Matthew Sweet - Altered Beast - Hybrid Stereo SACD

2021 release

Artist-Approved Expanded Edition On SACD.
Mastered Direct-to-DSD From The Original Analog Master Tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound.

The middle entry in Matthew Sweet's holy 90's Power-Pop Trilogy, Altered Beast is a sprawling, multi-dimensional power-pop trip finally presented at its artistic fullest. Sweet was a songwriting machine in this period, and in doing source research a third analog master reel with 6 extra tracks was discovered. Intervention's Expanded Edition CD/SACD is a 21-track Beast that shows a master songwriter at his prolific best.

While many of these extra tracks were used as B-sides on CD singles and saw release on other compilations, Intervention's Expanded Edition places these songs in the context they they belong, with the album for which they were recorded. Hearing the quality of tracks like "Superdeformed" one wonders how Altered Beast wasn't originally a bigger CD set!

Altered Beast is Mastered Direct-to-DSD from the Original Master Tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound. The Master Tapes are 30ips 1/2" analog reels, and the six bonus tracks are on their own reel. Intervention's mastering opens up the sound stage and for the very first time presenting this amazing recording will FULL bass extension and dynamic power! The result is the best-sounding Altered Beast that's ever been or ever will be! This is simply a fabulous-sounding rock recording that's big, bold and super fun to listen to.

The album art is beautifully restored by IR's Tom Vadakan and housed in a super jewel box.

    Altered Beast is a brilliant, ambitious creation ...
    -Rarebird's