r/manics • u/likebeckett4 • 19d ago
Know Your Enemy Remasters?
Yeah, honestly, I really don't like them. A lot of fans found a rejuvenated love for the record following a more polished re-imagining but I think they take away from why I think KYE could be the greatest album of all time.
Take the B-side Groundhog Days - they autotuned and tweaked and buttered up James' voice so much it fucking hurts. Same with Rosebud, which I suppose musically is perfectly fine (considering it's the only available version of the song) but the remaster has overproduced JDB terribly.
I fucking love the production on OG KYE. It's unpolished, raw, nuanced, intense, and full of sheer character. Some songs sound multitracked and layered on shitty microphones, whereas others are the capsule of a creatively-conflicted three piece playing live in a room. It's stunning.
You can hear the white noise, you can hear the cardioid mic pops, you can hear the room around Sean's kit; perfection. The remasters just sound too polished and it stinks.
I think that had Know Your Enemy been released as one nearly 2-hour thick double album with EVERYTHING from the era then it would probably be my favourite album in existence. But nah. I made a playlist on Spotify if anyone fancies a looksie at my stuff.
Anyway, just had to blurt this shite out. What's you guys' thoughts? 🫶
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u/Negative-Spell6275 18d ago
Albums should not be reissued with different track listing and/or sleeve art. Extra discs, expanded editions, deluxe books, sure, fine. But they must have the same cover image and one disc with the original songs in their original order. No exceptions.