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Keane / Hopes and Fears SDE-exclusive blu-ray

#21 in the SDE Surround Series

By Paul Sinclair

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144

Keane / Hopes and Fears SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio

Blu-ray with Atmos, 5.1 & hi-res stereo • 2,500 units • Quick Pre-order

Keane’s debut Hopes and Fears will be issued as an SDE-exclusive blu-ray in May and is #21 in the ongoing SDE Surround Series.

The 2004 album features three UK top 10 singles in ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, ‘Everybody’s Changing’ and ‘Bedshaped’ and was a massive success. It has since gone on to sell more than 2.7m copies in the UK alone, a million copies in America and 6m worldwide.

The SDE blu-ray features a brand new Dolby Atmos Mix by David Kosten (David actually produced Keane’s last studio album Cause and Effect, and created the Atmos Mixes for Tubular Bells and No Parlez) as well as a new 5.1 mix and a 96/24 stereo mix.

I’ve mixed the whole album in Dolby Atmos, going back to the original multi-track parts to recreate the complex and multi-layered productions. It’s such an emotionally direct and deceptively simple sounding set of recordings – who knew that there were two dozen or more keyboard parts on many of the songs – synths, CP70, acoustic and electric pianos, pianettes, etc – all lovingly crafted and blended together with ridiculously fine vocals and drums”

David Kosten
Keane’s Hopes and Fears is #21 in the ongoing SDE Surround Series

Additionally, the SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio features a bonus track, the ‘lost’ song ‘Love Actually’, which was written and recorded while Keane were an unsigned band with a view to persuading Richard Curtis to use it in his 2003 romantic comedy (the band’s friend and manager Adam was working for the producer of the film). Sadly, the song was never used, with Richard Curtis recently commenting that “Everyone makes mistakes… I thought it was beautiful. I tried really hard to put it in the film – but in the end it was a little melancholy and, dare I say, a bit DEEP for the film I’d made”.

‘Love Actually’, is included in all three audio streams: Atmos, 5.1 and hi-res stereo. The region-free blu-ray audio will ship with a free SDE Surround Series slipcase.

The Hopes and Fears SDE-exclusive blu-ray will be limited to 2,500 units worldwide and will be released on 10 May 2024, alongside the other physical formats. It is only available via the SDE shop and can be pre-ordered using this link or the buttons below.

SDE has also secured some of the limited ‘galaxy’ coloured vinyl edition and the 3CD deluxe with unreleased demos and rarities. Various cost-saving bundles are available!

Tracklisting

Hopes and Fears Keane / 20th anniversary

    • Hopes and Fears in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD 5.1 Surround (48/24)  and 96/24 hi-res stereo
      1. Somewhere Only We Know
      2. Bend And Break
      3. We Might As Well Be Strangers
      4. Everybody’s Changing
      5. Your Eyes Open
      6. She Has No Time
      7. Can’t Stop Now
      8. Sunshine
      9. This Is The Last Time
      10. On a Day Like Today
      11. Untitled 1
      12. Bedshaped
      Bonus track in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD 5.1 Surround (48/24)  and 96/24 hi-res stereo
      1. Love Actually

1 Tears For Fears / The Tipping Point

2 xPropaganda / The Heart is Strange

3 Gilbert O’Sullivan / Driven

4 Shakespears Sister / Hormonally Yours

5 Brian Eno / ForeverAndEverNoMore

6. Orbital / Optical Delusion

6.5 Various Artists / Concert For George

7 Ten Years After / A Space in Time

8 Bob Dylan / Time Out Of Mind (2022 Remix)

9 Tears For Fears / The Hurting

10 Mike Oldfield / Tubular Bells

11 Suede

12 ABC / The Lexicon of Love

13 Duran Duran / Danse Macabre

14 Trevor Horn / Echoes – Ancient and Modern

15 Soft Cell / Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

16 Def Leppard / Diamond Star Halos

17 Paul Young / No Parlez

18 Mark Knopfler / One Deep River

19 Wham! / Fantastic

20 Wham! / Make It Big

21 Keane / Hopes and Fears

22 Luther Vandross / Never Too Much

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144 Comments

144 thoughts on “Keane / Hopes and Fears SDE-exclusive blu-ray”

  2. So much for Keane in 5.1! Actually, it’s 4.1 absent a center channel! Feel cheated by David Kosten’s decision not to isolate Tom’s “ridiculously fine vocals”. A real disservice and a missed opportunity to upgrade the previous surround version, also missing a center channel. Had I known, would not have purchased this otherwise pointless “new” mix.

    1. This new mix is a significant “upgrade” and people have been largely raving about this new Atmos Mix / 5.1 Mix. It’s not pointless, because it’s MUCH better than the previous mix. I like centre channel usage too, but trashing something and saying it’s not very good just because the mixer has chosen not to utilise the centre channel is very misleading. It’s a great mix.

  3. Listened to the Keane Blu-ray and again noticed nothing coming out of the center speaker. I know this is the mixer’s decision but while it can be hidden by ghosting the vocals from the front speakers like with a typical stereo mix, I found that the mix doesn’t quite get the vocals in the center like has happened for other Atmos mixes with no center speaker signal. Anyone else found that?

    In addition, when playing the 5.1 mix, it also has nothing from the center speaker, so technically isn’t it a 4.1 mix?

    I recall hearing the reason that mixers don’t put anything coming from the center speakers in Atmos mixes is to avoid enabling someone to rip the vocals track and use it illegally? Is that really a big concern to warrant eliminating sound coming from the center altogether? Couldn’t they sue if a vocal was used illegally? Why not put some instrumentation there or blend the vocal with some sounds to make it more difficult to isolate?

    I feel that Atmos and 5.1 mixes are being shorted when we have been led to believe these are the ultimate mixes.

    1. I noticed this listening to it last night, and came on here to see if anyone else had noticed.
      I feel a bit short changed…

      BTW – Paul is there any way to have a feed of all published comments in one place, so that any comments in an old article are seen by more people?

  4. Just received my SDE bundle today and am listening to the Blu-ray now. The 5.1 mix sounds great on my system. I was just a casual Keane listener when this album originally came out and did not buy it at the time, so this is mostly new music for me. The galaxy vinyl looks very good, and I’m looking forward to digging into all the bonus content on the deluxe 3CD. I also picked up a copy of the “Live at Paradiso” RSD release, so have assembled quite a nice super deluxe!

  5. Got the blu ray, really great atmos mix. The songs get an extra dimension, even Sunshine, one of my lesser favourits, sounds great. On a day like today is epic here with channels used 100%. Lead vocals are not centered, that’s my only point of critic.

  6. Wonder if it might be worth considering editing the details in the description around a new 5.1 mix and a 96/24 stereo mix?.” As stated on the blu-ray case, the Hi-res stereo is of the new remaster by Frank Arkwright (and doesn’t include the bonus track). I was under the impression from the description it would be a new mix rather than hi-res remaster. Not moaning, just mentioning :)

    1. I’m normally very careful to word things correctly. I haven’t said anywhere that this is a “new” stereo mix, but happy to adjust to make crystal clear. The bonus track is in stereo.

  7. Thanks Paul, received my copy today. All sounds great, would have loved to hear Tom Chaplin’s vocals isolated on the centre speaker but that’s just my personal preference, David Kosten’s mix is still great with lots of the sequencer parts coming from the rear. When I think of early Keane, I think drums, piano and vocals but there’s a lot more on these recordings than you realise.

  8. Hi Paul,
    Just received the Keane H&F 20 Blu-ray and really enjoying the new 5.1 mix, quick question however.. Should there be a booklet enclosed with this release?

  9. Jan 2022 saw Tears for Fears Tipping Point SDE Surround blu-ray announced.
    14 months later, Mar 2023 saw Tears for Fears Hurting SDE Surround blu-ray announced.
    Another 14 months later, May 2024 …

  11. 90s/00s requests
    Pulp Different Class or This is Hardcore
    The Verve Urban Hymns
    Spiritualized Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in outer space
    The Orb Orbvs Terrarvm
    Björk Post
    Massive Attack 1st 3
    Portishead 1st 2

  12. I think that THOMPSON TWINS:QUICK STEP & SIDE KICK and THOMPSON TWINS:INTO THE GAP absolutely deserves/needs a blu-ray audio release!
    Imagine how big and beautiful those two albums would sound in 5.1!
    I would love to see it happen one day!

  13. Ordered!! Just the BluRay…with my current situation, cancelled the big bundle, keeping my Amazon US order of the triple CD in place & on May 10, may buy one of the coloured vinyl variants…I’m sure there may be others to choose from…one thing that struck me about Keane at first was the lack of guitars & bass, just piano/keyboards & drums and the nostalgic feel of the music, like from an 80s movie like “St Elmo’s Fire” or something along those lines…made them stand out from other bands, along with Tom’s soaring voice…and I’m glad they incorporated guitar into their sound going forward, but I wonder how different H&F would have sounded, better or worse, if guitars were incorporated??

  14. Loved this album when it was released. I pulled out my dual disc to remind myself why. After one additional listen, I ordered the Blu-ray. Listening to a favorite album in different audio incarnations is a special treat.

  16. Number 21.. I did not realize there were so many already. That is funny because most of your releases are probably the only “not on vynil” I actually regurlarly listen. That is a lot of music.. make me want to go back to the ones I have not listened to for a long time (Orbital comes to mind as I write this)
    as for Keane, I really like the first album, there is absolutely no filler on this record. I have not really followed them up after that, as I found the next album “OK” at most, and found other bands of interest. But this one is so good, I could not pass on my 20th SDE Bluray (I did not buy Gilbert O’Sullivan and Concert for George, I do not regret that, I would never have played these)

    1. Orbital’s Atmos mix is to date one of the better ones in the ongoing serie so far. Really like this one. Apart from that the Gilbert O’sullivan in the ongoing serie is not that bad as you think, also not the Atmos mix. The George Harrison belongs not to the official serie, and the mix is not the best either in my opinion

      1. I do not think Gilbert o’Sullivan is bad, it is just not something I would listen more than once, while all other titles in the series are from artists I often come back to.

    2. I’ve never listened to my Orbital, Brian Eno, or Concert for George SDE blu-rays (I have heard the music from those albums through other means) as they don’t interest me musically, but the Gilbert O’Sullivan is pretty good and I’ve listened to it a number of times – it is also the title with the lowest production run and therefore likely the hardest one to obtain.

        1. Larry,

          From memory I believe it was 750 units. I did not order it initially but, lucky for me, Anne found a spare one left in a cupboard.

      2. Love the Orbital, but my faves are The Hurting and Lexicon. Still need to give the Eno more time. And I have not had a chance to play the Paul Young yet but with 8 mixes it’s going to take a while to get through them all. But I’ve missed several along the way on purpose. I will never be able to get into Bob Dylan and I stopped listening to PSB after their second album. I collect music to listen to it more than once.

        2. PSB is not part of the series. The Dylan album is the only one of his I’ve gotten into (it’s very good). However my favourites from the SDE Surround Series are the 2 TfF & the ABC blu-rays, and likely the Mark Knopfler will be once it is released.

    3. The only title in the series I don’t have is “Concert For George”…and no slipcase, so is it better to call it #6.5 or not count it at all?? The slipcase spine is the only place the number is shown…

      1. And it’s still available through the SDEShop should you decide it is part of the series – it does have the SDE Exclusive sticker on it. I think I would have felt my collection incomplete had I not purchased it.

        1. Interesting about the Exclusive SDE stickers. Of the 15 discs I’ve bought out of the 21 in the series, only the xpropaganda one had a sticker attached.

          Didn’t bother with the O’Sullivan, the Dylan, the Wham discs, the Knopfler or the Vandross issues.

          The Suede, and Duran ones are here but god knows why I bought them, not really my cup of tea.

          The others are excellent though…

          Propaganda A Secret Wish would be excellent and seemingly not impossible from what’s been issued so far…

  19. Classic album, so a no brainer (ordered the PSB Atmos disc too) – seeing them next Monday in Mexico City. Getting quite the collection, thanks so much as always Paul!

  20. Annoyingly one of the b sides from Bedshaped is missing from this new deluxe edition the track “Untitled 2”. I have the deluxe edition from 2009 and it’s missing from that as well.

    1. Thanks for pointing this out! Must check my archives to make sure I have that track as I have bought too many versions of this album to not have everything

    2. While listening to “Untitled 2” from the “Bedshaped” single, I also realised that my copy of the album (and most releases outside the UK and Japan) only holds 11 tracks and omits “On A Day Like Today”.

      1. It seemed to be a trend back then that UK albums got bonus tracks with special edition written on them. That was just before they started putting that copy control crap on them.

  21. Ordered the Blu-ray without reading anything more than the email it existed! All time favorite. Finally seeing them live in Denver this September with my son who was born the year this originally came out & I first heard Somewhere Only We Know on my friend’s internet radio station! Been a fan ever since so there was no way I would’ve missed it! Thanks!

  25. Another no brainer, absolutely brilliant album to have on Atmos. Ordered the mega bundle and some other stuff before it is sold out. The fact that David Kosten made the Atmos mix is a huge plus. The Paul Young Atmos mix, which he did, could not have been better. Steven Wilson’s mixes are sometimes a bit too subtle for my taste.
    I gotta keep it real though, I’m disappointed there are no instrumentals. We have been so spoiled with ABC, Soft Cell and Paul Young instrumentals (the last two in Atmos no less!) and would have loved to have the instrumentals of Hopes and Fears. If I know Paul, he did try for sure so it must have been a label or artist thing.

    1. The Keane looks like a nice addition to the series, if a little meagre in terms of extras (although I’m confident Paul would have pushed for more content).

      Certainly, the Paul Young SDE remains the high-water mark in terms of bang for buck.

  26. break the bubble SDE..maybe just maybe push for a more rock orientation release?..I know a big percentage of people look forward to the 1980s music ..but it would do your street cred wonders if you could include a classic release from the great bands of the 70s?

    1. I’m not worried about “street cred”. We did have two 70s rock albums last year and there will definitely be at least two more in 2024.

      1. Ooooh, that’s an intriguing hint. I swear, if I log on one morning and see the next SDE Surround Series release is “Fragile” or “Queen II”, my wife will find my dead at my computer, a big smile plastered on my face.

      2. Ooh, at least two 70s rock albums to come this year? Give us some clues, Paul :)

        My money’s on more Mike Oldfield, although I think you’ll find that Crises was in fact 1983. Yes, that’s a hint :D

          1. How i did forget that? I didn’t buy it, but i have known and listened Ten Years After since 1971. Oh well, you can’t remember all the things when you’re 64!

      5. I know you can’t give anything away but a (probably unassailable) dream for me would be ELO’s Out Of The Blue. I’d imagine Jeff keeps close control of his original work and it would need the effort required to move a mountain to get him to agree to it :-(

        1. Apparently (and unfortunately!!) Jeff is not enamoured by the concept of music recorded in surround sound… That’s a real pity and rather strange considering the very decent quadraphonic release of the bands debut album simply titled The Electric Light Orchestra.

    3. Street cred? I don’t think the teenagers that gather outside my local Sainsbury’s listening to Central Cee are hankering for an extensive Nazareth reissue program.

        1. Nazareth?? Greatest bands ever?? Lol!! Always despised their cover of “Love Hurts”, which was best as a Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris duet, sorry, BUT I do dig “Hair of the Dog” though…

          1. He says one of the greatest, not greatest. Nazareth’s cover of Love Hurts is to my ears better than Gram and Emmylou’s duet. Would have been much better if Gram had sing it alone. Though i like Emmylou’s recordings, she spoils this track. And everyone should listen Nazareth albums Razamanaz and Loud ‘N’ Proud. Both are from 1973 and they are produced by Roger Glover of Deep Purple. They are classics!

        1. He’s a rapper from London who seems to be popular amongst younger people than us Jarmo.

          He’s had some songs reaching the UK Top Ten but i guess he personally would see it as his biggest success so far that US colleague Drake recorded a duet with him…

  27. I did not hear much about Keane when this came out (they were not as big in the US as UK) but in the height of SACD, was curious about any popular music disc that had a 5.1 mix. Tried to find the SACD, but it quickly went out of print and started to demand too much for me. But I never went back to look for it as an album to add to my collection. So I only knew the big single.

    Listening to the album on Apple Music and I am liking the overall sound and so put in my order before I finished my first listening! Glad it has a hi-res stereo, 5.1 mix, as well as an Atmos mix and hope it they open up the album and none are brickwalled. Would loved to have had an instrumental mix even only in stereo. It can be surprising how much the vocal drowns out instrumentation on a stereo mix which is also one reason I like multichannel as often those details are revealed.

    Question: the amount of content varies among the SDE Blu-rays from a low of 3 album mixes (like this one and the Soft Cell) to 8 on the Paul Young. Is the final content arrived at after a process with the label, artist, and mixer, or do some labels put strict limits on what can be released?

    Congrats again on another top notch album release! Seems like the sky IS the limit.

  28. A superb album and an easy decision to order this one. I was hoping it would include the additional b-sides which are equally brilliant but more than happy to pull the trigger on the standard full-length version. It’s been said already but I’ll add my 2 cents / pence worth. Thank you for making this possible, Paul. Another wonderful SDE release to add to an already excellent collection and can’t wait to see what’s next on the release list. :-)

  31. Never heard of Keane, which makes it the 5th SDE Surround artist I knew nothing of prior to announcement (along with xPropaganda, Orbital, Ten Years After, and Suede). After a great run of titles that I am keen on (#s 15-20) this is the first hesitation in purchasing one in this series that I’ve had for quite some time. The inclusion of the 2nd b-sides/rarities CD tracks on the blu-ray would have made it much more attractive. Currently my only reason for purchase is that I have all of the other SDE Surround titles, so I’m listening to the album on YouTube to see if it grows on me before the 2500 run out.

  32. Can I check, Paul. The article says it’s released on 20th May which is a Monday. Is this so it comes out exactly 20 years after the first release?

  33. Mmm, maybe. To be honest I was hoping for standalone editions of the first two Howard Jones albums but with much more than the CD/Blu ray editions that are now available to preorder. Those editions just have new stereo and 5.1 mixes plus 3 extra tracks on each blu ray. As far as I can tell, there are only 3 tracks on each blu ray that have an Atmos mix. There is no instrumental version and no original mixes at all. Very disappointing.

    1. I am grateful for at least the 5.1. Stephen W Taylor, who did the 5.1 mixes said he did them a couple of years ago and that Howard invited his old friend Bob Clearmountain to come take a listen. Clearmountain then apparently made a few Atmos mixes. It has not been said if there the full albums have been done in Atmos. Maybe they have not. Maybe Howard will pull a Pink Floyd? Biggest surprise is a new 2024 stereo mix. That is the 3rd remaster of these albums in 12 years.

    2. Just when you think Cherry Red isn’t so bad, they show once again they are and will always be a B-label. In a time when every spatial mix is done in Atmos, they release a 5.1 mix from several years ago. To make matters worse, the three bonus tracks on the Blu-ray are in Atmos! What a mess. Totally unworthy of these two fabulous albums.

      1. Yes, it’s frustrating that the full HoJo albums aren’t in Atmos. My understanding is that SWT wasn’t set up for remixing to Atmos at the time – but he is now. Cherry Red really should have commissioned him to expand the 5.1 mixes he previously did to Atmos.

        Maybe they will a bit later, to try and encourage some double (triple? quadruple?) dipping.

        Though to cut Cherry Red a little slack, the big boys also re-use old 5.1 mixes rather than fork out to do a fresh Atmos mix (yes, I’m looking at YOU, EMI, with your Ziggy surround rehash in the new Bowie uber-box).

        1. Hey I love Cherry Red!! They put out amazing boxsets & really interesting compilations in all sorts of genres with tons of obscure bands/artists I’ve discovered…maybe they are lacking in the Atmos & BluRay department, but everything else is top notch, at least to me…

  34. What an excellent release ! I love this album from the first to the last song. Instant purchase without a doubt. Also to keep the SDE-exclusive collection complete. Keep up the excellent work, Paul !

  35. With the recent chatter about the 20th anniversary (and no mention of a surround release) I tracked down a copy of the DualDisc release and imported it. If only I’d waited a couple of weeks longer!

    Since this is one of my favourite albums of ‘recent’ years (!) and with the added enticement of a new Atmos mix AND a new 5.1 mix this was still an easy purchase for me. In a moment of weakness I plumped for the Mega Bundle since that Galaxy swirl looks rather lovely!

    The usual ‘Thanks’ to Paul for making all these wonderful releases happen :-)

  36. Bloody bonkers! A definite YES!
    This album, originally, was reasonably mastered. It successor, Under The Iron Sea is where the volumes were raised followed by severe clipping on albums to follow.

    Please please please, give us a SDE-BR of Under The Iron Sea as well and I will never swear again. I promise.

    2. Yes UTIS is louder, which I found pretty cool that they managed to make keyboards sound like loud distorted guitars, as on the single “Is it Any Wonder??”

  38. Once again, Paul takes a release I was on the fence about purchasing, and puts me over the top with a superb blu-ray offering. Well done!

  39. I had a sneaking suspicion with this one Paul . One of Tracy and I’s favourite albums. Ordered the vinyl and blu-ray without hesitation. Bravo mate

  40. Due to the very, very fair price point, I went in for the mega bundle! For just a little over $100 with tracked shipping to America I could not resist! Ive been charged $40+ in shipping fees alone just for a 2LP set-so kudos to SDE for keeping the shipping more than reasonable!

    This is a great album and one that truly deserves this treatment. I thought the mixes on Tubular Bells and No Parlez were great, so I am sure this will be fantastic as well. Keep them coming Paul!!!

  41. Once again Paul you’ve got a real winner. I have the 2004 SACD but am looking forward to hearing the new stereo & surround mixes. Great job as always!

  42. Can honestly say I have never knowingly listened to anything by Keane, I am guessing the track “Somewhere only we know” is the same as the Lily Allen, John Lewis Christmas advert from 2013 (Really? That long ago?) which I liked.

    Ordered……You know it is almost pavlovian, whenever I go to your shop Paul I feel the urge to buy something else just because I’m there and I am in the mood. Even if, as with the Kate Bush double coloured albums, I promised I wouldn’t buy them. You almost got me this time.

      1. Laura Michelle Kelly also did a version of this song for her lp in 2006.Her version is very similar to the Lilly Allen version but much superior in singing and production.I figure Laura must have been annoyed seeing a rip- off of her particular arrangement and version going to number one many years later.Since both versions are similar I reckon the producers of the Lilly Allen version were deliberately copying Laura’s version.

  43. Paul you are on a roll now. I wasn’t expecting this and it’s an instant order for me. One of my favourite albums and bands. Thank You again. Looking forward to the next announcement.

  44. I do want this, need it for the collection, but have to hold out till either this Friday or till after I get back from Cruise #3, on April 5…I currently have the triple CD on preorder on Amazon US, and that “galaxy” vinyl looks really cool…what I may do on April 5 is order the bundle to save $$$ and cancel the Amazon order…if any left…based on the Mark Knopfler situation, it could sell out quickly, but I have my responsibilities…

    1. Jesus Larry that’s got to be 20 cruises you’ve been on in the last 5 years??
      Come to Scotland for a change have a beer!,, but don’t bring your cruise clothes,,even in july!

    2. Larry,

      You crack me up with your Blu-Ray / Cruise dilemmas.

      Why not use the credit card to pay later? I reckon your Russian roulette approach on this release will fail. 2,500 copies of a huge selling album (at least in the UK) will see this snapped up in a jiffy.

      Happy sailing!

      Regards,

      1. I know I know…another cruise…but this is the last one until Feb 22, 2025…this is a small one though, only 4 days…I did some budget looking over & on Friday I may be able to swing just getting the BluRay & keep my Amazon US order for the triple CD in place & maybe get the galaxy vinyl at a future date if ever…the key piece is the exclusive BluRay…

      2. Bought the BluRay only today…the collection is intact (maybe maybe not, if you count “Concert for George” or not without the slipcase)…

  46. Thanks Paul for another great score! One of my favorite albums of all time! Now – if you could only get more of the Elton John catalog produced in physical Dolby Atmos releases.

  47. Terrific news! THAT single is one of the best in recent years and I’ve always meant to try the album, so this is ideal.
    I bought Tom Chaplin’s Christmas album a few years back after hearing the beautiful Midnight Mass single and wasn’t disappointed, so will definitely be buying this.
    What a great voice to hear in Atmos!

  50. My musical taste has evolved over the years, and I do remember hearing and liking the singles, so as I’ve taken chances with other releases from SDE and enjoyed them, then it’s worth taking a chance on this blu-ray. A pre-order has been placed.

  51. Ordered. No brainer. Kosten did an excellent job with Tubular Bells and No Parlez and I can’t wait to see/ hear what he does with Hopes & Fears.
    I’m keeping my fingers crossed now for the SDE 30th Anniversary exclusive of The Division Bell and I’ll be the happiest person alive, I reckon.

        1. I’ve ordered this, I so want to support Blu Ray Audio and SDE here, but just hope the stereo mix is not compressed to within an inch of it’s dynamic life as was the cause with the DVD-A.

          Fingers crossed that we’re getting the master used to cut the vinyl and it’s dynamic.

          1. Mr Kosten kindly let me know that the new remastering was done from original unmastered mixes and that Frank Arkwright has delivered a warm, detailed and dynamic remaster. Sounds extremely positive and I think this will be night and day compared to the SACD.

          2. This is fantastic news, I just hope this continues with dynamic Hi Res stereo mixes being put on Blu Ray.

            Now what we need is the 2009 collectors edition of Rio in 24/96 Hi Res stereo!

  55. Excellent! Another scoop for the site – well done again @PaulS. An easy order placed straight away, not least of all because Somewhere Only We Know was a key track during COVID for me. Looking forward to hearing that (and the rest) in surround. Go, SDE!!

  56. Just making a space for this next to my SACD which sounds better than I remembered. I vaguely recollect buying this, Feeders comfort in sound, Snow Patrols Final Straw, Groove Armadas Vertico and Becks Sea Change that got me hooked on collecting SACDs. The happy days are returning again thanks to Paul

    1. I have Snow Patrols Final Straw and Becks Sea Change but have not heard Feeders comfort in sound or Groove Armadas Vertico – will have to check those out – thanks for the recommendation.

  57. Excited for this one! I was happy with the previous vinyl reissue, so it’s the blu-ray/CD combo for me. Thanks, Paul, for nabbing one of my most-listened to albums of the 00s for the SDE Surround Series.

  59. I have the 20 year old SACD with the 5.1 mix and that is – frankly – terrible. It’s not a discrete mix – everything is just spread out into all the channels and it sounds brickwalled, as well. Very fatiguing to listen to. So I’m ordering the blu-ray, hoping that the engineers have now taken note of how multi-channel mixes have evolved in the last 20 years.

    1. I’ve always longed for that SACD but I’m glad to hear it’s terrible (if you know what I mean)
      Can’t wait for the Atmos now.

    2. The original 5.1 does sound like a stereo upmix though there are some discrete parts which get lost. The good news is the reviews of Paul Young’s No Parlez Dolby Atmos mix has been very good so I expect something similar with this.

  60. Hi Paul – is the 5.1 newly remixed for this release, or is it the same one used for the SACD and DVD-A from back in the day?

    TIA ;)

      1. May have been a good decision. Sometimes older mixes can be very different from new mixes (both better or worse) and either shows up the poor job done on the other. Hoping for highly dynamic and rich sounding versions.

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