Bjork coming to SACD (1 Viewer)

[Danny Tse]

I just noticed Bjork's Vespertine is coming to SACD this coming weekend on the Hong Kong e-tailer layoyo.com's website. While I have heard Bjork titles will be coming to SACD, I didn't realize it was this soon. I checked sa-cd.net and this is not on the "Upcoming" list, and nor is it on Universal's "Upcoming" list of releases here in North America.

 

[Michael St. Clair]

Bjork is on Warner here, so there will be no SACDs here. I wouldn't be surprised to see a DVD-A announcement at some point.

Also, most, if not all of her albums were recorded in PCM. Vespertine is 24/48 PCM.

 

[DonaldB]

Vespertine was released on DVD-A here several months ago. Link.

 

[Michael St. Clair]

Yeah, I have the Vespertine DVD-A. Probably close to two years now.

I was referring to the other titles as DVD-A candidates in the states.

 

[Doug Otte]

Bjork's website is already offering it:

http://pinnacle.bjork.com/#VespertineSACD

Acoustic Sounds is selling it in N. Am. for $29.99.

I'd love to read some reviews before paying that much for it.

Doug

 

[BrianB]

From the website:


Woohoo! Now this is the sort of thing I want on SACD!

 

[Rachael B]

I saw it for sale on either Amazon U.K. or France two weeks ago. I bought the DVD-A about a month ago or I would have ordered a copy. Seems like it was cheaper over there....?

 

[John Berggren]

I'm itching to get Debut, Post and Homogenic.
I already have the Vespertine DVD-A and CD, unless the SA-CD offers something new, I can't justify getting it.

 

[Michael St. Clair]

I'd just buy the Vespertine DVD-A from Circuit City for $13.99 before paying $30 for the SACD. The album was produced in Protools 24/48 PCM.

 

[Doug Otte]

Well, I took the plunge & ordered Vespertine from Acoustic Sounds for $29.99 plus $5.95 shipping (ouch!). To soften the blow, I added a Ravel SACD for $19.99. Because Acoustic Sounds charges the same shipping fee regardless of how many discs you order, it makes more sense to order at least two.

However, Acoustic Sounds has a release date of March 16, but still lists it as pre-order. Bjork's site still has a March 8 release date. Has anyone actually gotten the disc yet, or seen any reviews?

Doug

 

[Michael St. Clair]

Ouch is right, especially when the native-PCM DVD-A is $13.99!

 

[Doug Otte]

I know, but I don't have a DVD-A player, and would rather pay extra to experience hi-rez instead of settling for the DVD-V layer on the DVD-A.

Hey, if I didn't waste money on expensive imports, what would I spend it on - clothes, my daughter, my house?

Doug

 

[Rich Malloy]

My system is better for SACD, so I'll be getting these, even though the DVD-A might sound better (all things being equal, which they aren't in my system). In other words, I've got a Bjork "Vespertine" DVD-A for trade or sale, if anybody's interested... I like pop, punk, rock, jazz, newgrass, gypsy funk fusion. Even on regular ol' ceedee!

 

[Michael St. Clair]

In that situation, I'd probably do the same.

 

[Lee Scoggins]

I'm think its possible that DSD conversions from PCM masters can greatly exceed expectations. The Steely Dan Gaucho SACD was excellent, for example. I think a lot depends on the care put into the mastering job and the quality of the initial recording.

 

[Doug Otte]

I just received the disc on Saturday, and have listened to a few tracks over 2 sessions.

Overall, it's what I expected. The MCH mix nicely opens up the soundstage and all the wonderful choir, synth, effects, etc. fill the speakers in a nice, musical way.

As with the original CD, the sound is a bit thin, but I don't know how much of it is due to PCM and how much was the producer's intention. I suspect the latter. Although Bjork is moving away from her early electronic dance sound (sorry; don't know the exact genre), she and her producers still seem to like that overly EQed sound w/ bass & treble emphasized to the detriment of midrange. I haven't heard the DVD-A, so I can't compare.

During the first listen, I was cleaning the living room. Towards the end of track 4, when the choir swells, I just stood transfixed in the middle of the room. Wonderful! I love it. If you like the CD, you will love the SACD.

Doug