Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

I found this record in a used bin so was pretty sure it was one of those noise filled record that the previous owner sold. The price was good so took the risk.

Both discs are flat and noiseless. What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t even check if it was Optimal pressing or Rainbo but happy that it’s not Rainbo. Rainbo was the worst pressing plant in the world. Never got a good sounding record from them.

Overall, I am a bit disappointed with the sound. Why did they go with loud mastering for an ambient record like this I have no idea. The bass is pushed so forward that it drowns vocals and other instruments during some ages in every song. Aside from the bass, it feels like piano/strings/vocals compete to breathe at times.

If the mastering was done properly, this would’ve been a modern audiophile record. Still a better sounding record than many records that came out during the peak of loudness war.

I prefer the version on Spotify - while it sounds a tad bit thinner, it doesn’t have the overblown bass which brings out more clarity.

I have Listen to both as stated and n previous comments… Using my Oppo 105 player into my Devialet 200 I assure you the SHM-CD is a massive improvement . If you don’t have a Hi-FI of replaying physical content of this type , then it will not work ….

Rainbo pressing with crackling. Couldn't get a replacement so I have to live with it. Sounds good except for surface noise. Bass is pretty heavy. Rega P6 with Ortofon Bronze. Ordered from Bull Moose and they sent me an email with a $5 credit because their allocation was cut and they couldn't fulfill. Next day I got a shipping email.

This release makes me so mad. The packaging is amazing, but the actual records sound like ass water. Like, they didn't think for a second "hey, this is a deluxe edition we're charging 70 dollars for that's going to be bought only by people who really love this album, maybe we should actually make it sound good?". This shit sounds like frying oil, and it's too damn bassy. No air whatsoever, and the more ambient tracks really suffer as a result. Fuck XL recordings for screwing this and all of this band's reissues up so massively.

More of the same from my 2016 Optimal Pressing copy. This particular pressing has pops and noise in dead ages. The discs themselves are slightly warped. The recording itself is a bit muddy and seduced in the sonic ranges. It is most noticed with the vocal tracks. They are not fully represented in the recording. I am sad by this b/c it is such a wonderful album. One of the best modern albums ever!

Fantastic music, the vinyl itself was badly scuffed due to paper inners. A lot of crackle during quiet ages/ballads. Such a shame. Everything else is done beautifully.

Seems like a must have got a bad egg as the sound is pretty disappointing, my copy is very distorted and muffled. Just a very muddy sounding pressing.

Bummed as sought out this particular pressing after reading the reviews, I guess every run has to have a crummy copy. Seems I drew the short straw :(

I guess I got lucky with my copy. My copy sounds great aside from some prominent popping towards the end of True Love Waits. My discs were filthy out of the package but a cleaning has done them good. It’s also satisfying to finally have Ill Wind and Spectre on physical media at long last! Got my copy used in very good condition from Reckless Records for 77 dollars. Absolutely worth it!

Beautiful press. The white is absolutely beautiful and the art for this release has to be some of the best art produced for a Radiohead album. In of sound quality, it's great; low surface noise, no pops or clicks, songs are nice and loud. Could *maybe* boost the volume on Thom's vocals but that's just a nitpick. Highly recommend.

The 2022 Obi strip looks better than this ; )