Sonic Grade: D
There is a Mobile Fidelity Half-Speed Mastered version of this album currently in print, and an older one from the days when their records were pressed in Japan (#052).
We haven’t played the latter in years; as I recall it was as lifeless and sucked-out in the midrange as many of the other famous MoFis of that period, notably The Doors (#051) and Trick of the Tail (#062). Is there any doubt that the new MoFi will be every bit as bad or worse?
If any of our Hot Stamper customers have purchased the current release, I would be interested in hearing how you think it stacks up against our Hot Stamper pressings.
What’s key to the sound of Foreigner’s records? Obviously the big one would have to be ENERGY, a subject we have discussed at length here on the site. Next would be punchy ROCK BASS, followed by clear, present vocals. Those would be the big three.
But those are qualities that are almost never found on audiophile Half-Speeds. The remastering of those records almost always leaves them lifeless and compressed, with sloppy bass and recessed vocals.
For some reason audiophiles — including the audiophiles who produce them — like that sound. We do not. In fact we can’t stand it. Which is why we will not be auditioning MoFi’s remastered pressing. If you are feeling adventurous (and have $30 to throw away) and want to do the shootout for yourself, please let us know how it goes.
TRACK LISTING
Side One
Hot Blooded
Blue Morning, Blue Day
You’re All I Am
Back Where You Belong
Love Has Taken Its Toll
Side Two
Double Vision
Tramontane (Instrumental)
I Have Waited So Long
Lonely Children
Spellbinder
FURTHER READING on the subject of Half-Speed Mastering
If you are buying these modern pressings, take the advice of some of our customers and stop throwing your money away on Heavy Vinyl Pressings and Half-Speed Mastered Records.
People have been known to ask us:
How come you guys don’t like Half-Speed Mastered records?
At the very least let us send you a Hot Stamper pressing — of any album you choose — that can show you what is wrong with your copy. And if for some reason you disagree that our record sounds better than yours, we will happily give you all your money back and wish you the best.
To learn more about records that sound dramatically better than any Half-Speed ever made (with one rare exception, John Klemmer’s Touch), please consult our FAQs:
More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below you will find our breakdown of the best and worst Half-Speed mastered records we have auditioned over the years.
Half-Speed Mastered Mediocrities
Half-Speed Masters – The Complete List
New to the site? Start here.