Why is Beatles For Sale so underrated | Page 5 | Fab Forum

I know it sounds like a 'tired' album to many, but I think the pressing you listen to makes a difference too.....

I have some later 70s and 80s pressings where it does sound a bit 'muffled' or 'closed-in', and I missed out on the latest mono release, but the earlier mono CD version from 2009 sounds pretty good.

However, for me, the only real way to hear this album is from a good original 1964 Y/B Parlophone label copy.....  I have a near mint original -3N/3N pressing that sounds pretty massive; so much air, and dynamics to the music, and the vocals really pop.... it doesn't sound like a dreary album; it has life and voracity:- the way John attacks Mr. Moonlight, No Reply , I'm A Loser , etc are incredible! All the songs have that that dynamic vocal punch, and instrumental attack; it's a tight, really punchy album!

The late 80s/early 90s DMM mono pressing is very poor:  No dynamics, no real bass punch, and a nasty 'harsh' sound to the vocals.

To hear the vibrancy; the power, that this, by then, tired band actually managed to inject into this album is only really heard on the original pressings, I feel.... the tapes used into the 70's were starting to lose an 'edge' to the sound, making them sound a bit 'flat'.....

It's hard to describe - really hard to put into words - but for me, the original Parlophone mono pressing sounds best...... pretty amazing, and isn't the sound of a 'tired' band.....

And just to add to my earlier post.... the new-ish 2014 vinyl mono release sounds pretty amazing too!  A little more 'clean' and bright in the higher frequencies, but this does help a slightly 'darker' sounding original recording - which is very dynamic and powerful sounding (as previously noted!).  This newer 2014 pressing just adds to that lively and dynamic sound with a little more in the highs; vocals have a little more 'bite', cymbals are more brilliant, and higher guitar notes sparkle a little more than on the original pressing!

There seems to be a 'ridiculous' opening-up of all the instruments and vocals on this newer mono pressing.... everything sounds more separated and clear, and in it's own space....  I've really enjoyed these 2014 mono releases - they are all a big difference to the original 60's pressings, but having just got a copy of the mono 'BFS' version today, it's possibly one of the more dramatic 'improvements' to my cherished original copies.... so much more energy and 'life', and open sounding!

That late 80's/early 90's mono pressing on DMM sounds horrible in comparison to the originals, and even more so to this 2014 pressing!!

Not one of the groups' best releases, but it's always been a favourite of mine - probably more a nostalgia thing as I had access to this, With The Beatles , and Hard Days Night from the 3 albums Mum and Dad owned from when I was growing up in the 60s/70s.  It's been with me all my life pretty much, and I can now say that this 2014 mono pressing is the best that I've heard it!!

Not a 'tired' album by any means, just had maybe a few too many cover-versions; but after their existing work-load, who could have blamed them?  They still put their all into the covers!

"Beatles For Sale "..... Love it!!