Chad Comello

John Lennon

  • Sgt. Better: ‘Lonely Hearts Club Band’ remastered

    By no means am I an audiophile. Play an MP3, ACC, and WAV file of the same song back to back and I most likely couldn’t tell the difference. (Correction: I definitely couldn’t tell the difference, having failed this quiz.)

    But when I listened to the newly remastered 50th anniversary edition of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, I could tell the difference.

    That’s because this new edition does more than just reformat the original tracks. Since the original album was configured for mono rather than stereo, the mix when played in two speakers or earbuds is often awkwardly lopsided. This new version was remixed from the ground up, using the original master tapes to create a balanced sound that’s optimized for our modern stereo ways.

    (Looks like #BetterTheBeatles goes beyond this blog.)

    That’s what I read anyway. I wanted to listen for myself to hear just how different the mixes were. After loading up both versions, I eschewed my typical earbuds and opted for my Sennheiser headphones to go back and forth between the old and new cuts. Even my simple ears noticed a huge difference.

    Play, for example, the original version of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. Notice the opening organ only comes through one ear. This is the version we’ve had to live with for 50 years, until now, where the notes in the remix float evenly across the soundscape.

    Paul’s melodious bass lines and Ringo’s drumming are the overall winners of this remix. On top of the overall songwriting prowess, those two elements are what make Sgt. Pepper’s such an aurally rich and relistenable experience.

    Would that they performed this sonic sorcery on every Beatles album!

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  • Soundtrack of the moment, part III

    Haven’t done one of these in a while. Since the last one, I’ve tightened my music collection dramatically so as to eliminate the stuff I don’t listen to, as well as the stuff I had just for the sake of having. Here it goes…

    “I’m Waiting for the Day” – The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
    Pet Sounds has grown on me. At first I thought it was overrated, but after repeated listenings, I can’t get enough of it. Now if I can only get the vinyl…

    “Your Mother Should Know” – The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
    Such a catchy melody. Tight composition and easy to listen to over and over again.

    “Prelude/Angry Young Man” – Billy Joel – Turnstiles
    I’m so glad I’ve discovered more of Billy Joel’s catalogue. His late ‘70s music is among the best of all pop music.

    “Jesus” – Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
    From a former pop punk rock band comes this thoughtful, heavy-hitting tune in an album worthy of decade-best lists. A great spiritual song from a great rock band.

    “The Greatest” – Cat Power – The Greatest
    I’ve just gotten into female singer-songwriters and I’m lovin’ every minute of it! Down to the bare bones, a la the Plastic Ono Band.

    “Rubylove” – Cat Stevens – Teaser and the Firecat
    Again with the singer-songwriters. This just goes to show that all you really need is a guitar or piano and a voice to make really good music. Check out any of Cat’s stuff.

    “You Are My Joy” – David Crowder Band – A Collision or (3+4=7)
    Listened to this album all the time at summer camp. It flows together well and provides the usual Crowder kick in the upbeat songs, as well as the deep thoughts in the slower ones.

    “When Your Mind’s Made Up” – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – Once
    Such a brilliant movie. Since it’s basically a musical, the songs make it what it is. This song is quite powerful and driving, but you need to see the movie and buy the soundtrack. I hope ‘Falling Slowly’ gets an Oscar nod, and hopefully a win.

    “Bring on the Lucie (Freda Peeple) – John Lennon – Mind Games
    Basically all of John’s solo stuff is great, but this song is especially catchy. I finally have the vinyl as well.

    “Potato’s in the Paddy Wagon” – the Main Street Singers – A Mighty Wind soundtrack
    I think I heard the soundtrack before I saw the movie, but both are awesome. I just love this song’s groove and altogether folksy spirit.

    “Man We Was Lonely” – Paul McCartney – McCartney
    This was the solo album that was released right after the Beatles broke up, and pre-Wings, so it’s good. All the songs are acoustic and stripped down, which is good.

    “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” – Peter, Paul & Mary – Album 1700
    I didn’t know PPM did this song. I love this kind of stuff.

    “Videotape” – Radiohead – In Rainbows
    I’m no Radiohead snob, but it’s a great album overall. I paid a few bucks for it on their website because I wanted to be legit, and I also wanted to reward them for sticking it to the recording industry.

    “Political Science” – Randy Newman – Sail Away
    This song was written in the 1970s, but it is still all too relevant today. Plus, I love Randy Newman. His voice is quite off sometimes, but having just piano and voice for most of it is a plus for me.

    “America” – Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends
    Yet another ridiculous catchy S&G tune. I could listen to their albums all day.

    “Island” – The Starting Line – Direction
    I didn’t think they could top their previous album, but Direction is just flat-out good. It’s different enough from their past work to be progress, yet it sticks to what’s worked in the past, so it succeeds on every level.

    “Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life
    We played this in pep band. It’s such a fun song. I haven’t delved too far into Stevie’s music, but I will eventually.

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  • Soundtrack of the moment, part II

    These are some songs I’m listening to. I think you should too.

    “Lost in Space” – Aimee Mann – Lost In Space
    Such a hauntingly beautiful song. Imagine driving through the desert at night with this whole album on repeat and you have an awesome musical experience.

    “Seize the Day” – Alan Menken – Newsies soundtrack
    Man, I love this movie. If you haven’t seen it and loved it, I will fight you.

    “Hoodwink” – Anathallo – Floating World
    What a mind-blowing album. These dudes mold music into forms never seen before.

    “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” – The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
    Their later stuff is way better than the surf rock stuff they started out with. Check out the entire album.

    “Come Together” – The Beatles – Abbey Road
    One of the coolest and most memorable openers I’ve ever heard.

    “Jesusland” – Ben Folds – Songs for Silverman
    What can I say? The dude knows how to make good music.

    “Trolley Song” – Dave Brubeck – Greatest Hits
    Sounds exactly as the title suggests. This guy is a piano player if I’ve ever heard one.

    “Break on Through” – The Doors – The Doors
    This song always reminds me of Forrest Gump.

    “Tiny Dancer” – Elton John – Madman Across the Water
    Of Almost Famous fame. A really catchy song from a gifted musician, however odd he may be.

    “Belle” – Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams
    This just puts you in a street cafe in Paris. It’s almost too good a song.

    “Mother” – John Lennon – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
    You can tell that it’s a cathartic song for John. I highly recommend all of his solo work, especially Imagine and Mind Games.

    “Waiting on the World to Change” – John Mayer – Continuum
    Am I a sell out if I like John Mayer and his ridiculously catchy tunes? Oh well, it’s a good song with an honest message.

    “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” – Johnny Cash – American V: A Hundred Highways
    The man’s a straight-up badass. This is his last album and a damn good one at that. You can hear the pain in his voice and feel the ache in his fingers.

    “Money” – Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
    In an album that’s basically half instrumental, this song shines through as one of the best.

    “When She Loved Me” – Sarah McLachlan – Toy Story 2 soundtrack
    Man, this song just killed me. An incredible addition to a near-perfect film. If you aren’t in tears by the end, you have no soul.

    “Deathbed” – Relient K – Five Score and Seven Years Ago
    I’m in the minority that think that this album is not their best, in fact, a far weaker effort than mmHmm. But this epic masterpiece stands out amongst the other forgettable songs.

    “Cecilia” – Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
    One of the many infectious folk-rock tunes they created. Get all the albums.

    “Zoo Station” – U2 – Achtung Baby
    I’ve never been a gigantic U2 fan, but I really liked this album.

    “Roundabout” – Yes – Fragile
    A great mix of classical, 70s rock, and psychedelia.

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