Harold Budd - Avalon Sutra (2 LP)
- LP
- 2 piece(s)
- 2005
- 15 tracks
- 1 uur, 55 min
- ambient
Avalon Sutra
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4.0
Average of 6 reviews
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Harold's recent stuff usually comes in pretty basic packaging, nothing special, but this time around, it's the pressing and quality that's the real letdown. I keep catching these weird frying pan sounds on sides A, B, and C, and the 45 rpm format just makes those pops even more noticeable. Black vinyl usually fares better, but I can't compare since I don't have the colored version here. I'm not sure Darla should be doing these 2×45 rpm releases, they need more attention to detail. This album is worth putting more effort into, for sure.
The green/yellow version is pretty good and has a nice range. Awesome to finally get some Harold Budd that ain't on those terrible Opal vinyls.
Great packaging, the audio quality is really dynamic and crisp. Sadly, both discs are concave, disc 1 is particularly warped, but it doesn't affect the sound negatively. The music, as you'd anticipate from Budd, is excellent with some nice additions of a broader range of acoustic instruments (cello, violin, viola, flute) processed with his trademark delay. A solid deal considering the bonus CD and tracks cut at 45rpm. Highly recommended!
Not every CD deserves a vinyl version. As vinyl enthusiasts, we often assume that everything sounds better on vinyl. However, this album was originally mastered digitally for Compact Disc, and I genuinely believe it sounds amazing. It's crystal clear, with the silent spaces as quiet as a mouse. It's just perfect in its current form. While vinyl might be nice, I'm content with its original digital format. CDs can sound flawless, especially when played on a quality machine.
I'm puzzled by the record label's claim that "this new edition of Avalon Sutra sounds better than the original release, which we discovered was flattened in mastering." For some strange reason, this so-called "remaster" is utterly ruined. I initially thought it might just be a problem with my copy, but the same issues are present in the digital Bandcamp version too, so it must be an issue with the master. Some tracks are pushed so hard they're downright distorted, especially on the saxophone and piano peaks. Plus, almost every track has repeating pops and clicks, which are super distracting, especially when using headphones. About the label's statement on the original release being flattened, after comparing both versions, the only logical conclusion is that they're lying. Avoid this release, and if you can, stick with the original 2004 version.
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sept 2025 | £48.49 | €48.49 |
| 31 Oct 2025 | £48.49 | €48.49 |
| 30 Nov 2025 | £48.49 | €48.49 |
| 31 Dec 2025 | £46.99 | €46.99 |
| 13 Jan 2026 | £47.99 | €47.99 |