Blog1 min read
On reissues and remasters
Most older albums exist in several versions on streaming. Which one ends up in the room.
Most albums from before about 2005 exist in several versions on streaming services. The original master, a remaster from the 2010s, a deluxe edition with bonus tracks, sometimes a re-recorded version. The differences are usually small and sometimes wildly bigger than you'd expect.
For the rooms here, the version matters more than it should. Remasters from the loudness-war years are often pushed two or three decibels above the original, which sounds 'better' in a short comparison and worse over forty minutes. Where the original master is still available, I usually take it.
Deluxe editions are a separate issue. The bonus tracks were left off the album for a reason, usually a good one. They tend to be the wrong choice for a room because they were the wrong choice for the album. Occasionally a B-side belongs more than the singles did — the rule is per-track, not per-album.
The best service streaming does for older music is making the versions visible. It's worth checking which one you're listening to, especially if a familiar record sounds slightly off. Often it's the master, not your memory.