Man! I wish you had an OG pressing to compare with the other 2. I just picked up a demo copy of the original absolutely mint - BUT it cost me $350. Totally worth it to me though, as like you, I have a deep personal connection with this album from my Jr. High days. Walking to school with this cassette tape in my Sony Walkman ❤
@@VUmeters the OG-like the Mad Season recording is truly demo quality. I wish ALL the historic 90's Alt/Grunge recordings were recorded, engineered, and mixed/mastered to the same level!
I’ve owned both the MOV and the Pallas 30th pressings and, while I prefer the MOV packaging, there really isn’t that much difference imo. I sold the MOV for a few hundred and would definitely not undo that transaction to have it back. The only thing that would move the needle on this would be a AAA pressing by one of the audiophile labels. I’d love a RKS/CB cut pressed by QRP/RTI.
It's interesting to hear your comparison between the MOV and Pallas pressings. Thanks for sharing your experience! Now I have to track down a Pallas pressing because mine, which I preordered, isn't.
Thanks for the shootout! I have the new AiC website exclusive "tri-color" pressing, but _really_ wish I had the MoV, simply because it includes Sap. That, and I hear it sounds the best, as you confirmed. 🤘
Thank you for your kind words! "Quite Basic" is an accurate description. I grabbed a Pallas pressing of the 30th. It's on its way from Germany. Hopefully, it's better than the US.
I got my reissue via Revolver magazine, and I'm disappointed with it. The overall sound of the vinyl appears a bit flat, thin, and over-compressed, and lacking a bit in the volume department - I've got to turn my turntable's volume up to around 80% to enjoy, as opposed to other records. In addition, the tracks on side 2, whale and Wasp, and Don't Follow, my favorite song on the album, have some noise disturbances (a bit too much crackling and popping for a new pressing, despite it being cleaned). It just honestly feels off, and it seems to me like a lot of the magic of the music was lost in this pressing. it's a real shame because this is one of my favorite records, and it just doesn't hit as it should. I agree with you on Whale and Wasp; flipping the vinyl to side 2, immediately beginning with that instrumental, is a bit jarring and hurts the experience, this definitely should have been placed at the end of side 1.
I would say the EU version is probably better. I have that version and it’s a Pallas pressing cut by Daniel Krieger. The US press is cut by Wes Garland and pressed at United. I’ve never liked much of Wes Garland’s output unfortunately…
