by The Nightporter on Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:12 am
Although I have not actively been collecting Japan vinyl or collectable items as such for some now, I did take the plunge and buy the 'Quiet Life Delux box-set', probably out of nostalgia if nothing else.
The packaging really is first-class (and probably the highlight for me) bright, crisp and recapturing the mood and tone of those heady days gone by. Even though the marketing blurd described a book, in fact it is a 'booklet' and nothing more athough I did like the vinyl covers display a nice touch I thought.
Anyway, the album itself does sound crisp and fresh although, I confess to not being a expert as to whether it is better than any of the subsequent releases over the years. It does sound good and for me that is all that matters.
I was a little non-plussed at the second disc of remix's etc. mainly because it was Disc 3 that caught my attention from the beginning.....
There has been a lot of comments made about the quality of the Budokan recording, some I think are valid and a lot I think are not. The concert took place a cool 41 years ago now, and on reading the pre-reviews of this release there was perceived outrage at the sound quality, in particular of the audience participation (screaming girls mostly). For myself, this recording is not the disaster that many have cited it as. The tracklisting perfectly illustrates the transition from Obscure Alternatives into the Quiet Life sphere, with a great selection of tracks covering this moment in their evolution. Sure, the sound quality isn't 'Oil on Canvas' or the celebrated 'Polaroid' bootleg, I don't think it was ever going to be, it is exaclty what it is....an audience recording from a time when the humble cassette tape was the beholder of countless concerts in a time before countless recording formats and platforms. A soundbord recording of a concert from those heady days would be great however, I am not holding my breath any of these will be seeing the light of day soon.
So in conclusion, I like Disc 3 and consider it a worthy companion to the 'Quiet Life' album, some will disagree but really, what were people expecting? espacially, as I for one was not expecting to see any Japan related issues like this ever hitting the shelves again. My only criticism is I would of liked to of seen a genuine 'book' containing unreleased photos etc. but you cannot have everything I guess.
(just my 2p).