Peter Gabriel: Half Blood

Posted by: Mr Underhill on 17 October 2011

As a member if the B&W Society of Sound I get a couple of HiDef albums to download per month.

HiDef for SoS equals 24bit 48Khz.

Peter Gabriel: Half Blood

Analysis:

Audacity reports the file as 24bit/48Khz.

The waveform shows that this has been mastered with some proper dynamic swings, and you do hear this on replay.

The Waveform:

I've highlighted the section I used for frequency analysis.

Frequency Analysis:

If you are used to the HiFi News charts then please note: The logarithmic scale along the x-axis.

The frequency graph:

What does this show?

I believe that it shows that the available 24Khz bandwidth is fully utilised. That there is no clipping and that the dynamic swings have not been mastered out.

In HiFi news they talk about their frequency analysis evidencing an up-sampled 16/44.1 master being shown by the falloff in frequencies, as well as no data above 20Khz. Be interesting to see what I see when I process some of the 'HiDef' tracks I've ripped from DVD-Audio.

Subjective:

How does it sound? Bloody brilliant!

This is, unfortunately, only half the commercial album, the clue is in the title. OK, I do like Gabriel's work, but his use of an orchestra has been imaginative, with some good harmonies - and incredible dynamics. The first track, 'The Rhythm of the Night' is breath taking.

'Scratch My Back' was very much a slow burner with me, this is an instant 'WOW'. I'm going to buy this in full, if I can find a HiDef download!

If you like PG then this is highly recommended.

M

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Stubby

Mr Underhill, if you buy this from the Peter Gabriel Womad shop online I think you get a free Hi-def download.. I haven't done this, so there might be a catch!

Stuart

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Mr Underhill

I did have a gander - but didn't see that added extra, heading back now, thanks.

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Mr Underhill

Stubby,

They are saying 'High Quality' digital download, but not what they mean by that.

They then pint you at Apple Lossless files. Again no hint of what the sample and bit rate are.

Currently I'm assuming that means 16/44.1. If someone buys these and can state what they are that would be great!

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Lontano

I bought the double CD version from my local shop and it came with the 24 bit download. Tread carefully with the single version, as I think you might be disappointed.

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Lontano

Originally Posted by Lontano:

I bought the double CD version from my local shop and it came with the 24 bit download. Tread carefully with the single version, as I think you might be disappointed.

I am just checking to see if I get Half Blood access or just New Blood access - I misread your original question and got confused between the two.

I won't know for a bit as I am downloading 1.53GB of download......

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Mr Underhill

Let me know what it is ...and what you think!

Posted on: 17 October 2011 by Lontano

Ok, I got the full vocal album and the full orchestral album with bonus track, so I think that is the complete thing as per the double CD. I can't play the 24bit as bit as I use a CD555!

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by Mr Underhill

Lontano,

Are they wav, flac or apple lossless?

Sample rate?

...and what do you think of the album?

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by Lontano

Originally Posted by Mr Underhill:

Lontano,

Are they wav, flac or apple lossless?

Sample rate?

...and what do you think of the album?

They are 24 bit Flacs but not sure of sample rate - yet, but I think 48. Will look tomorrow. The album is OK, sounds good quality. I am a big Gabriel fan but I preferred last year's Scratch My Back. I do not feel a need for orchestral reinterpretations of his back catalogue - it just feels like going backwards , rather than forward.......and the originals are better.

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by Mr Underhill

Thx - I'll buy it.

WRT going backwards - I read similar comments on his website so you are not alone. Personally I am very taken with what he has done, but it would be good to have some new work.

Posted on: 18 October 2011 by BigH47

I'll probably buy it sometime.

Unlike Lontano, I thought the latest album worked better than SMB.

Like him though I still prefer PG's original versions of his own sonngs.

Posted on: 21 October 2011 by Mr Underhill

Hi Lontano,

Double CD arrived in the post this morning - downloading now.

BigH,

I too prefer this to SMB.

Generally I agree that I prefer the originals, but there are a couple of tracks that stand out for me.

I listened to the tracks on MP3 via headphones - and the magic disappeared. This is an album that, for me, needs the impact of my main system to come alive.