Definitive Sound Series "Chronic Town"/"Murmur" One-Step Creates An R.E.M. Fan's "Must Have"

Cap Audio Crowd overwhelmingly heard a huge sonic improvement

You'll note that this press release is authored by me and not by "Tracking Angle" as most pressers are. That's because I took original promo copies of both of these early I.R.S. records (I.R.S. was a record label founded by Police drummer Stewart Copeland's brother Miles and Jay Boberg, distributed by A&M) to the Capital Audio Festival and played them for a room full of people, all of whom thought the new One-Step Murmur absolutely crushed the original. All but one individual, who I shall not name here, but is a friend of mine, thought the Chronic Town E.P. One-Step also crushed the original.

The differences were not minor. They were profound. You could actually understand what Michael Stipe was singing (some think he purposely "murmured" them) and the difference in drum textures and rhythmic clarity were major-almost like different mixes (but they were not remixed).

This is definitely a two-fer R.E.M. devotees will want. To order go here

I didn't have a chance to play the test pressings before driving down to the Capital Audio Festival so I was as surprised as the listeners! Check out the video at the bottom of this story.

Now for the press release:

Description:  The Definitive Sound Series (DSS) meticulous One-Step process creates the definitive sounding audiophile version of all-time classic albums. The R.E.M. “Chronic Town / Murmur” One-Step was mastered from the very original analog master tapes!  These iconic recordings have never sounded better.

This DSS version is limited to a one-time pressing of 3,000 numbered copies, includes a top-quality heavyweight tip on single pocket jacket for the first time and is housed inside a uniquely designed slipcase.

Special care has been taken to faithfully preserve the original sound with exceptional clarity and depth, capturing the recordings nuances at every step, in order to create the definitive sounding version.

The One-Step process is highly regarded among audiophiles and collectors for its unparalleled sound fidelity and represents the pinnacle of vinyl manufacturing and the listening experience.

DSS One-Step Details

• Audio Source: Original Analog Master Tapes

• Vinyl Compound: Neotech VR900-D2 180g High-Definition Vinyl

• Vinyl Mastering: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering

• One-Step Process: Dorin Sauerbier at Record Technology, Inc.

• Pressing: Record Technology, Inc.

• Print & Packaging: GPA Global

 

Notes: AAA / ALL ANALOG

R.E.M. is one of the most influential bands of all time and inspired thousands of kids to pick up guitars and begin their own path to DIY ethics. For 40+ years R.E.M. did it their way! And won.

After the release of the now legendary Hib Tone 7 inch Radio Free Europe came the EP Chronic Town in 1982 which garnered enthusiastic press, fanzine support and love from college radio. On the heels of Chronic Towncame the debut album, Murmur in early 1983. Many life-long fans look at both of these recordings as the launch of the incredible career of R.E.M.

For the DSS One-Step release the band agreed to let us combine the two records into a single slipcase for release. Chronic Town cover art has been restored as closely as possible to the original color and along with Murmur both now have tip on wrap jackets.

We had original first pressing copies of both records to use as guides, along with several reissues from over the years but nothing could prepare us for what we heard on the original master tapes. For recordings we had heard hundreds, if not thousands of times, the tapes gave a “next level” presentation to this music. It was an instant reflection on how accomplished R.E.M. was from the very beginning. How did Mitch Easter, and along with Don Dixon for Murmur, get all these sounds down? We needed fans to hear what we were hearing on the tapes via the DSS One-Step.

We were fortunate to have Mitch Easter be part of the DSS One-Step process –giving us his input and recalling the magic that happened all those years ago. The fact that he was blown away with our DSS test pressings gave us the confidence we were not just hyping ourselves as we listened back but have accomplished the goal of creating the definitive sounding versions of these iconic albums.

 Main Info

Artist: R.E.M.

Title: Chronic Town / Murmur  DSS One Step  

Format: 2xLP, 180g Definitive Sound Series One Step – ALL ANALOG

Release Date: tbd

Label: I.R.S. / A&M / Interscope Records

UPC: 602478940378

Catalog Number: DSS 10

Original Release Date:  1982 / 1983

SRLP: $124.98