Jon Anderson – Animation

By far the best CD pressing of this album. Not perfect, but actually listenable compared to the 2006 Opio Media remaster, which is annoyingly still the one on streaming services. Recommended.

Third solo release of then (and now) former Yes singer and songwriter, this record has turned into something of an obsession to me. Not so much quality of the music – and it is indeed very good, from the march-like anthem for modern recording tech, "Olympia,” the futuristic “Unlearing” all the way to the explosive gospel/reggae of "All God's Children" – but the fact that it has apparently never had a decent-sounding CD release (the 2006 remaster, which can be heard on most streaming services is downright horrific). I was equal part intrigued and skeptical about this one, which typically went for $199. I got my copy for about $10, which was definitely a good idea on my part. Unfortunately, the contents of this disc sound to have been transferred from the cassette tape release, a format not known for amazing sound quality. Olympia sounds chopped up, like there were a few milliseconds being cut out ever few beats, and rather predictably, All God’s Children was a distorted mess. In the end, I'm not too disappointed. If I put it back on the market, though, I certainly won't be selling it for $199!

TLDR: this bootleg is not worth the high prices is goes for here. Anyone looking for a decent CD release of this album is better off buying the 2021 reissue from Esoteric Recordings.

The Starbourne version I have actually has three bonus tracks: Spider, In High Places, Shine.

album of Yes singer Jon Anderson is OK, not the music I really enjoy

I have this CD, another CD from 2006, a version on cassette and a version on LP. Of all these the one on LP (vinyl pressed in The Netherlands in 1982) sounds the best. What they all have in common, All Gods Children sounds absolutely horrible. That's why I have all these versions, because I had the illusion that this or that version would maybe have a better version of that song. They don't. So I guess it's just an error which occurred when recording or mixing the original album in 1982. Such a shame...!

Finally, a truly great sounding CD reissue of this wonderful album. A pleasurable listening experience in every aspect and definitely worth the wait.

Cherry-Red remaster from the original master tapes will be released at the 30th of april 2021!

Mike is right. It is unlistenable. But it looks like they are re-releasing it. Just got an e-mail from Cherry Red Records about a re-mastered release. Fingers crossed. It can't sound worse than this 2006 release!

This one is a bit late in the era, but does anyone know if there was an 8-track release?

I thought it was me what the hell did Jon use for the source to remaster this. Not the original 2 track tapes. A copy I take it... A cassette maybe.... It's pretty bad. I happen to have a vinyl rip of the LP that's better. But the original tape is probably in the Atlantic vault and probably stuck there ( they want a big check from Jon for it ) so he did it himself with a copy tape. Rhino won't release it apparently. Sucks.