Disco de Megadeth: “So Far, So Good...So What! [PA] [Remaster]”

This is Megadeth's 3rd, and in my opinion most under appreciated album. As most Megadeth fans know, the album "Rust in Peace" was critiqued very positively for its complexity and composition. Why the heck did it take them that long!? They should have listened to "So Far SO Good So What!?"! First of all, and I may be biased, but this album is VERY complex coming from a guitar players point of view. Its an ALMOST perfect blend of speed, thrash, mainstream solo, kick em' in the face type of record. It REALLY gets you pumped. Especially "Into the lungs of hell", the first song, man its an awesome musical feat for Mustaine and former guitarist Jeff Young. The song gives me Goosebumps. And every song has SOME part in it that makes you want to either headbang, or go pick up a guitar and shred! So for a serious Mega fan, this is SO the album for you.

This was Megadeth's last album released in the 1980's, and it is also considered by most fans to be their last true thrash album. "So Far, So Good...So What?" is my second favorite Megadeth album (second only to "Rust in Peace.") I might be alone in this opinion, but I do prefer this C.D. to its predecessor, (Megadeth's sophomore album "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?"). Every song on this disc (especially the instrumental) grabs me; this album is catchier and more contagious than "Peace Sells."

"So Far, So Good...So What?" hadn't aged well, and it hadn't stood the test of time, because when it was originally released, back in 1988, it came across sounding rather stale, because its production was pretty bad. Therefore, I think reissuing/remastering this album was a great idea. The result of the remaster made these songs sound better than ever! Like most of Megadeth's remasters (they reissued their whole back catalogue), the rough and raw sound of the original C.D. is gone, here, but the sound quality is clearer, louder, and all-around MUCH better.

"Into the Lungs of Hell" is the album's opening song, and it is also the instrumental. The whole song is very catchy (especially the opening guitar sounds), and a few solos are also included. It's not quite as good as Metallica's "Orion," but this song is still very good.

"Set the World Afire" should be titled "Set Our Fret Boards Afire," because this song begins with really fast, running, almost buzzsaw riffs. Three good guitar solos are tossed in, (but the first one is pushed to the back, because this song's rhythm is so crunchy.)

"Anarchy in the U.K." is a cover of an old Sex Pistols song. Some people like this cover, some people hate it; personally, I don't find anything wrong with it. It has catchy, chugging guitars and a nice sing-along chorus.

"In My Darkest Hour" begins with soft strumming, but the electric guitars make a storming/pounding entrance pretty soon thereafter. This song becomes an almost skipping beat with trippy guitar playing, and it becomes quite speedy. Two more talented solos are included around the middle, as well.

"Hook in Mouth" has chugging riffs, but there are a few subtle speed changes and the guitar work and song tempo become even faster.

"So Far, So Good...So What?" may not be as important, or influential as some other albums from this band, but it is still a great album, and definitely worth owning. This was always a great album, in fact, but it's even better now that it has been remastered. As another reviewer said, if you own the original copy of this C.D., and you're happy with its sound quality, you don't need to dish out some more money for the remaster. But if you're new, definitely buy the remaster, and don't bother with the original.

For awhile, this was my favorite Megadeth album, due in part to nostalgic reasons (it was my first Megadeth album). I love the way this one sounds, it's got great production, and some great songs. Jeff Young is overlooked as a great guitarist. I love everything about this one -- even the cover (front and back!). Recommended.

This is my second favorite Megadeth album after "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" I have a real soft spot for it in my heart and still go to it very often, probably even more often that "Peace Sells..." to be honest. Unfortunately, the only digital copy I have is compiled of 128 kbps tracks (the "Hook In Mouth" file is 96 kbps!!!)

So, when I saw this I bought it and was truly excited to finally hear the album in all it's greatness. Within the first few seconds of the first track, I knew something was wrong. This is not a "remaster"... this is a "revision" and I'm 100% against this kind of thing. Instrumentation has been added, vocals have been added and effects have been added throughout. It's unlistenable.

I'm all for remastering old albums. Clean stuff up, remove noise, remix, whatever. But it should be against the law to ADD or DELETE content. I know this album by heart and this isn't the album I grew to love.

Time to track down a vintage 1988 CD.

P.S. This reminds of when I bought my first DVD player and bought the "30th Anniversary Edition" of Night of the Living Dead. One of the producers or writers actually FILMED "missing scenes" and had some goth synth musician create the "soundtrack they always wanted but couldn't afford"... what a travesty. This is the same kind of travesty here. Horrible.

I love this album, damn the critics and fellow reviewers. Dave did the best he could while he still had a little bit of blood in his heroin stream. A new drummer and new guitarist will give you a different sound too.

Into the Lungs of Hell is a great little opening. Never did figure out what guitar effects those were. From there we get Set the World Afire. Sure it's a little dated to hear mutants ruling the streets in the year 1999. But then again Einstein will prove to be right Someday.

Anarchy in the UK? I love this version. I think Dave sounded great and the backup vocals threw it over the edge, a GREAT choice of covers IMO.

Mary Jane? I had the T-shirt with the decapitated doll on the back. Not a bad song, but not my favorite. 502 falls in with Mary Jane, it's there and it's part of the album, but nothing special. The album really picks up with In my Darkest Hour. Some of Dave's best songwriting ever. I'd put this song up against anything else in the Megadeth arsonal. I could never hear James Hetfield sing this. I'm glad there was a Megadeth.

To those who don't like LIAR. Are you crazy? This song is a juggernaut. The rambling vocal part is a metal highlight of the 80's. Hook in Mouth is good if you remember the times. If you were to be taken seriously with the kids, you HAD to write a song attacking the PMRC. You just had to.