going to see them again next time they come 'round.
