I've just unwrapped mine, like an impatient child.
As a package, it looks excellent.
The printing and colour is much better, and although there are no new images from that time, you do get to see the original graphics from the booklet, without being covered with typography, and they do look rather lovely.
I don't like the bendy CD-tray though - it's a good job I'll be mostly playing digital versions of this, otherwise it probably won't last long!
Anyway, my first impressions on the revamped tracks...
Nightlife... I was kind of expecting a 'new' version of the LFAR version, but no. It's the original with a load more synths in it. Although I initially didn't like the new sound on the first riff that kicks in, there is a really good new riff (how many riffs in this song??!) that prevents the track from being as minimal and repetitive.
Invisible Women... the intro has been made a lot creepier, and the "Underpass" melody has been boosted with a second synth layer. It does sound more Underpassy, but it also sounds less static, thanks to some reverb, and behind each verse is a high pitched sound that almost sounds like scraping metal. It has a longer and more gradual ending too.
This was actually the track that inspired me to start making my own electronic music, so it's interesting for me to hear this revamped version.
Cities of Light 5... anybody who bought "Glimmer" will have heard this already... minimal differences.
Automobile... you're sucked into this track by a sucky noise at the start. There's some nice new bits of percussion at the chorus, and a new wobbly synth in the second verse. Halfway through a new, much-needed bass synth kicks in. Nice. Overall this version is more layered than the original, and these layers gradually build up throughout the track.
Listening to these tracks, I suppose it does beg the question as to why the other tracks were left as they were. Maybe it's because these bits are new that they stand out much more now and the old versions sound like they're missing something in comparison. If anything I think that "Uptown/Downtown" could have used a little post-production.
It's difficult to assess whether any of the tracks are any better for it, this may depend on personal preference. Having been used to the originals for so long, it's a bit strange to suddenly hear these new bits, though having said that, there's nothing radically different at all; just new layers and sounds here and there. I think the only track which actually has any new musical parts as such, is Nightlife.
And then we have two previously unreleased the bonus tracks.
It's interesting to hear how similar Screenplay is to "Cinemascope". The melody and lyrics are very much alike - it's almost like a continuation of the track. Reminds me also of something from Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express.
Thoughts on "twilight Room" to follow...
Andreas
