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

Why is the BR disc black/Blue? That normally means it is a BD-R.

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.

Love the music. What can't flat records be pressed? I sent the first copy back because it was it was warped like a Stetson. The second version is slightly less warped, so slightly better. Audible defect throughout outside of both discs.

True to the photos ed here, this version is printed quite dark and doesn't look very good.

Hate to be a nerd, but the copy I just purchased in the used bin at my local shop had a slightly different hype sticker than this listing, and an entirely different record label catalogue insert. Any one else have a version pressed on black with 10”x10” folded KScope insert advertising Wilson’s “Hand Cannot Erase” on the back ?

Zero complaints.......both vinyl were flat, excellent soundstage and the overall presentation of the music itself fabulous.

My copy also arrived with both records badly warped. I was able to "fix" them by baking them in the oven at 150F and letting them cool completely (sandwiched in two large, heavy 15" square pieces of marble). I have not had any luck with any Porcupine Tree LP issues either, so this, sadly, is my last purchase.

I love this album and I’m happy to finally have it on vinyl. I have the Blu Ray release tucked away somewhere…. Anyway. Great pressing. There’s a slight warp that should mellow over time, but other than that, it’s quiet and sounds great. I love that Beggs bass tone.

Just picked this up at record store today. Mine too is warped. It does not affect play but blows me away that the QC is so bad. Dynamics are great. I had it in my hands last week and started reading comments on here and put it back in the bin. I could actually tell it appeared to be warped thru the shrink wrap, but glad I went back today as it's still affordable compared to other copies on here.

Hahahahah.....this is Good - REALLY F-ING GOOOOOD!
A lot of listeners have stated that "The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)" is Mr Wilson`s finest solo work and it probably IS the best album out of the ones I own by him,personally I go against the grain and rate his solo work above the PT albums.
You`ve got EVERYTHING here good lyrics,great guitar work(lead & bass),excellent percussion,top rate production and digital mastering to die for,It sounds soooo ana it`s mastering too so even vinyl "die-hards" won`t be unhappy with cd playback.
Of course the BIG plus over a vinyl copy is price - not that the vinyl is a fortune but cd still beats it on value.
There`s NOT a bad/filler track on here and they average out to 9mins+ so sounds like you`re hearing/playing the concert version of songs.
Highly Recommended five stars,thank you for reading*****

System used:
Cd transport - Atoll MD100 cdp
Dac Denafrips Ares ii
Pre - Musical Fidelity m6s Class A Fully balanced
Power amp - Meridian G57 dual mono Fully balanced
Speakers - Tannoy xt f6 Isoacoustics Gaia pucks

Music:5.0
Mastering:5.0
Jewel case:3.0