HYBRIDS RULE: Format Wars (cont.)

What with the mess surrounding the Pioneer 563a's ability to play certain DVD-A titles (and KEY titles at that: GAUCHO, PET SOUNDS), I've been gravitating towards the SACD/CD format for both sound and convenience. The backwards compatibility factor weighs heavily, as many of the CD mixes surpass existing stereos for iPod listening, and the fuller stereo sound on SACD does the trick for presence, punch and detail. (What is the deal with iPods in the car, by the way: EQ settings sound different on every track, digital sources outperform analog mostly, but adjustments necessary on every tune, even on line-out direct. In general, R&B EQ with volume at halfway works best for most.) On the big speakers, digital masters win again, with some crucial exceptions. Here's a preliminary list, to be tweaked at future intervals. This could be the year these formats break wide, decisive factors will include compatibility with portables, chiefly iPods, the DVD boom, and the long-awaited Hendrix of 5:1. Where has PM Dawn disappeared to? Why didn't Prince hitch his wagon to this?
More on this when the 563s comes back from its upgrade.

HYBRIDS

Steely Dan GAUCHO (Universal)
Big Star #1 RECORD/RADIO CITY (Fantasy)
Mission of Burma ONOFFON (Matador)
The Who MY GENERATION DELUXE EDITION (Universal)
Marvin Gaye LET'S GET IT ON (Motown)

ALSO AT PLAY
John Lennon PLASTIC ONO BAND (MFSL)
Loretta Lynn VAN LEAR ROSE (Interscope)
Melissa Auf Der Maur AUF DER MAR (EMI)
The Who TOMMY DELUXE EDITION (Universal)
John Lennon PLASTIC ONO BAND (MFSL)
THE ROOTS OF TOMMY (Uncut)
ROOTS OF ROCK'N'ROLL 1946-1954 (Hip-O)
THE NOTORIOUS CHERRY BOMBS (Universal South)
The Pretty Things COME SEE ME (Shout!)
Bobbie Gentry CHICKSAW COUNTRY CHILD (Shout!)
Harry Nilsson SCHMILSSON (RCA/BMG Heritage)
Air TALKIE WALKIE (Astralwerks)
Bottle Rockets BRAND NEW YEAR (New West)

PIANIST OF THE MONTH: Olga Kern (Rachmaninoff, on Harmonia Mundi)

GETS BETTER WITH AGE: Danger Mouse GREY ALBUM

SCARED TO PLAY: Julianna Hatfield IN EXILE DEO (zoe)

BOXES ON DECK:
The Hollies
The Zombies