Would someone inform Kevin James and the crew at Q-104.5 FM WRFQ that their version of the Rolling Stones‘ 1965 hit “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (from the US release Out of our Heads) is totally out of phase? In other words, the phase relationship between the stereo frequencies are basically backwards, which cancels certain tracks out of the mix. Maybe it’s a mono/stereo thang. It sounds weird every time.

On Q104.5’s rotation version of “Satisfaction,” Brian Jones’ sloppy acoustic rhythm track is way too loud (in the left speaker), while Keith Richards’ signature electric guitar riff is barely audible (in the right speaker). That’s unsatisfactory.

While “Satisfaction” needs some attention, the station deserves major kudos for sticking with the original version of ZZ Top‘s “La Grange” (the dry ‘n’ tight-sounding version from the 1973 album Tres Hombres, rather than the “beefed-up” noise-gate shitty drum mix of the 1994 remixed/remastered version). Most other “classic rock” stations stick with the goofy new version. Thankfully, Q104.5 dishes out the real ZZ Top thing. A’ how-how-how-how.

Rock and roll. Hell yeah.


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