Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Elvis Costello This Years Model Original master recording

During the late 1980's,Mobile Fidelity had an impressive catalog of half speed masters from artists ranging from Tangerine Dream to The Beatles. The Beatle LP's fetch quite a fortune on EBay,Magical Mystery Tour can cost up to $ 300.00 sealed,BUT,many are unaware that these bass heavy albums were NOT taken from the original master sources,but second hand American Capital Record's vault tapes,SO,these are not original master recordings.

Mobile Fidelity was not the only company to produce half speed masters during the 80's,nor were they the best. CBS Masterworks takes their crown and at  half the cost,though not as elaborately packaged,there was also Nautilus.

Now,back to Elvis. Record comes packaged sandwiched between heavy cardboard just like MF's albums of the 80's and early 90's with a high quality sleeve,is pressed on top notch virgin vinyl and uses the alternate original U.K. cover photo.

This Years Model  produced by Nick Lowe was recorded to be very bass heavy as it was in it's initial release in 1978,something VERY lacking in MF's mastering,and is almost absent entirely,a big minus,also,this was mastered at low output,so you have to torque the volume on your receiver quite extravagantly,another minus. Filled with amphetamine driven songs like Lip Service,and the masterpiece Lipstick Vogue,TYM is regarded as one of rocks greatest albums,though does not contain extra song bonuses like The Rydo disc CD release.

The sound though is outstanding with crisp highs and sharp details,you can actually hear instruments not heard in the regular pressings.,so is it worth $ 30.00?,you betcha!,though not what I expected,well worth the price. Also available are Armed Forces and My Aim Is True. This album my friends along with The Car's Candy 0 I regard as the absolute greatest close of the 70's albums period.

http://www.mofi.com/