MINUTEMEN - DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME (1984, SST x2LP)

 

1984 SST x2LP, First Pressing (White Label)

Cut at K Disc Mastering

Clarity: 5

Dynamics: 5

Tonality/Balance: 5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 5

Cut at KDisc and absolutely rips! This sounds insanely good! The detail is hot and crisp with wonderful separation while the bass is BIG and tight. The drum sound pops and the cymbals splashes are sublime. Guitar is razor sharp. There is headroom to spare in a wide, deep 3D soundstage. This is a killer pressing and one I'd rate as one of the best in my modest collection. Highest. Fucking. Recommendation.

Final Grade: Fucking Perfect

TALKING HEADS - TALKING HEADS:77 (1977, Sire)

 

1977 Sire, First Pressing

Cut at Masterdisk by Joe Gastwirt

Clarity: 4.1

Dynamics: 4.6

Tonality/Balance: 4.7

Soundstage/Image: 4.8

Pressing: 4

I like this much better than the 2024 Rhino x2 LP, though that has some nice extras. But I've yet to hear a modern remaster that has a better overall balance than a Masterdisk OG. This is cut hot and bright on top (tamed on the remaster) and the bass is tight and grooving. The drum sound here just pops! But it's the headroom in the mix that makes this sound sublime.

Final Grade: 4.44

WILCO - STAR WARS (2015, Anti/dBpm Records)

 

2015 Anti/dBpm Records, First Pressing

Mastered by Robert Ludwig, lacquer cut by Chris Bellman

Clarity: 4.3

Dynamics: 4.7

Tonality/Balance: 4.5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4.2

Mastered by the legendary Robert Ludwig and cut by Chris Bellman! That's why this sounds amazing on wax. Hot guitars, kicking low-end with crystalline detail in the midrange. The holographic soundstage is HUGE! Killer pressing once again from Wilco and CB!

Final Grade: 4.54

BECK - ODELAY (1996, Bong Load)

 

1996 Bong Load, First Pressing

Cut by James Gregory Lee

Clarity: 4.5

Dynamics: 4.5

Tonality/Balance: 4.5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4.5

Absurdly other-worldly indeed quite astounding first pressing just knocks you out. The holographic soundstage is dreamy while the barbed wire detail on top balances on tightly spring-wound basslines. The drum sound snaps and pops. WOW!! This kills the OG CD and every repress I've heard since. 

Final Grade: 4.6

BEASTIE BOYS - LICENSED TO ILL (1986, Def Jam)

 

1986 Def Jam, First Pressing

Cut at Masterdisk by Howie Weinberg

Clarity: 4.7

Dynamics: 4.8

Tonality/Balance: 4.5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4

Cut at Masterdisk by the legendary Howie Weinberg! This sounds GIGANTIC! Bottom punches and kicks but it's the headroom that really crushes the remaster/represses over the years. Detail is razor sharp and crunchy on top. If you only know this album from its digital counterpart or a modern repress, I believe you're in for a new experience. This is absolutely killer. This 3D soundstage wins hands down. Also has a locked groove after Fight for Your Right end of side one! Highest recommendation!

Final Grade: 4.6

THE WHO - MEATY BEATTY BIG AND BOUNCY (1971, Decca)

 

1971 Decca Records, First Pressing

Clarity: 3.1

Dynamics: 3.3

Tonality/Balance: 3

Soundstage/Image: 3.5

Pressing: 3

Hate the 2017 half-speed Abbey Road cut. I've been on the lookout for a clean first pressing and found one today with the small poster! Love it! This is very bright and hot on the top end, and Entwhistle's basslines are tight and crisp. Moon's snares and cymbals sound very detailed and drums kick hard. This is much more aggressive on the top than the remaster, so if your gear tends towards brightness be aware you may need to make a slight adjustment on the treble. But it's the headroom that crushes the Abbey Road remaster! Track down this OG and enjoy.

Final Grade: 3.18

BOBBIE GENTRY - THE DELTA SWEETE (1968, Capitol Records, Stereo)

 

1968 Capitol Records, Stereo

Clarity: 3.5

Dynamics: 4

Tonality/Balance: 3.7

Soundstage/Image: 3.9

Pressing: 3.5

I am obsessed with this album. This pressing rocks. The midrange and detail are intense and bright, vocals strident on top of the mix. WOW!! Very deep holographic soundstage with sharp guitars and strings. Bass is tightly wound while drums hit hard. This is a great sounding LP and gets my highest recommendation!

Final Grade: 3.72

RYAN BINGHAM AND THE TEXAS GENTLEMEN - THEY CALL US THE LUCKY ONES (2026, The Bingham Record Co., Amazon Exclusive)

 

2026 The Bingham Record Co.

Amazon Exclusive, White Vinyl

Lacquer Cut by Jeff Powell

Clarity: 4

Dynamics: 4.1

Tonality/Balance: 4

Soundstage/Image: 4.5

Pressing: 4

Cut by Jeff Powell. I've been critical of his work recently, but he hit a home run here! This smokes my [flac] download with crunchier guitars, tighter bass and better detail in the midrange while adding headroom. This has a raw low-fi vibe like a drunken barroom show before a dozen stoned people. Has a nice 3D soundstage with powerful vocals. Damn fine mastering and pressing.

Final Grade: 4.12

SLEATER-KINNEY - NO CITIES TO LOVE (2015, Sub Pop, Deluxe Edition, White Vinyl)

 

2015 Sub Pop, Deluxe Edition, White Vinyl

Cut at Sterling by Ray Janos

Clarity: 4.4

Dynamics: 4.7

Tonality/Balance: 4.6

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4.5

This Sterling cut by Ray Janos is loud and perfect! The CD is brickwalled, shrill and flat at high decibels. This pressing does justice to the music. Huge 3D soundstage! Detail and clarity in the midrange just right. Aggressive on the high end without being shrill. Thumps on the low end. Beautiful. My 2015 Album of the Year.

Final Grade: 4.64

GOLDEN SMOG - WEIRD TALES (2018, Rykodisc x2 LP, Green)

 

2018 Rykodisc, x2 LP, Green, Remastered

Lacquer cut by Chris Bellman

Originally released 1998 CD only

Clarity: 4.1

Dynamics: 4

Tonality/Balance: 4.6

Soundstage/Image: 4.5

Pressing: 4

Hot, loud master in the best possible way. Bright on top and hits on the low end all blasting through a 3D soundstage. Chris Bellman winner! This just sounds sharper and more aggressive than my original CD, which is very good too. The cymbal splashes are wonderful!! Great drum sound here.

Final Grade: 4.24