Animation

I wish this was 5.1 surround, but at least it is a noticeable improvement over the original release.

When the 'Animation' album first came out in 1982, I was there and I bought the vinyl recording. I even went to see Jon in concert for his 'Animation' tour. I tell you these things because I want you to know that I've been a long-time Jon Anderson fan, and I know this album very well. I completely wore out my vinyl copy because it is my favorite Anderson solo album.I am like you, I read reviews before purchasing a product, so I purchased this digital recording with trepidation. There are negative reviews, so I was worried about what I was going to get. One reviewer claimed the CD was mastered from a worn out vinyl copy, with hissing and popping to boot. Not true.The copy I received is very good. It is crystal clear, and I mean CRYSTAL CLEAR. There is no hissing or popping; just pure music. I've always felt that the original vinyl had the high end boosted up a bit, and this digital copy is no exception. I think the digital CD sounds true to the spirit of the original vinyl. I believe Jon likes his solo albums this way; take his other great album for example, 'In the City of Angels'. The mixing quality is just like this one, but I think that's Jon's own taste and no one else's. Besides, if you don't like the high-end aspects in the tracks, you can equalize it differently.As for the people who purchased those strange sounding copies, with the hissing and popping, I believe they may have been scammed. They may have purchased an unauthorized copy from scammers trying to make a buck off devoted Anderson fans. I'm sorry for them, but this is not Jon's fault. I received a great copy from a merchant on Amazon named 'best_music_service'. If you're going to purchased this album, you might as well get it from that reliable source, (if they're still selling it).

I was reluctant to get this disc because of some of the reviews stating that the audio was horrible, some suggesting that it sounded like it was recorded off a vinyl album. Nothing could be further from the truth. I listen to my music on headphones and other than a bit of tape hiss in a few of the quieter spots, (very slight), it sounds crisp and clean.I have a cassette of this album which I haven't played in decades, for obvious reasons, and wow have I missed listening to this. I'm shocked at how modern it sounds! With all of the electronic chirps and studio texturing, this could have been released now. Each song is unique and interesting. Jon sounds fantastic. My only quibbles, (too small to move my rating down a star), are that there are none of the liner notes that were included with the cassette, and that one of the bonus tracks, (The Spell), doesn't feel quite finished. The last bonus track, (Spider) is terrific! I would recommend this disc to any YES or Jon Anderson fan.

"Animation," Anderson fans' favorite solo album by many accounts, took a long time to get released on CD. When it did, it quickly became apparent that buyers were hoodwinked with a CD copy of a very bad album pressing.Happily, this is NOT the case with this 2021 "Remastered and Expanded Edition." This is much better. That said, it still shows its "digital" age as Anderson updated his sound with the latest in 1982 digital technology. It sounds like it -- like many albums recorded during those early digital days. But this is much closer to a clean version of the original album and well worth the price.MAKE SURE YOU'RE BUYING THE 2021 RELEASE OF THE "REMASTERED AND EXPANDED EDITION." All others are horrible CD transfers from a vinyl copy in bad condition.

Loved the album when it first came out in 1982, bu I guess they still don't have the master tapes to do a proper digital transfer because this still sounds less than optimal. Still, the music is fabulous.

Este es uno de esos discos que sorprenden. Arranca con un tema bien pop. Anderson haciendo pop? SI. El segundo tema, largo pero no rebuscado, agradable. El resto sigue una línea Amderson de los 80, donde aquellos que hacían progresivo se estaban adaptando a este nueva década. Temas más cortos y nada conceptual. Parece raro que diga que es imprescindible después de este comentario, pero en realidad, es un disco de Anderson que escucho de punta a punta y termino satisfecho. Parejo y agradable. No esperen sonido YES.

'All God's Children' is really good; play it at a higher volume, if possible! The song that bugs me, though,is 'Boundaries.' Jon basically copied the song, later, using it on the 'Open Your Eyes' album, from YES; he simply changed some of the verse and re-named it 'Somehow, Someday.' If you cannot think of new material (and need to steal music from your own solo albums) then perhaps you should not be making a YES album, eh? Just sayin'...

Be advised I'm confident it was a previous release (pre - 2021 on a different label) which wrought such negative reviews concerning distortion, clipping and shrill in the higher frequency range. Confident because I too made the mistake of buying that disappointing issue. Hats off to Mark Powell, Vicky Powell and Paschal Byrne at the Audio Archiving Company for this splendid 24-bit remaster of this wonderful album. Now I (and perhaps you as well) can finally retire that worn out vinyl copy from so many years ago. Well done Esoteric! A fine job on Olias of Sunhillow and Song of Seven as well.

Finally a fantastic sounding version of this brilliant album. Bin your old Opio/Voiceprint version which was overdriven and terrible sounding with everything too loud and distorted. My own needledrop recording from my vinyl obliterated that version.Esoteric pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat again. My guess is if you are reading this you know how great, uplifting and amazing this album is and were wondering how this version stacks up sound wise. Don't worry - it sounds a billion times better than the Opio issue just buy it - it's how it should have always sounded on CD, it's how you want it to sound - the songs shine instead of being painful to listen to. Great !!!!

I bought an mp3 version of this album a few years back, on the back of having (and loving) the ‘Surrender’ 7” single (with it’s great b side ‘Spider’). I absolutely loved pretty much every track, but the quality was genuinely appalling...I mean near unlistenable. The songs were all great, but shamefully badly presented.As soon as I saw this remaster was on it’s way I pre-ordered (very rare for me)...and wow...there it is, the best Anderson album (for me) in crystal clarity. Absolutely brilliant; strong songs, melodies...yes, even ok lyrics lol. Anderson assembled some great players for this one, and you can hear every single note of all their contributions. Even some of the more cheesy 80s synth tones seem to be a bit more ‘timeless’ thanks to the cleaned up treatment.I can’t stress enough the improvement on the previous issues...well done Esoteric (again).Should be in any Anderson/Yes collection (and near the top too :-)).

Finally a proper Remaster of an excellent album. If you have the 2006 so called Remaster, throw it in the Bin. If you have the original vinyl release, put it back in its sleeve, thank it for the memories and say goodbye. This release has brought extra detail, clarity and instruments and vocals have more room to breath; it sounds less cluttered than the original vinyl. The bass guitar is brought forward more on some tracks and it's a great bonus to the overall sound. There are details in this release I hadn't heard in the vinyl. Highly recommended. Well done Esoteric and Paschal Byrne.

I recall buying this album on release in 1982, the follow-up to 1980's Song of Seven. This Esoteric/Cherry Red 2021 reissue has been remastered, and sounds glorious, vibrant and alive.It's been probably 30 years since I last heard it in full, which is far too long. Jon has brought along a terrific group of musicians and guests on board. It's a celebratory offering, inspired by the birth of his daughter Jade Genevieve, full of joy.

Dug out Olias and enjoyed listening to that again, bought this on the back of that enthusiasm. Mistake. Dreary, bland pop and not really a prog album at all. Will never play it.