The 2013 release of Foreigner's album Agent Provocateur in FLAC 24-bit/192kHz format is a high-resolution digital remaster. This specific version is aimed at audiophiles seeking the highest possible fidelity from the 1984 multi-platinum album. Technical & Release Overview

Release Date: While the original album was released in 1984, this specific high-resolution digital remaster was made available around 2013 through HDtracks and other high-res music retailers. Format: FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) Resolution: 24-bit depth / 192kHz sampling rate.

Mastering: This version is typically sourced from the original master tapes, providing significantly more dynamic range and detail than the standard 16-bit/44.1kHz CD release. Album Highlights

Chart Success: The album reached #1 in the UK and #4 in the US. Key Tracks:

"I Want to Know What Love Is": The band's biggest hit, featuring the New Jersey Mass Choir. The 24/192 resolution provides much greater clarity in the layering of the choir and synth textures.

"That Was Yesterday": Known for its heavy use of synthesizers, which benefit from the increased headroom of the high-res format.

"Reaction to Action": Showcases the hard-rock edge of Lou Gramm’s vocals and Mick Jones’ guitar work. Audiophile Report & Performance

Dynamic Range: Most reports indicate a "DR" (Dynamic Range) score that remains faithful to the original production, avoiding the "loudness war" compression found in many modern remasters.

Sonic Profile: Listeners often note a "wider soundstage" and "airier" high frequencies. The percussion is snappier, and the separation between the dense 80s synthesizers and guitars is more pronounced than on the original CD.

File Size: Expect a large footprint; at 24/192, this album typically occupies between 1.5 GB to 2.2 GB of storage space.

Released on December 14, 1984, Agent Provocateur stands as a pivotal chapter in Foreigner's history, representing the apex of their commercial success and a significant shift toward a more synth-heavy, melodic rock sound. For audiophiles, the 2013 high-resolution remaster (FLAC 24-bit/192kHz) provides a definitive way to experience the album's intricate production and historical weight.  Artistic Evolution and Internal Friction 

By the time the band entered the studio for Agent Provocateur, internal dynamics were shifting. Guitarist Mick Jones and vocalist Lou Gramm, the band's primary songwriters, were increasingly at odds over the group's direction. While Gramm preferred the "full throttle" hard rock of their earlier years, Jones pushed for more expansive, keyboard-driven ballads.  This tension produced a unique sonic landscape: 

The Power Ballads: The album is anchored by the world-renowned "I Want to Know What Love Is," a gospel-infused masterpiece featuring the New Jersey Mass Choir. It remains Foreigner's only #1 single in both the US and UK.

Melodic Pop-Rock: Tracks like "That Was Yesterday" showcased a polished, radio-friendly sound that successfully bridged the gap between AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) and pop.

The Rocker Core: Songs such as "Tooth and Nail" and "She’s Too Tough" served as reminders of the band's hard-rock roots, though they were often overshadowed by the massive success of the singles.  The 2013 High-Resolution Experience 

The 2013 remaster in FLAC 24-bit/192kHz format is designed to capture the "freshly buffed sheen" of the album's original production. High-resolution audio at this bitrate offers: 

Dynamic Range: Better separation between the layered synthesizers (six different players were credited) and Mick Jones' guitar work.

Vocal Clarity: Lou Gramm's performance, particularly the nuances in his "force and restraint" on tracks like "Down on Love," is presented with greater intimacy.

Instrumental Texture: The brooding low keyboards and "big loud noise" at the start of "I Want to Know What Love Is" gain a physical presence that is often lost in standard CD or compressed formats.  Legacy 

Though it would be the penultimate release for the band's classic lineup, Agent Provocateur remains a "masterpiece that has stood the test of time". It was certified triple Platinum in the US, cementing Foreigner's status as arena-rock legends.  Foreigner Album Agent Provocateur Review and Discussion

The 2013 Reissues: What Actually Exists

In 2013, several reissues of Agent Provocateur appeared:

1. Rock Candy Records (UK) – Released a remastered CD (standard 16/44.1) with bonus tracks and extensive liner notes. No high-res digital.
2. Atlantic/Rhino (US) – Reissued the album on CD as part of a budget line. No high-res.
3. Digital Downloads – Platforms like Qobuz, HDTracks, and 7digital began offering Agent Provocateur in 16/44.1 FLAC, and in some regions, a supposed 24/96 FLAC. However, a 24/192 version has never been commercially sold by any legitimate store.

The confusion likely stems from:

• Unofficial vinyl rips (24/192) uploaded to torrent sites.
• Software upsampling (taking a CD or 24/96 file and converting it to 24/192, which adds no real information).
• Mislabeled files from the early 2010s era of audiophile piracy.

What Does “FLAC 24-192” Mean?

• FLAC – Free Lossless Audio Codec. It compresses audio without any loss of data, unlike MP3 or AAC.
• 24-bit – The bit depth. Standard CD is 16-bit. 24-bit provides vastly greater dynamic range (144 dB vs. 96 dB), theoretically capturing studio master quality.
• 192kHz – The sampling rate. CD uses 44.1 kHz. 192 kHz captures frequencies up to 96 kHz—far beyond human hearing (20 kHz) but beneficial for avoiding aliasing and preserving ultrasonic content during studio processing.

For classic rock recordings from 1984, which were mixed and mastered on analog tape and early digital gear (sometimes 16-bit/44.1k or 16-bit/48k), a true 24/192 transfer requires a fresh analog-to-digital conversion from the original master tapes.

1. General album info (official releases)

• Artist: Foreigner
• Album: Agent Provocateur
• Original release date: December 1984 (Atlantic Records)
• Notable tracks: I Want to Know What Love Is, Reaction to Action, Down on Love
• Original mastering: Mostly analog (1980s digital possible on some later pressings)

The 2013 Context

The "2013" timestamp usually aligns with the "HD Remastering" initiatives that were becoming popular on platforms like HDtracks and various streaming services dedicated to audiophiles. During this era, labels began going back to original analog master tapes to create new digital transfers at these high specifications.

For Agent Provocateur, a 24/192 FLAC version allows listeners to hear the album with a clarity that mimics the studio control room. The intricate layering of synthesizers in "Urgent" (from the previous album but stylistically similar) or the sheer wall of sound in "I Want to Know What Love Is" benefits greatly from the reduction in digital aliasing and the preservation of high-frequency harmonics often lost in MP3 or standard CD rips.

4. How to verify authenticity (for collectors)

• Check spectral analysis (e.g., Spek, Audacity)
  • Genuine 192 kHz content should show musical information above 48 kHz.
  • Flat cutoff at 22–24 kHz → upsampled CD.
• Dynamic range – Original master is somewhat compressed but not brickwalled.
• Official sources – Qobuz, HDtracks, Acoustic Sounds have not released this album in 24/192.

Foreigner – Agent Provocateur (2013 Reissue): The Quest for a 24-Bit/192kHz Audiophile Edition

The “2013 – FLAC 24-192” Myth: Why It Spreads

Online music pirates and metadata aggregators often invent release years. A file labeled: Foreigner - Agent Provocateur -2013- -FLAC 24-192- …likely means:

• 2013 – User added the year of the CD reissue, not the digital file creation.
• FLAC 24-192 – User upsampled a lower-resolution source and incorrectly tagged it.

Always verify with tools like Spek (spectral analyzer) or mediainfo. If the file’s bitrate is constant around 4608 kbps but shows a hard cut at 22 kHz or 48 kHz, it’s a fake.