GORILLAZ - DEMON DAYS (2019, Warner/Parlophone, x2 LP Picture Disc)

 

2019 Warner Records, Parlophone

x2 LP, Picture Disc, Reissue

Cut at Alchemy Mastering by Barry Grint

Clarity: 4.5

Dynamics: 4.8

Tonality/Balance: 5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4.5

Well Holy Hell, what a monster pressing! The soundstage is GIGANTIC and bass just rips. It has razor sharp highs but it's the detailed midrange that creates headroom and blasts a 3D sound. WOW. I'm impressed. The OG is a Masterdisk stamper and I'm sure is phenomenal, but you can't go wrong with this one. Never thought I'd own a picture disc to spin.

Final Grade: 4.76

WHISKEYTOWN - FAITHLESS STREET (2026, Geffen, x2 LP Dark Indigo)

 

Originally released 1996, CD Only

2026 Geffen, First vinyl pressing

x2 Dark Indigo LP

Cut at Black Belt Mastering by Levi Seitz

Clarity: 4.1

Dynamics: 3.6

Tonality/Balance: 3.5

Soundstage/Image: 4

Pressing: 4

I've had this on CD since '96 and never liked the mix/mastering. When Greg Calbi remastered it in '98 it was a significant improvement but no vinyl...until now. Cut by Levi Seitz at Black Belt Mastering and this beats the OG disc and '98 CD. What makes this more immersive than the '98 CD (which is pretty damn good, BTW) is the headroom and separation. Thankfully, Mr. Seitz didn't boost the low end and crush the midrange like so many modern pressings. This is hot, crunchy and well-balanced with very tight bass. It still reveals the limitations of the original mix at times, but this is a new experience for those of us very familiar with the music. The 3D soundstage is wonderful. Holy Hell, listen to that pedal steel!! WOW!

Final Grade: 3.84

BLACK FLAG - DAMAGED (1982, Unicorn Records/SST, Reissue)

 

1982 Unicorn Records/SST, Reissue

Cut at Kendun by Jeff Sanders

Clarity: 3.8

Dynamics: 4

Tonality/Balance: 3.7

Soundstage/Image: 3.9

Pressing: 4.1

This is a beast of a mastering job! Aggressive, in your face loud yet reveals nice subtle variances in the mix. Reminds me of the OG Clash UK releases where guitars just jump from the speakers yet retain all the midrange and thumping bass. The volume is rather modest so you can fucking crank the sound to 11, without any shrillness or sibilance. This attacks you. Get it.

Final Grade: 3.9

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