The Beatles 1964 US Albums In Mono - Full Review

[-dman]

Wow. 1st off I'm happy you got the issues sorted okay. I'm as cynical of Apple as if I'd bought it myself: When you pay that amount, Quality Control ought to mean something - - it's down to Apple to commission the right ppl for pressings & mixes & supplements.
I'm thinking of getting *HDN new Mono* because I never had the soundtrack, only the album, & though Beatles-related there's a hint of what George Martin's career might have sounded like without them, in terms of orchestration. But you can bet I'm wary.

There's a chance that whenever *HDN SDL* arrives, the *soundtrack* may be one of the discs, & they may follow the *Mono* initiative of *Revolver SDL* . These days, to buy wise, we have to *anticipate* buying double in order to avoid it.
What Apple is going out of its way to do nowadays is manipulate fans into that double-bind, to buy double at every crook in the road. You know how cynical I am by now.
This is easily by a long way the best review of this box set to help make my own decision about all that, so I'm sure glad that you persevere with these Beatles reviews, Brian. One of the wider values of these reviews: viewers don't have to agree about your cost outlay/product decisions & can still find your sharp analysis so valuable that one way or another you save us money or you out us onto something in the nick of time. We win, either side of that line.

Bottom line: I'm as pleased as if I bought it myself that you sorted out a proper replacement because you sure deserve it. Good one!

[billleary]

I got my set last Friday and each record played great. I grew up with these albums and these are a big improvement on the original monos I own. I am glad these records are back in print. This is more of a nostalgia experience as opposed to an audio file experience. If I want the best sounding versions then I can listen to the UK mono but this is more to relive the experiences of the past. Thanks for your review!

[kev]

Great video as always Brian. The bass was not boosted. According to Mastering Engineer Kevin Reeves, the bass was on the master tapes. It was obviously rolled off due to the quality of old turntables. These are NOT audiophile pressings. Comparing them to any UK pressings is like comparing apples and hammers.

[stephenpitcher]

Great video Brian. After listening to Andrew from Parlogram and yourself I’ve ordered “Second Album” and “Something New”
I’m normally a UK only pressing as they are essentially the same as what was released here in Australia

[bertdewil]

Thank you for the video. Nice and interesting review. nuanced…Bought the set yesterday, same feelings, a solid 6 and happy to cherish it like a very listenable peace of arthistory🪲🪲🪲🪲 greetings a Belgium Beatle Fan

[dustincampbell]

Great job, man. I got my set 2 days ago. I've only listened to a few tracks so far. It's definitely cut hot and sounds better than my originals. You're right, it is nice to have clean copies, and as a collector, it's nice to own. However, my UK mono's will still be my go to albums.

[bruceburgess]

Thank you for your very honest review. I have been on the fence about these albums. They are much more expensive up here in Canada for the individual albums. I already have the 2004 and 2006 Capital Albums CD sets, which sound reasonably good for what they are. I have all my Beatles CDs ripped to a hard drive, which makes it much easier to compare the various mixes. Unless the prices drop considerably, I'll probably pass.

[JoeM]

I just went to Walmart and to my amazement, they had all the albums (UNBOXED) except for the "Beatles Story, " which I can live without. They were only $29.97 ea. and individually sealed/wrapped! They're the same ones, made in France. I understand that the price in the box is $43 per album!

[dwcinnc]

I purchased the Target Blue Vinyl. I already have these records that I purchased new in the 1980s. They are the stereo versions. I also have the U.S. Albums box set on CD. I love the physical presentation of this set.

[krisdavis]

Fantastic review! Happy to see your replacement is much better.

[bulldogdave]

The Early Beatles' tracks are 62-63 but the reason it was included is because the songs on it were first released in the US in January 1964 by Vee-Jay.

[ianz]

I heard some people complaining about the stereo fold downs but that really makes no sense. The point of releasing an American box set was to have the record that was originally released in America, or as close to it as possible. The original albums had fold downs so the reissue needed to have them too. There was a huge outcry when the US albums were released on CD using the UK remaster mixes so I guess they couldn't win whatever they did.

[steenr]

Interesting. My parents brought Meet the Beatles home to me in Denmark in 1965. I still have it

[scottgallagher]

When will we see the remaining US albums? Beatles IV, Help!, Butcher Cover, etc...

[nickelias]

Hi Brian, yes, like you said they’re good for what they are. I had to replace mine too and the new ones are better but my favorite “upgrade” for these albums is still the 2004 Ted Jensen(?) cds. I kinda wished now that they just put his work onto vinyl. Happy Thanksgiving !👍

[beasonfilm]

Hey Brian! Love your content. Have you seen Parlogram’s review yet? Some of the groove distortion he heard was resolved by using Y cables in his setup.

[john-lamarca]

If an anniversary Rubber Soul box comes out next year, I hope they include the U.S. version.

[Tweedman]

Hey Brian, Thanks for another great review. I always appreciate your straight forward thoughts.
I do have a question. How do you think the sound compares with the mono versions on the Capitol Albums vol.1 and part of vol.2 cds? If I remember correctly they were also supposed to be from the original Capitol master tapes. Obviously with cds they are not full analogue. But inquiring minds would like to know. LOL

[michaelwas]

Cool review. I ordered two of these through Merchbar back in October, yet to receive them. Haven't heard these Capital releases in 50 yrs, so it should be interesting.

[RTRRV]

I bought the blue Target MTB on release day, last Friday and just received my boxset yesterday... Haven't cracked it open yet, but I definitely will be sometime today to inspect for any flaws. I'm kind of wishing I would've ordered through Amazon now, since returning it due to flaws would be much easier. I got mine through The Sound of Vinyl since there was a 20% off coupon. Hopefully my gamble paid off! 😬🤞

Thanks for the review, and Happy Thanksgiving! 🍻