Didn’t realise that. I think the last record had everything on vinyl?
"Rear View Mirror" and "Every Heart in the Room" weren't on vinyl until the 2009 - 2018 box set.
and electronic youth-oriented music existed throughout all his life
Really?
Look at any current pop chart and tell me what you think compares from the 1950s. There was assembly line writing and production, sure, but it was still with an underlying craft. Nowadays, there
is an awful lot of music that barely has any human element. The John Mayers, Taylor Swifts and Sam Fenders of today are exceptions that also appeal to parts of the (predominantly older) rock crowd because of that.
And how then does it differ from over-production and overly long post-production Mark was complaining basically from the beginning of his solo career? Instead of long post-production, let's have a long pre-production then but rush everything else. Is this how it works now?
It's quite remarkable how Mark steps in the same water so many times. Dire Straits ended with a long exhausting tour, 9 people on stage, overly produced albums or whatever. Mark's solo career has its sunset (judging by 2 cover pictures in a row) with 11 (!) people on stage, a long exhausting tour, and overly pre-produced albums.
We all love Mark and it's a fan forum, I know, just want to remind people to lower their expectations and never take anything for face value.
Sure, he can shoot himself in the foot. But if the pre-production works for him, then I don't see a reason to take exception to it. Would the songs sound more spontaneous, fresher without it? Maybe.