Mike Mettler

BackTalk: Tom Scholz of Boston

The ace guitarist/producer/wizard of all trades on remastering his band's Greatest Hits, the misnomer of "perfect" sound, and why analog rules.

By Mike Mettler
Posted July 18, 2008

Why did you decide to remaster the Boston Greatest Hits CD (Epic/Legacy)? For one thing, the other Greatest Hits CD [from 1997] was horrible-sounding - not as bad as Third Stage [chuckles], but it was an older CD, back from the days when Pro Tools was still a fledgling thing, and a lot of that mastering was done in 1

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Track One: Opening Doors with Ray Manzarek

The Doors’ keyboard whiz on why everybody loves their first album, waiting for the warmth of vinyl, and how to perceive surround sound.

By Mike Mettler
Posted July 5, 2008

Are you happy with how Eagle Vision's Classic Albums DVD of The Doors turned out? I think it's great. Somebody said to me, "Gee, you guys are still willing to talk about it." And I said, "Well, of course. We loved making the first album. We had a lot of fun." Why?

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BackTalk: Tim Kring & Jesse Alexander of Heroes

Two of the masterminds behind the hit NBC series on the value of Blu-ray, future extras, and why the show has to look as good as it does.

By Mike Mettler
Posted July 7, 2008

What makes the release of Heroes: Season 2 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc worth our time, attention, and dollars?

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Home Theater Heroes

'Heroes' star Masi Oka punches up some prime examples of how to maximize the power of your home entertainment experience on Blu-ray.

By Mike Mettler
Posted August 13, 2008

When asked how he'd like to see his own role defined in our ever-escalating high-definition home-entertainment world, Masi Oka, star of NBC's hit fantasy/sci-fi series Heroes, reaches for the stars. "I'd like to be known as a visionary Blu-ray Bluetooth," he smiles.

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BackTalk: Julie Benz from 'Dexter'

Dexter’s better half on looking real in high-def, what makes for a good commentary, and the couple’s “happily ever after” scenario.

By Mike Mettler
Posted September 26, 2008

The opening-credits sequence for Dexter is an absolute wonder to watch and listen to on DVD, wouldn't you agree?Oh, yes. Those opening credits are brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. They're creepy; they're cool. Everything that the show is gets encapsulated in those opening credits. A certain genius was at work when they were put together.

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Rooftop of Dreams

An upscale chicago sports-club installation gives fans a score of high-def viewing options

By Mike Mettler
Posted September 30, 2008

Ah, sweet home Chicago. I remember partaking in a number of great local traditions when I used to call the Windy City my backyard: Going to Buddy Guy's Legends club for a late night of tasty blues. Seeing the Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. Taking in a Chicago Cubs game in the bleachers at Wrigley Field.

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Lisa Loeb Takes Us to Camp Vinyl

The super-savvy singer/songwriter on embracing your inner hi-fi geek and loving the LP.

By Mike Mettler
Posted October 1, 2008

You've always been a bit of a hi-fi geek, haven't you? I have. On prom night, my boyfriend and I checked out stereo speakers at an all-night speaker sale. It was a big deal back then, a ritual - you had to get the perfect speakers, and set your room up a certain way.

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Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Season 1

Blu-ray Review

By Mike Mettler
Posted October 3, 2008

Warner Movie •••½ Picture •••• Sound •••• Extras •••½ Can a great TV drama have an endoskeleton

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Talkin’ DVD Politics with Tom Smothers

The outspoken and groundbreaking comedian on finally getting his show on DVD, the ever-present threat of censorship, and why it’s cool to have known Jimi Hendrix.

By Mike Mettler
Posted October 10, 2008

I find it interesting that you chose to start releasing The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on DVD (Time Life) with a collection of the best episodes from Season 3 (1968-69). That's the season we got fired from CBS. I was very, very, very reluctant to put this show out on home video.

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Editor-in-Chief Mike Mettler's Top 50 Albums of All Time

My amazing journey through a long-gestating list of the good, the better, and the best music I’ve ever heard.

By Mike Mettler
Posted October 27, 2008

As I noted in one of the five entries I wrote for our Top 50 Albums of All Time list (actually, I also penned three of the uncredited entries for albums 41-50 - see if you can guess which ones once our master list posts), I became an audio journalist to extol the virtues of great-sounding recordings.

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