Supermallet

There are douches on there who complain if the record is one nanometer too thick/thin, but complaints about genuine manufacturing issues is a common theme there. I stand by my statement about demand pushing QC out the door.

slop101

I wasn't arguing that. Makes sense, just unfortunate. Some import vinyl definitely have better QC than domestic ones. And a band that seems to have put way more TLC into their vinyl reissues than almost any other band is Wilco, who's new vinyl reissues are pretty phenomenal, quality-wise, both physically, and sonically.

Supermallet

In general the EU pressing plants have better QC. The Beatles stereo vinyl reissues were pressed both in the US and in Germany, and the US releases had so many issues that Apple Corps decided to only press in Germany for the 2015 mono vinyl. Similarly, if you're getting a Radiohead record, make sure it's from the EU.

Dan

Do you know how many pressing plants there are worldwide?

I saw something semi-recently about two different companies working on building NEW pressing equipment, but can't recall the names of them. I wonder if the market has actually gotten big enough to justify the need for more plants, or if there's any signs of demand dying down again to "normal" levels.

slop101

It sounded good, but I hadn't checked where it was made (I just bought the cheapest new copy I could find online), but looks like my OK Computer vinyl is made in UK, before Brexit, so that counts as EU!

CRM114

I recently got an LP loose in a giant Amazon box.

CRM114

Just to be a dick, 4 90s LPs better than any of those mentioned.

Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
Wilco - Summerteeth
R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

CRM114

First rules of vinyl collecting - always, ALWAYS leave your partner at home.

Dan

Me too. There were some of those air bags thrown in, but they hardly even held the record in place. The inner sleeve was torn on the edges pretty bad, clearly from the record getting jostled back and forth in there during transit. Amazon should know better.

slop101

All good/great albums, MSP's Holy Bible is still miles better than those.

Why So Blu?

I got one of those from Amazon UK. Luckily, it was undamaged, but the box was shit. They need to start packaging all vinyl in actual vinyl boxes not oversized crates that will get smashed upon customs entry.

Dan

I've got kind of a big ask...

If any of you are currently in L.A., would you be willing to go to a specific store to pick up a specific record, and mail it to me in Texas?

It's exclusive to the store and it's for walk-ins only. I'd pay for the record + shipping + a little extra for the effort.

Please send me a DM if you can assist.

You know I'd do it for you

Ravenous

Its a bit of a relief to see the comments about the poor quality in vinyl lately. I asked the question a bit ago but was said it was probably my player. But when I play some old, used, beat up records they play great! Some new ones I have been getting skip right off the bat on the first fucking song. And theyre new!! Im hearing Guns N Roses Appetite right now (I just got it for $12 BRAND NEW from hastings) and Welcome to the Jungle is unlistenable with non stop skipping. I cleaned it real good and it still skipped.... but in different parts. I don't know if there is shit in the grooves or what but its happening way too much to my releases. Ill event lose sound from one of the channels. Any ideas?

Supermallet

Pulp - Different Class
PJ Harvey - Dry
Bjork - Homogenic
Talk Talk - Laughing Stock

slop101

Again, those are all great, Holy Bible's better - seriously, best album of the '90s.

Speaking of great - just received that Queen box-set, and holy shit, it's pretty much the greatest box-set of anything I've ever seen. They put some serious TLC into that thing. They may be colored vinyl, but they sound great - especially Queen 2, which has always sounded "off" on CD. Vinyls were made in Germany, so there's that too.

Dan

I'm sure the more knowledgeable folks will chime in, but to me it sounds like either your needle needs replacing, or your tonearm isn't weighted properly (too light), causing it to skip and/or not make decent contact. You have to be careful adjusting that, since if it's balanced to be too heavy, then it could damage your records.

I'd take it to a shop to have it looked at. Bring a "good" album and a "bad" one and let them troubleshoot it for you.

Supermallet

I'll defend Different Class as the best album of the '90s to the day I die.

But I did listen to The Holy Bible thanks to your post and it is indeed excellent.

slop101

Love, love, love Different Class!

Nice!
And like all great albums, Holy Bible gets better the more you listen to it.

Here's a great piece on the album written two years ago on the occasion of the album's 20th anniversary.

(if you have a choice, the "US mix" of the album is better/punchier than the "original mix", and it's preferred by the band as well)

Supermallet

Which mix is used on the 20th anniversary edition? That's what I listened to through Apple Music.

slop101

The CD copies have both mixes - I don't know about digital version, most likely it's the original mix.

Ravenous

Interesting! I had thought maybe it was too light, but had no idea it could be adjusted. I did think maybe needle so I just bought one but when I used the old needle on some records it works fine; so its very spotty. I dont know what determines the skipping.

slop101

Oh, just remembered, here's a newer "private" mix, that is really good too - punchier like the US mix.

Why So Blu?

I did not know Savages had released a new album - scooped it up on the cheap via Discogs:

Dan

So... I kinda bought a lot of video game soundtracks lately. Still waiting for a couple of them to come in, but...

Furi
excellent synthwave. Should have it next week.


Undertale
Pre-ordered last week. My kid LOVED watching me play this game. She loves just walking around in it, not doing anything (she's 3. she'll get there)


Ori and the Blind Forest
Amazing score. Still waiting for this to come in.


Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
All the songs are fantastic, but Another Winter is the best.


Castlevania
mentioned earlier in this thread, I think. Quality is OK, but it has issues. Music is so iconic, though.


Every DataDiscs release... I support these folks because their prices are totally reasonable for what they offer. No overpriced picture discs from this company.
Streets of Rage, Shenmue, Shinobi III


Super Hang-on, Streets of Rage 2, Out Run


Golden Axe I & II


... and a few more I'm hoping to procure in the next week or so.


Meanwhile, I've been listening to all my records in order, from A to Zed. I'm almost done the B's. My wife was ready to leave me about halfway through my 11 Autechre LPs/EPs.

slop101

Cool little video of Wilco's new album being pressed.

I also stumbled on this, the mastering and pressing of their Whole Love vinyl, which reinforces my opinion that Wilco probably puts more thought, love & care into their vinyls than most other bands/labels.