Touched-up Beatles and Ringo in color

Opinions vary, but like everything connected to The Beatles, charged arguments over Giles Martin's ongoing remastering of, and sonic tinkering with, the band’s hallowed recording catalog are unending.

- BY ROBERT BAIRD

"They lack the original analog warmth." "The Al-powered 'demixing' process has produced a clearer sound with better separation." "The new mixes lose the magic of his father's original '60s mixes." "The selective use of compression is pure heresy."

To be fair, potentially changing the band's sonic profile to something more “modern” was always a no-win proposition, with zero chance of pleasing everyone. With that as a given, George Martin's son has shown that he's hyperaware that any monumental changes to the sound of Beatles’ albums or singles would likely incite a rebellion. Any Coke-vs-New Coke situation would also likely endanger his burgeoning career as the Beatles’ chosen sonic whisperer. To my ears, he has avoided outright remixing mistakes and in many cases has made slight but audible improvements.