A new mix of a classic song by The Beatles has been ridiculed by fans who say it’s the “worst mix by far” of the track.
While the B-side hit I Am the Walrus has been hailed by fans as one of the very best in John Lennon‘s catalogue, fans were unimpressed by a 2023 mixture of the song. Listeners of the track took to the r/Beatles subreddit and shared their thoughts on the recent offering. Though some fans said they “prefer” a lot of the modern mixes, it appears the I Am the Walrus release has left some fans unimpressed. A listener wrote: “I Am the Walrus (2023 Mix) is the worst modern Beatles mix by far. Don’t get me wrong, I actually prefer a lot of the modern Beatles mixes over the originals, but this is an exception.
“Something about the drums sounds so artificial and over-mixed. I strongly prefer the original version, or even the Love mix. Am I crazy for this?” Fans found themselves in unfortunate disagreement, with another user saying the mix has “lost all of the symphonic elements” which made it a classic. They wrote: “Sadly, I agree 1000% with OP.
“I Am the Walrus is my favourite Beatles song, and I too generally find the remixes to provide a superior listening experience through headphones and on streaming (where I primarily listen). But man, the remix feels like it lost all of the symphonic elements of the original and basically sounds like vocals from a giant disembodied head (of John, of course), drums, and bass, and that’s it.
“What makes the song melodic enough to still pass muster notwithstanding its relative atonality is George Martin and his arrangements. I feel like the remix has none of this and just sounds like John yelling over a drum kit.
“The Love version sounds so much better, and it makes me sad thinking that the 2023 red and blue remixes were the chance to really give a great remix treatment to a legendary song, but that this chance was squandered.”
Another added: “The Love mix is the best one by far! Much more balanced, the vocals in the new mix are way too loud, taking away from the incredible arrangements. Also, the ending is way too changed, and worse.”
A third shared: “The way Giles changed the ending is absolutely wild. I hate historical revisionism like this. He did the same for “Free As a Bird”, too. I don’t know why he can’t just leave things be.”
Others were horrified by the historical revisionism, with one replying: “I think Giles was too safe on most of the mix (e.g. keeping the fake stereo of the original for the second half, which was only done to facilitate injecting the radio broadcast)… and too different on the ending.”
Not everyone was disappointed by the new mix, with one sharing: “Controversial opinion here, I love that mix. Don’t downvote, please convince me and show me your ways, cause I am willing to learn.”
