Attack Of The Grey Lantern (21st Anniversary

"Attack Of The Grey Lantern" is one of my favourite albums, but I thought this re-issue could just be another cynical "re-mastering" exercise as with most others.I was wrong.This is a beautifully produced book, bigger than I expected, full of great pictures, snippets etc. Unlike most remastered albums this one is a genuine collector's piece. Brilliant.

Fantastic value for money bought back a lot of memories.

This is the second deluxe edition of Mansun’s fantastic 10/10 debut album ‘Attack Of The Grey Lantern’, following the hard to find 2010 3CD edition that included the b-sides.This, however, is fully remastered and the first in the new series of Mansun reissues on the Kscope label with fantastic packaging (consistent with the limited 3 disc edition of Paul Draper’s Spooky Action).Firstly - the packaging is fantastic. Excellent essays that provide brilliant detail, alongside lots of great pictures and original pieces of artwork, articles, reviews and gig tickets. There is lots to be found here, and the printing is very nicely done with various bits of spot varnishing. The remastering is done well - not too compressed like many modern reissues are, although it’s not a vast improvement as the original was done well. The bonus content is great too, the demos and alternate versions are extremely interesting listens, not just the dull demo versions you usually encounter on these reissues. The BBC sessions on disc three are also nice to finally have officially, with some great performances. The DVD includes the 5.1 mix of the album (haven’t listened) and the videos from the album’s singles (or EPs).I was disappointed that the set did not go for the completist angle like I wish it would - the two discs of fantastic b-sides are not included here, despite being some of the band’s best material. Furthermore, I’ve heard that not all of the era’s BBC sessions are included here which is disappointing seeing as there is extra room on the disc. Another minor quibble is that the alternate version of ‘Thief’ from Kleptomania is not included. The DVD should have also included the non-album video for ‘Closed For Business’ in my opinion, along with television appearances and live material. A live CD would have been nice too.So despite the sad omissions (which could be rectified in a b-sides set, live set and BBC set), as a deluxe package this 21st Anniversary edition satisfies completely, particularly with the packaging. Roll on the 21st anniversary edition of Six!

The product is excellent and all this for £20 delivered. Bonus was it was signed and I didn’t see this in the item description.The only negative was the courier packaging from Amazon. There wasn’t anything. It just came in shrink wrap with a postage label stuck to it. No protection whatsoever and the product obviously was clearly displayed through the transparent wrap. Why?Luckily it wasn’t dinged on the corners but really not good enough.

We are the Boys on here would of made it 6 stars. But it's on Little Kix so will wait for this reissue. Awesome album 20 years on the effort to connect the songs alone is brilliant. She Makes My Nose Bleed and You Who Do You Hate are wonderful. This band is so much more than Wide Open Space which is the most popular track they are known for treat yourself.We are the boys... Reissue in 2019 please

As you'll see noted in the other review, the surround mix here is really not very good at all. Why 2 stars for the set? Because the 5.1 mix was the sole reason I was excited for this so that holds a lot of weight, but additionally the entire set has overly-aggressive dynamic range compression applied. (the loudness wars)I am not too familiar with PDub's surround mixes but have heard he did the Bjork surround titles - in a webcast he stated that you put effects in the rears, vocals in the center...which would be FANTASTIC (vocals in the centre channel to me is the #1 rule of surorund mixing), but then he has done nothing of the sort! The lead vocal often doubles through the entire soundfield. THat's what I have "ALL CH STEREO" button for on my surround receiver. Jeez.But in case you think it's just myself and this other reviewer dismayed at the 5.1 mix, here are some select comments from a couple online forums where fans of both surround music and audio quality in general post. The QQ stands for the QuadraphonicQuad forum and SHTV stands for the Steve Hoffman forums:QQ gazzaworcs - "Just gave the 5.1 it's first spin and first impressions I'm disappointed. For me the mix is a bit cluttered and too front focused. There was a real opportunity to use the rears to open up the mix, which is very layered and complex and give it some space but on first hearing it sounds rather harsh and a bit distorted. It's also mixed too bright in my opinion , I had to turn the treble right down, the bass is also a bit all over the place. First impressions it's a missed opportunity as I was expecting so much more"QQ rtbluray - "Initial 5.1 mix impressions are not favorable at all. If anyone thinks Sgt Pepper is tame and boring, they need to listen to this to hear what a very boring 5.1 mix REALLY sounds like"QQ svengaleekie - "Just having another listen with the volume up (the neighbours are all out) it's not overly adventurous with the surround but it's not a total loss either"QQ von kulper - "And... three songs in... Am I listening to pro-logic?? What the hell is this?? There is just nothing interesting going on here, despite plenty of material that could have easily made for an interesting surround experience. Surrounds are basically just echoes of the front speakers, with a few kind of discreet moments peppered throughout. What a wasted opportunity. Why did they even bother? Might as well just put the CD in and turn on the PL.Not only that, the sound is just... off. No punch or impact. It's like there's a hole in the soundfield. THUMBS DOWN.This might be the lamest surround release I've heard from @Kscope - which Kscope is usually a good indicator of a solid release..."SHTV GregE240 - "Listened to excerpts of the 5.1 this morning. Left me a bit unexcited, really. The rears aren't really used for much, at least, not in what I listened to (Chad, Lovesong, Taxloss). Perhaps I've been spoiled by Mr Wilsons excellent skills in this arena, but I'm afraid it was a bit average."On the remaster:SHTV Silverwolf - "Listening to CD now, arrived today. Might take a few listens for a full opinion. It’s about as loud as the original (a disappointment even on my modest hifi set up...) but that said there is a lift in the bass, and bit more clarity in the drums and guitars (especially acoustic), and I’m hearing a few bits that are new to me. Sounds like a minor improvement, so not a waste of money for me as I’m a fan, but would have preferred a more dynamic, bit quieter master truth be told. I hope Mr Draper has chat with his friend Steven Wilson before ‘Six’ is remastered... "Personally I'm excited to hear that Mr. Draper confirmed on Twitter to someone that the vinyl release of Six will be CUT FROM the original tape, which is what should have happened with the Attack vinyl to avoid the aggressive mastering which often seems to creep in with digital.Don't get me wrong, this is a fab 4~5-star album, but the 5.1 mix and the mastering here are disappointing to quite a few

今回、レビューを書くにあたり、自分のこれまでの入手履歴を確認してみました。これまでに発表当時のオリジナルのアルバム全てと、下記の編集盤を入手。（当時シングル集めもしたことがありますが、現在は処分してしまいました。）現役活動時に３枚だけのオリジナルアルバムを残したバンドにしては、解散後に発表された編集盤の異様な充実ぶりを感じます。Kleptomania(3CD) [2004]Legacy : The Best Of Mansun (CD+DVD) [2006]Attack Of The Grey Lantern (3CD Collector's Edition) [2010]Six (3CD+DVD) [2019]　→レビュー済みClosed For Business: Ultimate Mansun Collection (24CD+DVD & Book)[2020]　→レビュー済みただ、いずれも発売後、すぐに購入したわけではなく、アマゾンのかごに入れっぱなしにしておき、安くなった頃合いを見て購入するようにしてきました。そのようにして、おそらくデラックス版のコンプリートとなる本作Attack Of The Grey Lantern (3CD+DVD) [2018]を入手しました。一人のやや熱心なファンとして僭越ながらレビューさせていただきます。　CD１　オリジナルは1997年に発表であり、リマスター効果についてはあまり感じません。エフェクトがかかったPaulのボーカル、統一感のあるストリングス、アレンジが、２０年以上の時を超越し、古さを感じさせません。CD２　Demos, Rarities & OuttakesSix (3CD+DVD)でもデモ等の音源集があり、高く評価をしましたが、この音源集も良いです。音質はまちまちですが、単なる寄せ集めの音源集ではなく、アルバム単位で楽しめるものです。Paul Draperの声が本編より若く感じます。（最近のソロでは、高音はすっかり出なくなりましたね。）また、アコーステック色が強い、リラックス感があるという印象を持ちます。全体として、アルバム本編での緊張感や緊迫感からほど良く解放されており、オフレコ的な気楽さ、親しみやすさを感じます。また、本編とはかなり違う印象を持つのは、リードギターのDominic Chadの存在感です。本編ではPaulの歌声の陰に隠れる（ボーカルや数々のエフェクトを強調したプロデュースのためか）ように聞こえるChadのギターが、デモ音源では、饒舌にギュンギュン鳴っています。Chadはこんなにギターがうまかったのかと再認識。おかげで本編の聞き方も変わります。CD２には、ボーカルなしのデモも複数あるのですが、演奏が良いのでインストとして十分に聞くことができ、だるさは皆無です。欲を言えばWide Open SpaceやTaxlo$$のデモも収録してほしかった。意外ですが、この２曲についてはデモが他の編集盤にも収録されていないようです。いずれも１stアルバムを代表するする曲であるとは思うのですが、聴きごたえがあるデモが残されていなかったのかな。CD３　BBC Sessions　かなり良いです。1995年～1996年までのBBC（英国放送協会）で放送された音源が収録されています。ここでは今まさにミュージックシーンのど真ん中に踊り出そうとする若者たちの勢いのある演奏を聴くことができます。セカンドシングルとなったTrack 1 Skin Up Pin Upから飛ばしています。Paulの声には若さと妖艶さがあふれ、ChadのギターもPaulに絡みつくような粘りがあります。1995年4月の演奏ということでメジャーデビュー間もない演奏ですが、そこにはすでに完成されているMANSUNの姿があります。１stアルバムの発表が1997年ですから、まだアルバムの完成までには時間があったと思いますが、すでに完成形に近い演奏です。見方を変えれば、ある程度の数の楽曲はデビュー間もなくほぼ完成されており、アルバム制作においては、おそらく、追加のシングル候補となる楽曲の制作（おそらくWide Open SpaceやTaxlo$$）と、Pual主導のアルバムの統一感を目指したオーバープロデュース（？）なアレンジメントに多くの時間が割かれたのではないかと推測されます。　今回の音源を通して、また（たぶん、現時点での）デラックス系コンプリートを達成し、見えてきたのは、MANSUNの創造力、オリジナリティであり、プログレ、グラム、パンクを自由に行き来するオルタナティブな姿勢、そして、プロの奏者、演者としての姿でした。やはりMANSUNは稀有な素晴らしいバンドであったことを再認識した次第です。　次回の編集盤があるか分かりませんが、もしあるとすれば、LITTLE KIX(3CD+DVD)です。オリジナルは2000年発表ですから、2025年に25周年記念盤としてリリースされる可能性があります。あまり高く評価されていないアルバムですが、その制作過程で録られたデモ音源がたくさん眠っているはずです。発売されれば（そのうち）購入します。またレビューできることを楽しみにしています。　最後までお読みいただきありがとうございました。