Molchat Doma* – Этажи = Etazhi

It seems there are very different pressings of this same version. No tight sleeve here, no surface noise or other very noticable defects and sound is ok for this lo-fi record. No digital code.

My copy is like the images 8-11 ed by another .

Small dark stain inside my copy and yes, it does look and feel cheap. Not bad for the bucks, though.

My vinyl is coke bottle translucent but all other identifiers match. I submitted images 8-11 to show the difference. In of quality, while there is a little surface noise, it's not at all egregious nor does it take away from the recording for me. I think it still has rich sound. I think the production on this one can have some people confusing it for the quality of the vinyl. My copy sounds pretty nice, and the slight surface noise can lend itself a little to the style of the music IMO.

I received this album as a gift, released by Sacred Bones Records, and I must confirm what I already suspected about this pressing: it sounds mediocre and subpar. I've had the opportunity to listen to this record at friends' houses and in stores, and in every instance, the sound quality has been consistently poor. Many of the negative comments that I've read are completely accurate. However, I am surprised to see some reviews stating that the record "sounds fine" or, even worse, that it's a "fantastic pressing." I can only assume that those reviewers either have low-quality equipment or are overly attached to the album itself.

Now, let's get into the details: it's no secret that the original album's production isn't outstanding. It sounds acceptable, in line with typical Lo-Fi productions. So, my critiques don't stem from the album itself but from the pressing. What you’ll find in this pressing are frequent crackles and clicks throughout the entire album, resembling the sound of frying oil, and no amount of ultrasonic cleaning will fix that. These issues are particularly noticeable on Side B, though they appear throughout the entire record. Moreover, there are saturated parts, particularly in the vocals and high frequencies, resulting in an unpleasant distortion. In sum, this pressing sounds like an old, worn-out record that you’d find in a bargain bin.

I cannot recommend purchasing this pressing if sound quality is your priority (as it should be). Instead, go for the CD version, which offers a better experience. Aesthetically, the vinyl’s color is nice, but beyond that, there's nothing special: the packaging is average, there’s no insert, and the record itself is tightly packed. Overall, the presentation feels cheap.

Sacred Bones Records should focus more on sound quality than on the visual presentation of their releases, which, while not unimportant, shouldn’t take precedence over the audio. It’s crucial that they take the Test Pressing phase seriously. After this experience, I’m now skeptical about the quality of their other releases, many of which seem interesting but may suffer from similar issues. As the saying goes, "the way you do one thing is the way you do everything."

EQUIPMENT USED:

Turntable: Rega Planar 3 (with upgrades)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Blue
Phono Preamp: IFI Zen
Amplifier: Marantz PM750DC
Speakers: Pioneer CS-F700

My copy has a lot of background noise, but i can't decide if i hate it or if this imperfection fits the music. I also think that it's a little bit off center, my needle "jumps" left and right when i'm spinning the record. Sound quality is okay. It's Molchat Doma, it is supposed to sound trash, but melodic.

Fantastic pressing, looks and sounds amazing. No issues with my copy

Sounds good to me too toast! Side B didnt sound as good at the start, it might be a bit dirty.
But this record is a vibe and the color looks great!

Dunno what others are talking about.. maybe I lucked out but this both sounds and looks amazing. Colour perfectly suits the album and the sound is excellent.

Vinyl looks amazing. Sound's honestly pretty mediocre like others have pointed out, but I feel like it kinda fits the album's aesthetic... is it just me? Packaging is also very simple and cheap-looking. Still in love with this record tho.

Sounds decent but quality control is terrible. On side B runout groove continues under label, lock groove missing, if turntable without autostop or it turned off stylus slams in to paper label producing terrible noise and may also harm your styli.

Also there is screeching car brakes sound on some songs, slowly appearing and suddenly fading away on vocals. Not loud but definitely noticeable and annoying. Is it cut this way or just pressing defect?

Color and transparency looks great, IRL very similar to real glass

Great sounding pressing! I swapped out the inner sleeve it came with as it was atrociously tight.

Other than that, my copy is perfectly fine!