EARLY ACCESS: BYAMPOD EP 49 - Fugazi Deluxe & More!
Added 2021-09-17 14:01:57 +0000 UTCThis week, we give our review of the Fugazi deluxe edition set... plus pick through some brand new Marillion drama over their Brave album cover art... and address the complaint that BYAMPOD has become too negative!
Comments
Yeah, I've encountered that everything-they-do-is-perfect crowd too. I've never been that! But I'm really glad it chimes with you, Kester.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
2021-09-19 19:20:36 +0000 UTCCheers, James.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
2021-09-19 19:15:55 +0000 UTCHah! There's that parental energy again!
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
2021-09-19 19:15:45 +0000 UTCHi, really enjoyed this episode. Re positivity or not - I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, there is a minority, but very vocal, section of Marillion fans who can only say/post that everything Marillion have ever done is the most fantastic thing ever and every song is utterly incredible. Like you, I don't buy it. I'm utterly obsessed with David Bowie and consider him the greatest human ever, but I'll admit he chucked out some rubbish on occasion. When I first listened to this podcast,I was worried that the tone taken on BYAMPOD would be the relentlessly positive, evangelical kind. If it was, I'd never have listened again. The reason I enjoy it so much is to hear differing opinions on Marillion's output. So keep up the good work.
Kester Roper
2021-09-19 11:02:56 +0000 UTCThe segment of you responding to the letter about the negativity felt like the most comprehensive telling off I've ever had - and I agree with you! Your points are very valid. I felt quite dragged down by the negativity at times, but like...it's sort of unavoidable. I agree massively regarding the Fugazi remix, too. It made me like Incubus, and I didn't like Incubus before at ALL. I'm sad that the 1998 remix has been taken off of streaming services - I miss the Punch and Judy demo! Also sad I can't watch the documentary on the Blu Ray - maybe one day.
Chai
2021-09-18 09:25:01 +0000 UTCThis inspired me to go and have a good old multi format listen-me-do, and I'd agree the new remaster is a massive improvement. The old versions Simon mentioned sound thin and don't have any real dynamics, whereas the new one has done a much better job of the soft/loud contrast and getting the drums to punch through. Interesting what you said about warmth and funkiness. My LP copy of Fugazi is a late '80s repress, and while fantastic it does sound a lot colder and more clinical than the new remaster. Kind of more of its time. If I had to point at the differences I think the new one puts more emphasis on the synth and guitar lines in Assassing, but also the EQ is subtly different which adds to the warmth. On the negative side it feels a bit congested when things get heavy compared to the LP version, and I don't think they've managed to capture the same "and now we will gently fold your eardrums inside your skull" intensity of the drums - but then the digital version isn't going to cover itself in enough dust to construct a small beach diorama for a vole the moment your back's turned, or cause quite such a scene when you attempt to listen to it on the bus. My Script LP (I sound like such a fan here, in reality I own basically nothing outside the Kayleigh trilogy!) is definitely a lot warmer-sounding as well, it's not just the digital copies.
Matt Kimber (Timberwolf)
2021-09-17 21:15:29 +0000 UTCI'm not a Marillion fan, but the podcast has been a great way to wrap my head around why a band strikes a chord with their fans, which I think is fascinating. It's a good inroad into music I've not found a way into before. I've been listening to the albums as they come up on the podcast and I don't think you've been anything other than even-handed with criticism, and it seems pretty warranted with the Castle-era albums.
Grahamf66
2021-09-17 19:22:23 +0000 UTCI also noticed the original mix of Fugazi has now been removed from streaming services. However, you can still hear the original mixes of Assassing and Punch and Judy on Best of Both Worlds. The difference is night and day. Such an improvement. I still think the album is a bit saggy in the middle though.
Simon Lee Tranter
2021-09-17 17:45:56 +0000 UTCLooking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new mix of Fugazi. I've been listening to it for the past week or so. Impressed by the new production. To my ears, it sounds far more muscular and nuanced than the original mix.
Simon Lee Tranter
2021-09-17 15:58:09 +0000 UTCMarillion conventions on the moon? Did you make sure to take Tony Harris with you when you went there? :P I should totally put this in a letter, and I do keep on meaning to write in but never feel I have anything interesting to say but guess i should start with I love the podcast, you two do a great job :P As far as you both being negative goes, I for one definitely appreciate your honesty when it comes to these albums. I think at times, maybe there has been a harshness but at the same time you both back it up with reasons as to why you feel that way and that's all you can really ask people to do. If you were just slagging it off without reason then yeah, maybe it'd be annoying but most of your criticisms are backed up and reasonable, even if there is the odd one or two I don't necessarily agree with. (Although none spring to mind right now)
James Moorehead
2021-09-17 15:05:01 +0000 UTC
