Got it yesterday, and have now listened a few times. Before I start on that, a few words about the overall presentation.
It's very very nice. The original artwork has been restored (just a difference in the lettering colour and a slighly different Black October logo, but it matters, dammit) which is a very good first impression. It'ss stylish, with all of the original photos (and a few new ones) included. Also some copies of Von's handwritten lyrics and recording studio documents, in nice grey and black. It's nice to look at and nice to own.
"Logic" is no more - it's now called "Amphetamine Logic" on the back cover.
The disc continues on the minimalist and stylish theme, being matt black with just the title and an MR logo in grey, and very little else.
The booklet is nice too, containing a history of the band up to this point written by Michael Bonner of Uncut magazine. The dreaded G word is only mentioned twice. Seems reasonably accurate. Von will probably hate it.
These reissues easily have the best presentation of any Sisters release ever. Which bodes well for the music within.
And which is an awful shame, as the "remastering" is not well done on this one. Volume levels and channel balance wildly vary. The vinyl is still far superiour if you have a decent TT.
Yes, they are - for the most part - the original mixes. NTTC is the same one that you'll know from Overbombing if you don't have the 12". FALAA has the reverse drum intro. It's a small quibble, but Marian has it's intro "ping" in both channels, not in the left only (as it should be).
The bonus track B sides are nice to have on CD at long last, although a double set including the Body & Soul 12" and some more demos/outtakes would have been preferable. Maybe with the 2 compilations deleted we'll get a box set?
If you're new to the Sisters this is the version to get, no question; despite the problems it's still better than the remixes. If you don't have the B sides (or don't have a TT) you'll want it for them - they're decent tunes.
Which brings me to the reason us old-timers will really want it - the Stranger demo. It's obviously a demo in terms of sound quality, though still reasonably clear. Some extra lyrics in the first few lines (it starts with "In England in the morning I haven't slept for days" - continuing the lack of sleep theme from other songs) and most of the first few verses ommitted. Von sounds VERY emotional on this one - could it be the famous version with him crying on it? I dunno.
Overall, if I wasn't a completist and was short on the funds, and wasn't too concerned about supporting the band either, I probably wouldn't have bought this. I seriously expected better quality in the remastering, and I don't see it replacing my vinyls in a hurry. Oh well.
