my complaint is the paper inner sleeves specifically, I prefer a plastic sleeve or lining. Rice paper is good also. All of my pressings from RTI for example come with a nice thick plastic sleeve which is appreciated. I wouldn't NOT buy an album because it comes with a paper sleeve, I'll just replace it with plastic. We all have our OCDs with our vinyl .
Listening to the first album now. I pulled out the EU pressing and listened to the initial two tracks and then put on the U.S. Sanctuary pressing. To my ears, the Sanctuary pressing is better. It sounds more open than its EU counterpart. The albums were pressed at United. So far, so good.
Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm going to check the EU copy and a mono UK reissue from the 1980s that I own.
Tommyboy, Do they have Black hype stickers that tout 180 grams? I saw some on ebay tonight. Is that a way to easily distinguish the US from the older UK pressings?
Yes, the albums have the black stickers. On the back cover in the bottom right hand corner, the logos for Sanctuary, BMG and INgrooves are displayed. The EU copy only has the BMG logo.
I just finished listening to the first album. It's much better than the EU pressing, in my opinion. Kevin Gray is freakin great!
Thanks Tommyboy.. I've got the UKs of Face To Face and Something Else. I'll get the new presses of the first 4 since they are analog and Kevin Gray cuts. Those are two steps up from the last batch. Keeping my fingers crossed for a next batch since I couldn't get affordable copies of the rest of the UK batch. I'll save my $$ and hope for the best.
You're welcome! I hope they issue the next batch too. It would be a big teaser if the Kinks and Sanctuary/BMG stopped at Face To Face.
I'll be curious how Face sounds. I have a Reprise mono ( and Pye stereo) but would like a better mono copy.
Really? No plans to release the albums everybody would buy? I'm definitely in for Arthur. It's the only stereo mix I don't have.
Where's the best place to order the first four from? I'm in UK and want to avoid the EU digital pressings.
Yeah, the 1st two sound great, haven't heard the next two. A little bit noticeable sound change on You Really Got Me, Tired of Waiting, and Something Better Beginning. But they sound awesome.