Simple Minds – Sparkle In The Rain

Original German pressing catalogue number 205-913. I really can't believe how bad this record sounds. It claims proudly "Direct Metal Mastering" on the cover but the sound is thin, compressed and muffled. The treble is completely overdriven, the bass is wobbly and the levels seem to change during the tracks. As for the music, I've never heard such dismal, pompous, empty guff.
It's amazing that this is the same band that a couple of years earlier laid down one of the greatest tunes of the 80's namely New Gold Dream. And the cover of "Street Hassle" must count as one of the worst and most inappropriate covers of any song ever.

Giving it a spin now for the first time since buying it ages ago for a euro or two. Wow, pretty rough pressing. Down there with the worst

'Book Of Brilliant Things' sounds, er, brilliant. It's a
band very close to my heart.

This was the turning point album I think for many, well me for certain anyway - don't rate it that much. I had this on cassette back in the day, it was one of the worst sounding tapes I had - activating Dolby NR on it just made it even more muffled.

Listening to these new mixes, in particular the 2024 DTS-MA 5.1 version - it's clear the recording itself was pretty poor sounding to begin with. Everything sounds muffled like it was actually recorded direct to cassette, especially the drum tracks.

This disc probably makes the best of it - but it can't hide the fact it always sounded like crap

Steve Wilson’s 2014 stereo mix is much better here as the mastering uses far less compression.

Three decent dynamic stereo mixes here but I think both the 2014 and 2024 mixes are better than the original.

The 2024 mix is the best mix in of detail and separation, there is far more space but it does mean a less dense sound overall resulting in an overall different sound compared to the original.

The 2024 mix avoids sounding muddy and is now my preferred mix

Update:

The 2024 stereo mix is absolutely fantastic and is simply amazing and by far my preferred mix.

Blu-Ray disc authoring people - please stop adding menu music to these, there really is no need for it

This is the best I've heard this album sound, and it's not even close versus the original vinyl pressing and early '00s remastered CD. Not sure which master this is pressed from, but they seem to have finally gotten it right. Even "Up On The Catwalk" sounds pretty good.

Quiet pressing, but unfortunately the music is veiled, shrill and sibilant with muddy low end. Hope they atoned for this dud on the 2015 remaster...

This is a kind of slimmed down release from the 2015 box set with no DVD. wtf Universal Music who call this release a "40th Anniversary release"?

My original was a poor pressing and production. Sadly, this album is identical to the original. Pressing may be ok, but the initial recording in the studio is probably the worse I have heard. Shame the Abbey Road boffins did not polish this album up.