Mike Mettler

Interviews
Jim Kerr of Simple Minds Gets Directly to the Heart of the Vinyl Matter
Mike Mettler  |  Nov 04, 2022  |  First Published: Nov 04, 2022  |  6 comments

Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds, is one of us. As a kid growing up in Glasgow, Scotland in the early 1970s, collecting vinyl was of paramount importance, and he got himself a day job just so he could buy records and go see concerts. (Sound familiar?) Read on to find out all the things he said, he said about how important buying vinyl was (and still is) to both him and his Simple Minds songwriting partner, guitarist Charlie Burchill, why it was crucial to shape their new LP Direction of the Heart specifically as a two-sided record, and how important an influence David Bowie albums remain as part of his creative life to this day, and more. . .

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Analog Gear News
Andover Audio’s SpinBase MAX Turntable System Looks to Up the Performance Ante on Its Predecessor
Mike Mettler  |  Nov 01, 2022  |  First Published: Nov 01, 2022  |  8 comments

Considering how well the original Andover Audio SpinBase all-in-one turntable system fared in our hands-on review, we figured the company’s updated SpinBase MAX was worthy of bringing to your attention. Read on to learn more about this updated all-in-one playback system that becomes available in mid-November. . .

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News
The Flaming Lips Prepare Massive 180g 5LP Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots: 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Box Set for April 14, 2023
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 26, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 26, 2022  |  12 comments
The test begins — now! To wit: Oklahoma’s favorite weird sons The Flaming Lips have announced a massive 180g 5LP box set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their landmark July 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. The deluxe LP box features 40 tracks never before available on vinyl, and it will arrive like a rocket ship on April 14, 2023. Read on to find out more about all the cool B-sides, demos, outtakes, live material, and, of course, the pressing details. . .

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Analog Gear News
Insider Report: Ortofon Concorde Elite Moving-Magnet Cartridge Seeks to Live Up to Its Vaunted Name
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 24, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 24, 2022  |  6 comments

When it comes to making elite MMCs, Ortofon knows a thing or two about coming up with an elite thing or two. To wit: the company’s new Concorde Elite is a premium moving-magnet cartridge based on the legacy of the well-respected Ortofon Concorde MkII series — and the Concorde Elite sports an SRP of $439 to boot. Read on to find out more about the Concorde Elite MMC and what it can do for you and your turntable. . .

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Record Stores
Sneak Preview: AnalogPlanet’s Forthcoming Favorite Record Stores Series Will Commence With Our Site Visit to Atlantic Sounds in Daytona Beach, Florida
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 19, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 19, 2022  |  15 comments

Yesterday, I visited one of my favorite record stores in the country — namely, Atlantic Sounds in Daytona Beach, Florida — and I sat down with owner Mike Toole for a two-hour conversation about his lifelong passion for listening to and selling music on vinyl, the long and storied history of the shop itself, and why Atlantic Sounds has endured and continues to see growth to this very day, ever since it first opened in the exact same location 40 years ago on October 15, 1982. Read on to get a sneak preview of the full story to come, and also find out how you can have your own favorite record store featured here on AnalogPlanet. . .

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News
Verve Records/UMe Partner With Third Man Records to Relaunch Popular Verve By Request Reissue Series, Commencing With Two 180g LP Releases on November 11, Followed by Two More on December 9
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 17, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 17, 2022  |  8 comments

You asked for it, and now you’ve got it. To wit: Verve Records/UMe and Third Man Records have partnered together to resurrect the popular Verve By Request reissue series. Focusing on rare gems and fan-requested jazz albums from the Verve Label Group’s stable of iconic labels, this intriguing vinyl series will offer two titles per month, each entry having been handpicked by Verve and Third Man. These selections will include long-out-of-print titles from the vault, in addition to first-ever vinyl pressings for albums released in the 1990s and 2000s that were only available on CD and digital formats. Read on to find out which vintage albums are making the initial Verve/Third Man 180g cut for proper reissuing between November 2022 and June 2023. . .

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Analog Gear News
Insider Report: Acoustic Signature NEO Series Turntables
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 12, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 12, 2022  |  4 comments

Yesterday, I spoke at length on the phone with Robert Hagemann of Acoustic Signature, the notable German manufacturer of top-tier turntables, tonearms, cartridges, phono preamps, record clamps, and other related accessories. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs regarding the scope of and philosophy behind all the NEO series entries in Acoustic Signature’s turntable and tonearm product offerings, and which of the company’s ’tables we’re likely to review next. . .

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News
Jim Croce’s Benchmark You Don’t Mess Around With Jim Album Sees a 50th Anniversary Limited-Edition 180g LP Release on November 25
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 11, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 11, 2022  |  12 comments

BMG isn’t messing around with this one — and neither are we. To wit: The late, great singer/songwriter Jim Croce’s benchmark April 1972 album You Don’t Mess Around With Jim is getting properly feted with a 50th anniversary 180g 1LP release on November 25. Read on to find out all the operational details. . .

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Analog Gear News
Hagerman Audio Labs Trumpets Upgrades to the Company’s 4th-Generation Bugle MC Phono Preamp
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 04, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 04, 2022  |  10 comments

Admirers of Hagerman Audio Labs’ Bugle series of phono preamps have plenty to trumpet about these days, as the company’s fourth-generation Bugle MC is now available. What’s changed, and what’s been upgraded in this 4th-gen unit? Read on to find out what’s what. . .

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News
The Beach Boys Celebrate a Creatively Fruitful Era With Sail On Sailor - 1972 180g 5LP+1EP Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set on November 18
Mike Mettler  |  Oct 03, 2022  |  First Published: Oct 03, 2022  |  11 comments

The Beach Boys sailed into quite a creatively fruitful period in 1972, and a new 180g 5LP+1EP box set dubbed Sail On Sailor - 1972 — slated to be released on November 18 via Capitol/UMe — captures the gist of their labors during such a key transitional year in the band’s history. In addition to the linchpin bookend releases Carl And The Passions – “So Tough” and Holland, this 105-track collection also includes 80 unreleased outtakes, live recordings, demos, alternate versions, alternate mixes, instrumentals, and a cappella tracks. Read on, reader to find out everything that lies within this historical Beach Boys collection. . .

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