Faces: Ohh La La

The Faces' swan-song was released by Rhino Records as a numbered edition (limited to 5,000 copies) and part of their High Fidelity series. It features Kevin Gray's remastering, which was cut from the original analog master tapes at Cohearent Audio. Without question, Gray's sound engineering mastery breathes new life into an album that's always been somewhat underrated in the band's catalog.

Gray's mastering work here is exceptional. The loose, boozy character of the band comes through without sacrificing detail or clarity. Ronnie Wood's guitar has bite and texture, Ian McLagan's piano work sparkles, and Rod Stewart's vocals sit perfectly in the mix without dominating. The dynamic range is impressive, particularly on side B where tracks like "Glad and Sorry" and the title cut reveal layers that earlier pressings muddied or lost entirely.

The pressing from Optimal Media is characteristically excellent. Surfaces are quiet, and the vinyl is flat and well centered. The tip-on gatefold sleeve is substantial, and the four panel illustrated insert includes fresh interviews with producer Glyn Johns and drummer Kenney Jones that provide real insight into the recording sessions at Olympic Studios.

What this reissue gets right is honoring the rawness and spontaneity of the original while giving it sonic clarity that makes the music more engaging. The band's chemistry, especially on looser tracks like "Silicone Grown" and "Fly in the Ointment," benefits from the clean pressing and careful mastering. This isn't an album that needs to sound polished, but it does need to sound clear, and Gray nails that balance.

The only minor disappointment is that Rhino didn't reproduce the original die cut sleeve with the moving image, but that's a packaging choice rather than a sonic one. What matters here is the music, and this pressing delivers it better than any previous version.

The Vinyl Verdict
This is the definitive pressing of an under-appreciated classic. Essential for fans of Faces, Rod Stewart, or classic rock. It is undoubtedly a strong and welcome entry in the Rhino High Fidelity series. 💰

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