The (record) Needle and the Damage Done: Neil Young’s Vinyl Reissues have ruined my ears (for good)
I played each one in its entirety front to back using my Sennheisser headphones. Those headphones plus this 180 gram super vinyl was a surreal experience. I don’t think I could have enjoyed it more if I listened to it through my third friggin’ eye…If I had one.
You are going to think I sound like a complete punter, but that first run through of these albums was like an ear-rebirth. The sound was so up in my head that it felt like Neil was in my face and was singing through it.
The depth in the music felt like aural topography. “Words” was another experience altogether. I have listened to that a couple dozen times since last Thursday. It is INTENSE. Has anyone else heard this out there? Am I wrong? Tell me otherwise.
Whew. I wish I could share it via this blog, but shit video won’t do. In fact, nothing is good enough. I am spoiled rotten now.
Neil Young put out 17+ albums (including these reissues on vinyl) this year and I bought EVERYTHING. I even bought the BluRay Archives. I think this tops it for pure, I feel like I am falling through space and time, maybe I just died, someone pour me another drink, king-of-all sound listening experiences.
Thank you Neil’s sound team. Thank you Neil’s Muses. Thanks, Ol’ Neil. These grooves rip.
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Great blog post…I really liked the vids and esp. the assembly line…I bet it is just total ear-gasm. I am starting to understand the vinyl sound as well…but I definately think you need top-notch earphones to get it. I will have to think of “oxygen” next time…for me so far I hear warmth and depth…
Warmth and depth for sure, @Rekx. The earphones are the best for finding your way in the sound.
Gah!! You make me want to fork out mucho dinero for good headphones and all this Neil Young vinyl!
@ickmuisc Pete, you may want to chalk the purchases to an early xmas gift set for yourself. It is well worth it
I’m afraid a 52″ tv and a Wii have already taken up the “early Christmas present” slots this year (it started in April).
@ickmusic that trumps vinyl & headphones
Man, I have to figure this out. I have 2 sets of speakers: 1 connected to my computer and 1 connected to the Sonos & the TV. Our record player is a piece of crap so I’m never enticed to listen to anything analog, but you’re making me feel like an idiot for not already having rectified that situation. Perhaps I too will be a born-again audiophile soon, baptized in a vinyl river…it’s worth it, eh?
@dopeburger Dope: I’m no audio nut. I still can’t tell you exactly why 180 gram vinyl is better than 140. What I can tell you is that I love listening to the vinyl sound. I’m sucked in…I love flipping it over and listening to from A to B. Bits & Bytes of music is great for convenience. When I want to sit down, get sucked in and pull a few beers…I put on the black beauties.