Trespass (2008 Digital Remaster) [CD]

` I Once Remember Echoes of My Youth'

Initially I purchased the Vinyl Re-mastered version box set but gave it up as a bad job due to the Foxtrot and Selling England LPs being extremely poor pressings (surface noise, pops, clicks etc). However, the re-mastered vinyl version of Trespass was excellent in sound quality. Not sure why they did not sell the vinyl versions separately as with the CDs. I have the original 1970 vinyl version, which is now suffering from excessive playing.

I have been listening to this album since the early 70s and still believe these songs are very under-rated. The issue is that collectively the next four studio albums were stronger and live sets contained over this period more classics from these albums (with exception of the Knife). Even for me as a vinyl lover the stereo mixes on this re-mastered CD are excellent. They are crystal clear, fill the speakers with detailed sound and the stereo separation is interesting because it very different to the original vinyl with addition sounds added. Totally the opposite to the very poor quality release of the 1994 Definitive Edition Re-master which unfortunately I have been listening to prior to this release.

To me this album is very easy listening, beautiful melodies and interweaving of acoustic guitars with organ. The vocals are much softer than later albums. Most of these songs the band were playing and developing on the road before recording and I think you can hear this (being at ease) to some degree on the album. There is no other group that sounds like this early Genesis. The band admits during the interviews on the box set version that they took their musical influences at this time from groups such as Fairport Convention and Family.

I like all the seven songs but my personal favourites are ` White Mountain', `Stagnation (changes direction musically constantly)' and of course the master-piece `The Knife'. This to me has been `beefed up' sonically on these new CD and vinyl releases more than any other track vs the original recording.

Clearly musical tastes and memories are different but to me this early Genesis album is still as enjoyable now as back in the early 70s and this remastered CD gives it a new, fresh sonic, face-lift. If you are an existing Genesis fan and want to remove bad memories of the Definitive Remaster or are new to the Peter Gabiel fronted band then I strongly recommend this CD re-issue.

I thought long and hard before parting with my cash for this, especially in light of the debates about the effect(s) of the remastering.

Like others, I have the original vinyl, the first batch CD and now the 2008 remaster (I missed out the 1994 "definitive" remaster). Having now listened to the remaster several times, the time has finally come to put something (hopefully) coherent to help others.

The music itself has been considered in other reviews and other than to say I like the album musically (a lot) and for that alone would have awarded 4.5 stars. I'll leave the music aspect at that.

So, to the remastering. In my opinion, some of the the criticism aimed at Nick Davis' remastering is justified. On the plus side, there is a much clearer separation of instruments in the sound stage and the stereo stage is significantly improved compared to the original (vinyl and CD). The bass and mid range generally have more depth and Peter Gabriel's vocals definitely sound clearer.

Unfortunately, as others have suggested, the top end does, at times, sound brittle and "toppy". I have listened to this on a variety of players to get a good (and fair) idea of whether it is a playing equipment issue, or if the toppyness really is there. Even on the "warmest" set up I tried, there were still moments where cymbals and high-hat sounded crashy instead of being rounded. Most telling are occasions where the remixing makes the sound of acoustic guitars akin to listening to a bright harpsichord.

It may or may not be of interest that Nick Davis also remastered Marillion's "Live From Loreley" 2-CD album which also suffers from excessive brightness. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Taking into account the above, is the 2008 remaster worth buying? On balance, yes - but with a proviso. If you have hi-fi equipment that is bright, this remaster may not be the most enjoyable listen - even neutral equipment may reproduce too bright a sound. If you have "warm" equipment, you should *just* be ok. Because of the excessive brightness, this falls between "ok" and "I like it" on Amazon's scoring system; hence 3.5 stars.

Out of the early days of "Genesis", this is the album that has grown on me. I have always liked this album but have found it an effort to warrant it a listen. That is until now. I only recently listened to it again and found it an exceptional album. It may not be in the league of the albums that were to follow this but it is undoubtedly a classic, and the fact that this album was done by a group who had not even reached the age of 20 is staggering!

The album is a relaxing effort, with melodic pastoral moods, with only occasional loud outbursts. The album starts off with "Looking for someone". A song that makes you sit upright and realise that this album is indeed worth listing to, and reaches a wonderful peak with the denouement which is "The Knife". Certainly what one could call a poetic album: the changes of mood are subtle and this is certainly an album that rewards with repeated listening. Simply bathe in the wonderful images that this album conjures up with its soothing vocals, main and backing alike, expressive and detailed lyrics and subtle overtones of music.