Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (Deluxe Box) [Box set, Original recording remastered]

The context of this review concerns the vinyl reissue, played back via my Linn Sondek (Ekos arm and Akiva cartridge). I was concerned from previous reviews that the mastering was going to be flawed due to squeezing too much music onto each side, but in the context of my system there was no inner groove distortion at all or tracking problems. I would suggest to those who have distortion issues that they consider purchasing a better cartridge such as the Audio Technica OC9, which sounds wonderful for the money, and can sail through any challenge. To complain about tracking is like putting cheap tires on your Porsche and complaining that it can't corner well. Back to the reissue though. This is easily the most lavish reissue I've ever purchased, and not bad value at the current price of $65 on Amazon. The box, book, and inner art sleeves are wonderful touches, and the records come in audiophile sleeves which is a nice addition I wish more labels would adopt. The sound is fine, but I don't find it any better than my original CD played back via my Linn Karik transport and Theta Casablanca Extreme DAC. There is a nice warmth to the vocals that the cd lacks, but there is also a hint of even more compression -- if that's possible. In this day and age though, sadly louder must be better. In short, I'm sure this reissue will give me years of pleasure due to its decent sound quality and lavish packaging, but if you're looking for the audiophile version of this keep waiting.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the greatest combination of musical genius ever created. I feel that Billy Corgan achieved Musical Immortality with the earth shattering collection that is these two CDs. A huge collection of all types of rock, so no matter what your flavor, you will find it all in this stunning variety. It's the only album I have ever listened to that I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of the songs. Galapogos, Tonight, Tonight, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Stumbleine, and Zero rank among my all time favorite songs. I completely recommend the collection of B-Sides from this album found in the "Aeroplane Flies High" box set. If you have never heard of the Smashing Pumpkins (Shame, if you haven't) or simply have never picked up this album, do now, as you will enjoy it till the end of time. It's just too bad the greatest band ever formed is no longer around, but their music will live on forever

Not even close to the original 3 LP issue. Even though the original is on 3 LPs instead of 4, the bass is deeper, and less much less sibilance overall. I'd say this is a poor reissue. Nice artwork though.