Go West – Go West

Yet another example of a Japanese CD with superior sound, this makes the other CD I have, the UK 'CCD 1495', sound muffled and distant in comparison.

Some slight background noise, lots of sibilance on Eye to Eye but good sounding overall.

Tape slip sounds are in so many of the tracks but the main ones that come to mind are the two during the guitar solo in "S.O.S." (Disc 1, Track 6). Was there any QC on this? How did anyone listen to this and not hear them?
The live "Ball of Confusion" is also longer with an extra chorus in the middle (which I don't mind). One of the Total Overhang Mixes of "We Close Our Eyes" is actually the Complete Underhang Mix.

This is a great sounding album! I originally considered them to be a grown up version of Wham! They're actually more in line to being the British version of Hall & Oates. For a debut album, there's a lot of great music on this. Singles and album tracks. A very well produced effort.

Other than the terribly brickwalled sound on all the CDs (WHY THEY STILL DO THAT after all the debate around this subject since many years ago ???) the track "CD2-10 Don't Look Down (The Stratospheric Mix)" (and ocasionally in other tracks) has some constant "drops" in the sound..quiet but audible and very annoying (you can hear them even on the official youtube upload of this mix(es), so it´s a failure of the new mastering, not a CD issue) what is inexcusable...because good sounding digital masters of that mix exist all around on the Bangs & Crashed CD releases. Plus, the omission of the Bruce Forest Remixes of Don't Look Down (The Sequel) (Dance Version) 7:09 and (Dub Vesion) 5:22 from the US 12" promo.
Even most of the music-videos on the DVD sounds and looks better on youtube than on the blurred and mono copies included here.
For that and other reasons, this deluxe edition is a wasted opportunity..so sad.

This pressing is amazing. So punchy, dynamic and clear. I could actually listen to the whole thing on repeat, it sounds so damn good. Vinyl is also super quiet, which is the icing on the cake.

Besides the already mentioned "Goodbye Girl" issue, there are some other differences. The version of "Missing Persons" on the main album (CD1-9) is about 35 seconds longer and may even be a slightly different mix overall. "Don't Look Down - The Sequel" (CD3-9) is missing a big chunk out of the intro. "Innocence (The Desperation Edit)" (CD3-10) has the first few seconds of the intro lopped off too, which is annoying as this is a first CD release for this track. I was hoping that, with the original producer involved, this kind of thing wouldn't happen. They really should just get a fan of the band to check the final product as they really are more likely to notice. But they never will, will they :P

Dynamic range is horrible for this release, same for other discs:

https://www.dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/193718

How can you not love this quintessential 80’s album. Out of all of the other highly rated 80’s new wave/pop albums on here, this one has more deep cut hits along with pheneomenal synth and guitar riffs. Give it a few spins and it will quickly grow on you

This is a fantastic reissue and remaster that exceeded my expectations. This is actually the first reissue of an 80s LP that I actually prefer to the original. After listening to my original LP directly after this reissue it is apparent how much more well rounded this one is. The bass is thickened, the sound stage is widened, and any shrillness of the original is much better shaped and brings out the best of every instrument and voice. I have listened to this album countless times over the years, but my first listen of this reissue completely had me sucked in and surrounded with the music in a way I’ve never heard it before. The only issue that I can note is some sibilance during Eye to Eye and Goodbye Girl, but the same issue is present on my original LP during those songs too. I’m so glad that Go West is still at it and cares enough about their fans to keep giving us things to get excited about. The quality of the pressing, jacket and sleeve are great and the inclusion of a signed print of the boys is a very nice personal touch. I love it and completely recommend it.