New Wave Outpost Forum

Does anyone know if The Monroes' "What Do All The People Know [LP Version]" has ever appeared on CD or is available from the original master? I have the 7" Edit version, which clocks in at 3:30, on a couple different CDs in my collection: "Modern Rock: Lost Hits of the Early '80s", released by Time Life in 2000, and "Living in Oblivion: The 80's Greatest Hits - Volume 3, released by EMI in 1994. (I see that this 7" edit was also released on Rhino's "Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 4" in 1994). The "LP Version" from the self-titled release, "The Monroes", clocks in at 4:03. I found a FLAC vinyl transfer of this 4:03 "LP Version" online, but the quality leaves me slightly disappointment. It sounds a bit muddy and has me craving for a better quality -- like those stunning vinyl transfers from Rubellan (Scott) here at the forum. This is one of my all-time favorite songs, so I've been hunting for a clean copy of the "LP Version" in lossless (or CD quality) for a long time now. I exchanged e-mails with the lead singer of The Monroes, Tony Ortiz, back in 2010 but, much to my surprise, all he had in his own collection was a low-quality vinyl transfer MP3 of the "LP Version". Recently, I heard SiriusXM's "1st Wave" play the "LP Version" in what sounds like a clean transfer. So, I'm curious if anyone has any information about the "LP VersIon" being available in high quality, master-tape quality. Thank you.

I have a CD of their EP that I bought in the 80's at a record store called Purple Haze on Long Island in New York. They had several copies and I bought 2 as I thought it was or would be a rarity. I've never seen it again, but I honestly was never thrilled with the sound quality. It sounds tinny to me. I can rip it and email it to you. Just let me know the format you'd like it in.

MasMic, how kind! Thank you very much for the offer in ripping your vinyl. Perhaps the audio quality limitations (the muddy sound) may be the result of the original pressing/mastering. Regardless, FLAC or WAV would work just fine for a rip. Thank you so much!!!

FYI. If anyone else hasn't noticed, The Monroes re-recorded "What Do All The People Know" and are selling an EP (not the original EP) of other songs through digital outlets. Amazon.com offers an actual CD for purchase (on demand, of course). The re-recorded version sounds very similar to the original, in my opinion.