Customer Reviews

Bat Out of Hell

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've just bought an SACD player (DAVS-500) and this release was one I wanted to test it out on, (I have it on vinyl and CD as well)- What a difference! (even on a relatively low end player). The record has a full sound with all the pops, hisses and track jumps from years of playing. The CD still sounds good but slightly tinny in comparison, but the SACD is leap years ahead. I could literally hear layers of sound (yes - I was stoned but I've always heard it this way since it was released...whaa? you guys had an actor for president? whoah :)
Anyway...I was really impressed. A full, rich sound and really,you can literally hear something like a spacial effect in the mix. It's not multi channel which would have been awesome but it's still really good. If you want the definative version of this great old album - then this is it. Meats voice really packs a punch.
I'd also highly recomend getting a multi channel setup if you're looking at getting an SACD. I bought Herbie Hancocks headhunter on 6 channel SACD and its mindblowing - I couldn't believe it was recorded in 1973,it sounds like it was this year or something. I wish they would release more. If anyone who has anything to do with SACD reads this, here's my tip RELEASE THE ENTIRE BACK CATALOGUE OF PINK FLOYD ON MULTI CHANNEL SACD AND YOU WILL MAKE MILLIONS! I guarrantee it! I know I'll buy them all.

I've starting collecting DVD-A and SACD titles and this is by far the most disappointing purchase to date.

As a kid I had the original album on vinyl. I currently have it on CD.

I don't have the musical vocabulary to tell you what is wrong. However, this is not the Bat Out Of Hell that you know. The instruments sound good. The vocals sound good. The only thing I can say is that the new 5.1 mix and new Stereo mix have changed this near perfect album into something else -- and its not as good.

Do yourself a favor, skip this SACD. It seems like a rush job. Get Every Breath You Take (Police) (SACD) or Synchronicity (Police) (SACD) or Boston (Boston) (SACD) or Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd) (SACD) or Satch Plays Fats (SACD) or Sea Change (Beck) (SACD) or In Blue (The Coors) (DVD-A) or Tigerlilly (Natalie Merchant) (DVD-A) if you want good examples of what high definition audio can be.

This was my first SACD and, after listening, I can say it will certainly not be my last. Truly an amazing format which gives increased depth to an already extraordinary production. I've already got several more on order from Amazon (Blow By Blow, Dark Side of the Moon, Every Breath You Take etc.). Looking forward to enjoying my "new" listening experience.

"Don't let your Meat Loaf"

It's been nearly a quarter century since this album was released, and still I can listen to it for hours without tiring of it. The early criticism was that it didn't fit with the music of the day. I think that's why it stands today as such a great album. The Meatloaf/Jim Steinman collaboration is one borne of the love that each had for theatrics. This album is best when it soars to new heights that few have dared climb. Almost operatic in nature, yet very sexual in context, "Bat Out of Hell" combined genres with ease. There is not a bad track on this album. Best are the title track and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light."

There are two versions Epic released of this SACD, a 2 channel stereo and a 5.1 hybrid with both the 2 channel and 5.1 surround versions on it. I will be reviewing the 5.1 version. Well, I'm a fan of SACD but there are some extenuating circumstances here. The main outstanding one is that some of the masters were destroyed in a fire. The songs sound ok but not mind blowing like Dark Side OF The Moon SACD or Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which were carefully engineered from original sources without any sound or financial limitations and it shows. This unfortunately sounds like an afterthought put together as best as can to put out what was then a new format to make an extra buck. A man named Frank Filipetti oversaw the 5.1 mix and he seems to have done a hell of a job considering the lost masters and I'm sure he didn't nearly have the budget or the time (or even the tapes!)alloted to some of the great SACD releases. Some of the songs sound great. I like the background vocals coming out the rear speakers. There is a weird effect of the vocals slap backing off the rear speakers however. A bit strange for me. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth and Bat Out Of Hell sound really good. Here's the really really big problem and it's a doozy. The showcase song Paradise By The Dashboard Light. I believe the great Ellen Foley's vocals were lost in that fire. The whole sexy panting part during the Phil Rizutto middle sequence is very much missing and when she finally kicks in, after careful comparison..I don't think it's even her!! Either it's a different vocal take, which I don't think it is, or it's the great live performer Carla DeVito filling in (Admirably but not quite the same). Maybe they brought Ellen back in 20 years later to redo the part? I read that some of the lost parts were re recorded so who knows? I am a giant Ellen Foley fan and the part is simply different. Judge for yourself if you can. The whole point of SACD in my opinion is to sonically bring a recording to another level. This does not capture the magic of the original recording. The 5.1 SACD is hard to find. It's way overpriced. Avoid it.

I have not purchased this album before in cd or vinyl but of the few other sacd's I have had the pleasure to enjoy, this one stands out as my favorite to date, even though this was recorded from the original tapes rather than direct DSD technology as some of my other sacd's. I think it's the music that stands out and this sacd multichannel format is a great way to enjoy it.

I got my SACD player in 2008 and this was the first of two discs i got.I guess its OOP now so the price has gone up. My local Best buy had a little section that was dumping the SACDs,DTS and DVD-As they had. I got a bargin at 14.99. I am not crazy about the way the disc was mixed, but feel the SACD format superior to standard CDs.

If you are a fan of Meatloaf,and have SACD its a nice addition to your library. The disc is becoming scarce and you better get it soon if you want it.The curretnt price is a little to steep for me. Glad i got it when I did!

P.S The bonus Live tracks are petty sweet too!