I have been a Queen fan since the '70s, although I have never had much time for the new incarnation, sans Freddie. Despite this, for one reason or another, my collection of Queen CDs has been largely forgotten, tucked away in a cabinet in another room. At the weekend I became aware of Innuendo playing in the background at a pub and thought: "Blimey, I've not given that a listen in a while - must dig it out!"
Last night, home alone, I extricated my stack of Queen CDs and slipped Innuendo into the 'player. I was really looking forward to enjoying Freddie and the lads giving my ears a sonic massage. Was I ever disappointed? OK, so the Spanish guitars and Freddie's lyrics came across well, but the remainder seemed a muddled mess, lurking quite sulkily in the bottom centre of the soundstage. The rest of the album continued on in much the same vein - OK, but not the musical feast I had hoped for.
I began to think there is something very wrong with the system (and I do know there are some limitations). I enjoy a wide cross-section of music, and rock (progressive and metal) features in there, although usually confined to the CD-player in the car. Much of what I have listened to recently has emphasised the current set-up's ability to convey albums by Mike Oldfield, Melody Gardot, Gordon Giltrap and Paul Simon, but have I missed a trick with the heavier side of things? Or have I just chosen a less than ideal example of the rock genre for proving that my hi-fi can pick up and run with a good section of music?
I read somewhere on these forum pages that the recent(ish) remastered Seconds Out CD by Genesis is a well-produced album. Perhaps I can dig that one out when I get the chance. Another possibility is Dream Theater - I have several of their albums somewhere - is the production on these considered to be worthy? As I say, much of my rock collection has been confined to the car stereo in recent years and not graced a decent hi-fi system since being purchased!
Last night, home alone, I extricated my stack of Queen CDs and slipped Innuendo into the 'player. I was really looking forward to enjoying Freddie and the lads giving my ears a sonic massage. Was I ever disappointed? OK, so the Spanish guitars and Freddie's lyrics came across well, but the remainder seemed a muddled mess, lurking quite sulkily in the bottom centre of the soundstage. The rest of the album continued on in much the same vein - OK, but not the musical feast I had hoped for.
I began to think there is something very wrong with the system (and I do know there are some limitations). I enjoy a wide cross-section of music, and rock (progressive and metal) features in there, although usually confined to the CD-player in the car. Much of what I have listened to recently has emphasised the current set-up's ability to convey albums by Mike Oldfield, Melody Gardot, Gordon Giltrap and Paul Simon, but have I missed a trick with the heavier side of things? Or have I just chosen a less than ideal example of the rock genre for proving that my hi-fi can pick up and run with a good section of music?
I read somewhere on these forum pages that the recent(ish) remastered Seconds Out CD by Genesis is a well-produced album. Perhaps I can dig that one out when I get the chance. Another possibility is Dream Theater - I have several of their albums somewhere - is the production on these considered to be worthy? As I say, much of my rock collection has been confined to the car stereo in recent years and not graced a decent hi-fi system since being purchased!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram