Marshall Crenshaw – Field Day

Crenshaw's sophomore release features a clutch of well-written tunes that are nearly undermined by Steve Lillywhite's over-the-top, bombastic production. You like the sound of big drums? Vocals that sound like they were recorded at the bottom of a mine shaft? You need this album. Despite the booming drums and echo-drenched vocals, this remains an enjoyable listen, teeming with melodies and hooks galore. "Whenever You're On My Mind" is one of his best, and "Our Town", "Monday Morning Rock" and "For Her Love" are all gems. No issues with this pressing, it sounds perfectly fine, considering the production. My copy is in nice shape, with virtually no surface noise.

One of the greatest collection of pop songs ever assembled and one of the ten best LPs of the 80s. There's nothing close to a throwaway track here and Crenshaw pours his heart out on all of them. The production is another matter, while I've come to embrace it as part of the overall experience I cannot say it's sonically defensible in even a general sense. Steve Lillywhite...I don't know what the thinking was but the mid-range is non-existent to foggy at best and the drums just sound flat out wrong. Too much reverb/echo on Crenshaw's vocals and the aural soup is complete. Don't let it stop you from hearing this masterpiece if you're unfamiliar with it, again the songs are just perfect, but the sound needs to be noted. Looking forward to hearing the new reissue.

Kevin Gray knocks it out of the park again. Without a doubt the best this LP has sounded and will likely ever sound. This still retains the boomy production of the original LP but brings a bit of order to the chaotic sound. As someone described the original, the album has a high school gym vibe to it. This mastering moves the band out of the gym and into the auditorium. He really did a great job cleaning up the midrange. Vocals and drums are much more tolerable. But it still has plenty of reverb and hits hard. The 2023 mastering by Greg Calbi is OK, and probably a bit more faithful to the original. But this is a more enjoyable listen.

What an album! Unique sounding and definitely worth owning. Agreed not an audiophile sounding album but Intervention Records did a fantastic job here.

This is one of those weird pop / power pop records where it takes a long time to stick… but you’ll be happy you took the time and waited for it to stick. Intervention reissued it and did a wonderful job. The extra disc has a bit better fidelity but realistically speaking this is far from an “audiophile” album. It’s just a great record and this is the best it’ll sound. (I’m also really in love with the art and color on this version!)

Getting very rare to find. Just glad i found mine after losing my original Field Day

My LP has gold foil print on front cover "Lent for Promotional Use Only...

To whom may know how to edit properly,
The first release of "Field Day" on compact disc was Warner Brothers 075992387323 in spring of 1992. Not listed here as of 1/17/20. Was working in Tracks at that time (the former great Record Bar), and bought F.D. and Downtown which also had its' initial cd release the same day.

Also, the Ⓗ equivalent (looking more like a C written over a G than either a baseball or Ⓗ) follows STERLING

Another Winchester variant? Side1: 1.2.3873 8 # 4 Side2: 1.2.3873 8 # 3