Gatefold packaging
Half-speed mastered (45rpm)
Includes full album on CD
Audio Quality: 4.25/5
Song Quality: 4.75/5
Packaging: 4/5
So, this album came out on CD a while ago, but I held off on buying it because I knew there was an upcoming vinyl release. As it turns out, there were TWO different vinyl releases: a standard single LP edition, and a deluxe half-speed double LP edition.
I got to my local record store and they had both in stock, with the standard edition priced at $17 and the deluxe edition priced at $40. That's a pretty serious price jump, don't you think? But I run a vinyl blog don't I? How could I leave without the half-speed version?
I already learned my lesson on this with In Rainbows (which I finally just purchased on eBay)... I couldn't let it happen again. I bit the bullet and bought (along with many other things) my copy of the limited deluxe edition of Crack The Skye. Is it worth it??? Let me work it.Well, as far as the music goes, it definitely is. This edition came with the CD (another selling point), and though I wanted my first listen to this album to be on vinyl, I confess that I popped the CD in my car first. I heard so many great things about this album, and when I bought it and had a few busy days in a row where I wouldn't be able to listen, and I simply couldn't wait any longer. These songs are really exceptional, and show the band evolving into what sounds like a modern-day King Crimson, especially on "Quintessence" and "The Last Baron." The songs are intricate, dynamic, and technically extraordinary. The vocals are different from previous Mastodon releases in that they've almost entirely abandoned the metal scream and are now singing. Really singing. Sounds good, too. So if you're the sort of person turned off by "that kind" of metal, I'll ask you to check this one out with an open mind. This is very much meant to be heard as a full album, and there really aren't any single track highlights because of that. The whole album is simply excellent. However, it's worth noting that the 13-minute closing track, "The Last Baron," is absolutely phenomenal.
Now for the sound. First things first, I did a little research and can confirm that this record was recorded to analog tape, and then mixed and mastered digitally. For those of you who want more techie information, there's an outstanding article about how this record was made over here at EQmag.com. The sound on this vinyl is MASSIVE, and far superior to the mix featured on the CD, IMHO. It's mastered pretty quietly, which is sort of a bummer, but when I cranked it up so I could properly experience this album in all its rock-and-roll glory, there was no clipping or distortion, so I guess it's okay. Weird that it's pretty much the same problem I had with that Metallica record. You'd think they'd want these metal albums to play back nice and loud, right? Anyway, the bass is super clear and defined, the tracks are aggressive and powerful without sounding cluttered or harsh, and the vocals are perfectly placed.
If I had complaints, it would be that the drums get lost in the mix a few times and that, for a half-speed mastered record at such a high price, this wasn't quite the pristine and mind-blowing vinyl sound I've heard in the past. However, make no mistake, this is a fine sounding record, and if you're a fan with $40 to blow, it's most definitely a superior listening experience.The package is very nice, and the cover art is actually noticeably different (and nicer) from the single LP edition. The records are held in white paper sleeves with plastic protective sheets. There's a single page insert with the lyrics on one side and album credits on the other. As I previously mentioned, you also get the full CD included in a generic white paper sleeve. It's a very attractive set, and it's limited to 2,500 copies, but I do believe it should have been at LEAST $10 cheaper. Without any bonus tracks or the inclusion of the DVD that came with the proper CD release, it just doesn't warrant the exceptionally high price.
A little while ago, Mastodon released a box set of double vinyl reissues of their previous albums that I regret to inform you I did NOT pick up. It was a lot of money!!! But if they did separate reissues of Blood Mountain and Leviathan, I'd be all over them. If this release is any indication, they'll sound great, and I can already tell you that all Mastodon records feature tracks written by modern masters of metal. Alliteration FTW.
Buy the LP at Amazon.com
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