Music Reviews / Audiophile There are “Greatest Hits” albums, and then there are curated journeys . Lionel Richie’s 2012 release, Icon , falls into the latter category. While hardcore fans might own Back to Front or The Definitive Collection , the Icon series—slotted neatly between a budget comp and a box set—offers a surprisingly tight listening experience.
Rediscovering a Legend: Why Lionel Richie’s “Icon” (2012) in FLAC is a Must-Have for Audiophiles Lionel Richie - Icon -2012- FLAC
But today, we aren’t just talking about the tracklist. We are talking about Music Reviews / Audiophile There are “Greatest Hits”
For the casual fan who wants a party-starter and a tear-jerker in one disc, this tracklist is perfect. For the audiophile, serves as a masterclass in 80s production quality. It proves that pop music, when played back losslessly, has just as much texture and depth as any jazz recording. It proves that pop music, when played back
Unlike other compilations that remaster the 80s pop sheen into oblivion, the Icon master tapes (2012) sit in a sweet spot: loud enough for modern car stereos, but dynamic enough to respect the original analog recordings. If you download the MP3 (320kbps) version of this album, Lionel is in the room with you. If you play the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) version, you are in the studio with him.
Check second-hand CD stores for the 2012 disc, or purchase the digital FLAC from 7digital or Qobuz. Do you prefer the Commodores years or the solo 80s ballads? Let us know in the comments.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Docked one star only for the omission of "Stuck on You," but forgiven for the sonic fidelity.