Steven Wilson – The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)

Here is my story with this album. I have been looking for it for a few years, never ever finding it used locally and not wanting to get one online. Until this weekend, when there was a near mint copy in town for $38 because the record store clearly didn't research whether it was the first or second kscope pressing. But both discs weigh 180g, so lucky me.

And I couldn't be happier. The discs, jacket and paper sleeves are all pristine like I just opened it. It plays beautifully true and the music is a wonderful homage to 70s prog without being too overly produced in the modern sense.

Skip the recent Transmission releases. While they are in colors, they are notoriously warped. The record store has one for $45, making this purchase a no-brainer.

It is beyond me why kscope reissued this album with the same matrix numbers, labels, jackets and sleeves while relying on the different weights and the often-discarded shrink wrap hype stickers and a dated insert to identify between their two versions. That makes buying an unseen copy even more of a risk. But that confusion led to a great buy for me.

Beautiful record in every way. My OG pressing is quiet, smooth, and pressed perfectly. Def needed poly sleeves but that’s easily remedied by adding your own. Done. As for the “jazz” genre, who gives a shit? Also love the presence of the KC mellotron. That’s just like SW.

One of the best sounding vinyl i have. I was impressed with the sound quality on this album. There is a lot of things going on in the music and still to me it manages to sounds clear and separated, punchy and crisp. My copy have some crackling going on but it is not that loud so its okey. Im a bit unsure about one thing: It says 2013 kscope on mine, but discogs says this version is on kscope180g, but im pretty sure mine is 140g, so not sure whats going on there.

My copy is a bit warped but still plays fine. Extremely dirty too, especially on disc 2. Obviously the music is great, just a little dissapointed in the quality control.

I purchased this in June 2023, went through three copies and I had severe pressing defects with all of them. I'm going to give the Transmission re-issue a try.

Como todo lo que hace S.Wilson...!! UN HORROR!!. No me gustan ni Porcupine Tree ( no entiendo como R.Barbieri d JAPAN, trabaja ahi..)

This is a " PROG ROCK" album ffs !!! What's with the totally ridiculous genre heading of " jazz, rock" well I accept there is always an element of both jazz and rock within progressive rock but why does this heading not just say " Progressive Rock" ????
Please, anyone who knows how to edit Discogs entries, could you please alter this genre heading or whatever you do,vote on such things? I dunno.
But, this first pressing is awesome, why can't audiophile artists like Wilson (who has a massive record collection, like I do) not insist on poly lined inner sleeves at the very least ? Sure I understand the need to be " artistic" but come on, you could just simply pop some after market third party poly liners into those arty cardboard sleeves.
It shows attention to detail which is always very important to SW, and as for cost, well it's no more than what ? 5 pence/ cents. Consider the cost of making and just putting together the Hand Cannot Erase deluxe box set, ouch !!! So why does S W not insist on poly lined sleeves ?I
A true modern day progressive rock classic as is the follow up. " Hand Cannot Erase" which I highly recommend in the first pressing vinyl.format, the more recent reissue ( which I bought for my son) is not anywhere near as good sounding, odd right ?
For amped " jazz" sounding older style a la VDGG or King Crimson circa 1970 you need to hear Wilson's second solo album proper called " Grace For Drowning ", a true strange double album with no real up lifting songs just plenty of potentially depressing long songs e.g. Raider II. It's not for everyone but must be heard at least once just so you can honestly say you've heard it. Sure some very strong ballads but gone are those late period riffs of PT.
Helpful ? Hope so !

YUUUPPP!!! This one is a KEEPER! Have had it for a while... but just felt the need to say it.

Sounds fucking beautiful but those paper sleeves are evil.
Brand new and deep paper residue and surface scratches. Cleaned twice and the needle still dug out a handful of paper hairs throughout the first playthrough.
Also side note but it appears mine is a repress. The inner sleeve with related artists has a listing as new as 2020

This is not a jazz album.
Come on now people