The Sisters Of Mercy – First And Last And Always

I took the time to compare this version with the 5 other editions I have in my collection.

It is particularly noticeable that the superlatives found in other reviews here are complete nonsense: the MFSL version is neither the best nor the worst edition of this album. The remaster adds more transparency to the sound, everything is clearer and more detailed. In my opinion, the original atmosphere doesn’t get lost at all. It remains the doom and gloom album we all love. The remaster is punchy, musical and dynamic. However, the Japanese first pressing remains my all-time benchmark, nothing beats this favorite.

If you do not own any copy of this album yet, there’s nothing wrong in buying the MFSL version. If you are already in possession of another nice sounding version, there is no need to buy this one on top.

Clear downsides of the MFSL version for me are: still too much surface noise between the tracks for a brandnew audiophile release even after professional cleaning and the lack of the original inner sleeve. Furthermore, on some tracks like Possession, it tends to be cut a little bit too hot as it shows light signs of sibilance, at least on my system (Ortofon 2M Black, Technics SL-1200G).

And now for the sake of completeness… I compared the MFSL to the following releases:

1. UK 1st 1985
2. EU 1st 1985
3. UK 2nd reissue 1985
4. EU 3rd reissue 1985
5. UK Remaster 2015

Hope this helps others with their purchasing decisions. 😉

I read somewhere that the Mofi release has the different japanese mix. Is that true?

I have the original, the Japanese release, and the box set with the three WEA 12" singles and whilst I had high hopes for this I think it is probably the most disappointed I have been in a record purchase. If, as suggested, there were different US and UK mixes and the US was far thinner then i can understand why this is popular with those who grew to love this album in that incarnation, but for someone used the far more 'present' UK version, this sounds tinny, remote and underwhelming.

This thing sounds GREAT! Tracks like Marian and Fist Last and Always hint on epic level awesome. Takes me back decades to the old goth clubs of the 90's! RIP Atomic cafe Austin where I'm almost positive, saw them there. #7999

The MFSL vinyl sounds OK, not the best. Comparing back to back with the OG Japanese pressing, it just doesn’t hold up. The Japanese version has far more dynamic range. The MFSL sound is more compressed then it should be (it’s originally a very compressed recording). If you want a clean version to listen to, it’s a good buy. But if you want the best sounding version look for a Merciful Release Japanese pressing, you won’t be disappointed.

phew, where to start?
Having tret myself to this following the fantastic "All i Know for Sure" article tracking the various versions i am really divided on this.
I can hear the attraction but think i will be sticking with the UK original (or just spotify). I am lucky enough to have a lot of the original stuff having been rootling through 2nd hand record stores in the 90s and i like the warm, dense sound of those versions.
This feels like something from a parallel world. I'm not saying it's bad, and I am not saying i don't enjoy it, but it really is a different approach to the sound. Generally the "more clarity is always better" approach is a good starting point but there is a tipping point where the pursuit of clarity takes away from the life of the song, and this does that for me.
Andrew's vocals and the backing voices are definitely much improved and sit wrapped within Wayne's guitar in a pleasing way, but the guitar tone is too steely and brittle. This then upsets the balance for the [retuned?] snare forcing it to bob up and down under the compression (ing for some people hearing an uneven eq??). The bass end is more homogeneous, but lacks oomph, it's polite and ing rather than insistent and unifying.

Historically, I can now hear a very short step from this version of the album to God's Own Medicine. And if that wasn't controversial enough i'll tell you what else it reminds me of https://discogs.cinepelis.org/master/48830-U2-War, essentially the US arm of the record company chose a set of mixes that would fit sonically into the retail space of the other big, post-punk act from across the pond.

IMHO
December 22

Having listened to this since it was released this mofi lp dominates all versions.
I have heard panning background vocals never heard & the overall sound is the best it could be with the mastes I'm sure.
I'm sold.
Can't wait to wrap my head around floodland.

Here's my two penneth....

Had this (and all other Sisters records from Body Electric until they went shit i.e. when Mark left) and I have to agree with the previous comments regarding the sound being different'. It's not better (perhaps technically, but certainly not atmospherically), just different. It is a completely new take on this album to me. My wife, who is no audiophile, but did go to practically all the early (pre-1985) Sisters gigs (we're from Wakefield) says it "sounds posh", which is a pretty accurate description. My copy is quiet and perfect by the way.

Absolutely amazing and pristine version of this album. The level of detail is amazing and there is absolutely no surface noise. Some of the negative reviews may be from casual listeners who don’t understand the sound of the original source, that is, how the album was meant to sound. I’ve heard this album hundreds of times and hearing it on this MOFI release really impressed me!! And yes it’s a rather quiet pressing but nothing a little volume couldn’t fix

Not happy with the sound of this remaster, intermittent highs & lows, my elliptical stylus reveals them quite vividly. The Floodland remaster is completely fantastic in comparison, real shame. Seems 50/50 on positive & negative reviews. I highly recommend auditioning on a quality system prior to purchasing, if possible.