HiRez Poll Thin Lizzy - 1976 (JAILBREAK & JOHNNY THE FOX) [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[rtbluray]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this new release from Thin Lizzy entitled "1976".
This new release combines together both of Thin Lizzy's albums from 1976, "Jailbreak" and "Johnny the Fox".
Both albums have been remixed in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround by Richard Whittaker.
The Blu-Ray was available exclusively through the SDE online store, but there is also a 5 CD/Blu-Ray deluxe edition available as well.

 

[madscot]

I voted 7, 5 for the atmos and 9 for the music, no extras unlike the previous disc although two albums for the price of one is good value

 

[Bobby Martini]

I voted 6.

8 for the music.
5 for the 5.1/atmos
7 For the menu/overall disc navigation
No extras - which is a shame.

After a good thorough couple of listens I think 5 is a fair score for the mix. It's not very discrete, but the music is good and compared to my old CDs sounds much improved.

I'm glad I purchased it

 

[madscot]

Would love to get more info on the Atmos mix. I have a copy of the box on hold at my local brick-and-mortar, but I'm buying primarily for the surround mix. Given all the other purchases I've made recently, I'd be happy to save some cash if the surround is truly disappointing.

It’s not the worst atmos or surround you’ll ever hear, but it’s far from the best, as Bobby Martini says it’s worth having as it’s the best these albums have ever sounded

 

[himey]

Wish I hadn't bought this now, given the middling reports. These SDE.Com disks are far from cheap.

It's limited in overall sound quality due to the production, but the mix is good and hasn't sounded better overall. Easily this will be my go-to, and not my CD. I hear things in this first listen of Jailbreak, I have never heard before, and I've listened hundreds of times.

 

[Juggsnelson]

While I am saddened the surround mix isn't overly impressive, comments about this being the best these albums have ever sounded more than makes up for that in my book.

 

[Bobby Martini]

Wish I hadn't bought this now, given the middling reports. These SDE.Com discs are far from cheap.

You have 2 options.

1 - Sell it. You won't lose. SDE discs notoriously hold their value. (Some increase over time)

2 - Keep it. Although the surround mix isn't the best you still have 2 good albums on 1 disc and they do sound FAR BETTER than I've ever heard them before.

I'm still glad I ordered it.

 

[SomethingAnything]

Thanks, yes you're all right. Probably good to get hopes out of the way, and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Juggsnelson]

You have 2 options.

1 - Sell it. You won't lose. SDE discs notoriously hold their value. (Some increase over time)

2 - Keep it. Although the surround mix isn't the best you still have 2 good albums on 1 disc and they do sound FAR BETTER than I've ever heard them before.

I'm still glad I ordered it.

It really is by far the best I have ever heard these 2 albums sound. It's a 4 piece 70's Rock band so my surround expectations are adjusted to match the material. No disappointment here.

 

[himey]

It's a 4 piece 70's Rock band so my surround expectations are adjusted

And the original stereo mix is no sonic marvel.

 

[elmer]

My wife, who could give a f*#k whether something is coming from the heights, thought it was great! Works for me. Seriously though, a much better mix than I honestly expected given the limitations of the original recordings. Gonna be working on those Lizzy riffs over the next few for sure!

 

[Malhomme]

I cast a 7. Just for the minute multichannel content. Well for rock band, it makes sense, of course. There is little you can do and we discussed that (I did) about Paranoid. It makes barely sense. But I bought it because I love Thin Lizzy, so both for bad reasons (what did I expect ?) and good reasons (the music !)

 

[cornwall198]

I am enjoying this hugely - but then these are my two favorite Lizzy albums. Feel the same way I do about Trower’s Bridge Of Sighs - maybe not as discrete as the best. But glorious room filling hard rock impact! I’m not marveling at this bit here and that bit over there, which can be a lot of fun, of course. Just relishing a space chock-full of sound. So glad I purchased. Comments above about the best these albums have ever sounded? Right on…

 

[himey]

I am enjoying this hugely - but then these are my two favorite Lizzy albums. Feel the same way I do about Trower’s Bridge Of Sighs - maybe not as discrete as the best. But glorious room filling hard rock impact! I’m not marveling at this bit here and that bit over there, which can be a lot of fun, of course. Just relishing a space chock-full of sound. So glad I purchased. Comments above about the best these albums have ever sounded? Right on…

Am I allowed to call Jailbreak underrated now, after listening to this new mix a few times now, or should I have known just how great it was from the many times I listened to the CD?

 

[cornwall198]

Am I allowed to call Jailbreak underrated now, after listening to this new mix a few times now, or should I have known just how great it was from the many times I listened to the CD?

Yes - of course! It was always a bit thin sounding to me. But this new version sounds more substantial to me - in the best possible way.

 

[Matt Wilson]

8

And I'm being generous. The music kicks ass, as these are two of Lizzy's best albums, but Lord, would it have killed Whittaker to utilize the rear speakers a bit more?

 

[Wagonmaster_91]

I listened to the Atmos and 5.1 DTSMA mixes of the Jailbreak album yesterday - both sounded great. I'm actual glad there wasn't an attempt to "update the sound to today's standards". These are late 70's albums and part of the charm is that late 70's sound. Maybe the highs aren't as crisp as a current recording or detail as defining, but the original mood and feeling of the music is still there. Sometimes splitting the instruments up too precisely actually subtracts from my listening experience. For example, some have complained that Phil's voice is detectable in all speakers (but it is still primarily in front). I think this helps keep the vocals from being lost in the surround/immersion process. (I did turn up the rears just a bit.)
For me, the magic of many older recordings (especially going back to the 50's -60's) is the sum of their parts more than the individual instruments & vocals.
I'm looking forward to going deeper into Thin Lizzy's 1976 release!

 

[AYanguas]

It’s not a bad Atmos mix. You have to play it loud to enjoy the guitars.

In the 7.1 floor you have more engagement of rear channels than side channels. That gives a balanced Quad feeling.

THE MOST IMPORTANT for me is that the Wides in 9.1.4 are fully engaged, with instruments but above all with the main vocals that are also in the Fronts. This gives not a ‘Front centric vocals’, but ‘Front Wided vocals’. This widening of vocals gives a sensation of Big sound coming from near above Front you that really envelops you and you don’t feel anything "isolated".

I really like when mixes use objects at Wides locations. It really enhances the immersion and, of course, amortizes my 9.1.4

Heights are used, not with gimmick effects but to enhance the immersion and some chorus voices coming from above, alternating left right when the boys are back in town, for instance. Also moving panning guitars.

It’s a balanced Atmos mix, with some discrete effects, and great and clever use of Wides.

I vote for an 8.

 

[LuvMyQuad]

First off, i have very little Thin Lizzy exposure. Growing up in the US I only ever heard the 2 hits from jailbreak over the airwaves. Never owned a single title till now. So the first thing I have to say is this music kicks ass. Wow this stuff is good. All you UK guys apparently knew this as I assume they got more exposure in the UK.

I listened to all the Atmos tracks, and i compared some of the 5.1 on Jailbreak so far. My system is 5.1.4. My thoughts so far...

this release is a great surround experience. The height usage seldom calls attention to itself , but that is fine with me. The spacial differences between the 5.1 and the Atmos I compared were quite significant. On its own, I can see the 5.1 being described as front centric, but it's still pretty good, but the atmos takes it to another level (pun) .

It has great sonics.

This has lot of rear activity on my setup and it sets up a nice horseshoe sound field. I think this effect can be emphasized on my system due to the 7.1/5.1 mixdown , but it definitely works especially well with this music.

I sometimes wondered if the bass presentation was better on the 5.1.

I think I like the material on Johnny the Fox better. A great album I've never heard. ...

.... but I also think Jailbreak has a better surround mix.

I won't vote yet, but this is going to get a high number from me.

 

[RustyM]

I enjoyed this release more than Vegabonds. "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back In Town" brought me back to 1976 and put a smile on my face. There are some stunning Atmos mixes out there to demo to your friends. This is not one of them.
SURROUND MIX - 2
AUDIO FIDELITY - 2
CONTENT - 3
OVERALL PACKAGE - 1
Total = 8