Frank Sinatra: No One Cares

No One Cares: MOFI's Digitally-Influenced Sinatra Reissue Falls Short

Frank Sinatra's seventeenth studio album, "No One Cares," follows the melancholic path established by his previous release "Where Are You?" Like the critically acclaimed "In the Wee Small Hours" and "Only the Lonely," this album consists of sad, lonesome, and gloomy songs—so much so that many consider it Sinatra's darkest and most emotionally devastating work. Even Sinatra himself bluntly described the collection as "suicide songs."

Mobile Fidelity's Controversial Reissue
Released by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs as part of their GAIN 2™ Ultra Analog Series Frank Sinatra Collection, "No One Cares" was marketed as an "Original Master Recording," supposedly "specially plated and pressed on 180 gram high definition vinyl and mastered from the original master tapes." However, as has been extensively documented, MOFI incorporated a digital step in their mastering process without disclosing this fact to consumers—meaning this release and virtually all MOFI pressings since 2012 aren't truly "Ultra Analog" as advertised.

Sound Quality Assessment
The digital influence on this pressing is noticeable to the discerning ear. The warmth and depth that audiophiles expect from a genuinely all-analog pressing—characteristics that were present in MOFI's earlier Frank Sinatra boxed set—are conspicuously missing from this release. While the record sounds good with respectable detail retrieval, it fails to deliver the emotional impact and analog richness that this material deserves.

The high-resolution digital step in the mastering chain seems to have stripped away some of the organic quality of the recordings, resulting in a presentation that's technically proficient but emotionally distant. The atmospheric qualities that make Sinatra's torch song albums so immersive and affecting are diminished here.

The Vinyl Verdict
For serious Sinatra collectors and vinyl enthusiasts seeking the most authentic presentation of "No One Cares," MOFI's release paradoxically may not be the best option despite its premium price point. The recent standard remasters may actually provide a more satisfying listening experience at a considerably lower cost.
This release serves as a reminder that technical specifications and premium packaging don't always translate to superior musical enjoyment. While not a poor pressing by any means, it simply doesn't deliver the transcendent listening experience that Sinatra's emotionally charged performances warrant—and that MOFI's marketing might lead buyers to expect.

For those seeking to experience the full emotional weight of Sinatra's darkest collection of songs, exploring alternative pressings might prove more rewarding than investing in this technically proficient but somewhat soulless audiophile edition. 💸

💰 Invest
 💵 Consider
💸 Pass