The Beatles remastered part 2

While things is mostly well and good with the Beatles remastered, not all is well in Pepperland.

High Points and Unmitigated Disasters

As these recordings have always been available in stereo, the surprises are not as big, but the pleasure comes from hearing the songs with greater range and depth.

The remastering continues to make the songs sparkle, with "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" a beneficiary. The digital harshness of the 80's release is reduced, and the mix is now more psychedelic.

Other highlights include "Fool on the Hill" and "Baby You're a Rich Man"

The first great train wreck is "Birthday". Remember when that song used to rock? Not anymore, with the vocals pushed too far to the front. This song has suffered.

As has "It's All Too Much', with again the vocals pushed too far forward, and death by handclap.

"Helter Skelter" on the other hand jumps, as does "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey" (if you are afraid of cowbells, run!)

"The Ballad of John and Yoko", though not a disaster, has been remixed to sound like a different song.

"Abbey Road" sounds great, if one ignores "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and "Octopus's Garden", which no remaster could salvage.

One is also best to ignore "Let it Be" no matter what variation is offered...