Cocteau Twins – Garlands

Not crazy about this reissue/remaster. First off, my copy had a noticeable volume drop in the left channel for the entirety of the first track and most of "Wax and Wane." Then, at nearly 3:40 into "Wax and Wane," the left channel's volume abruptly jumps to match the level of the right, as if the mastering engineer suddenly realized the problem and hastily fixed it (the channels are balanced for the rest of the LP). The mastering is OK, though noticeably different from the original UK LP; this has a much more midrange-y and warmer/fuzzier sound. As a result, this reissue sounds warmer and punchier, while the original sounds icier, with more detailed highs, if that makes sense. That said, I think iciness of the original better suits the material, though this new more mid-focused presentation isn't bad, per se. The LP itself was flat and quiet, though I wound up selling it, as I prefer the original.

Does anyone else have a copy that's missing the MPO stamping? Because most everything else - including the hype sticker - matches on mine (there's also no code, which seems common enough lately to omit with later pressings, but I don't care about that anyways.)

It seems silly to add a new version to address a few minor details which probably don't justify a new entry, but I'm left wondering if there's anything else that I might not be noticing...

really an impeccable remaster, it is literally one of the best pressings that this album has had, it is simply fabulous as it sounds

Really nice crisp, clear sound with a lot of depth. At first spin it sounded a bit dull and compressed but after a second wet clean the sound really opened up. Since it’s a digital remaster it has a bit of that non-analog coldness but nevertheless it sounds great. However, this is a standard-weight MPO press and my copy had some light surface noise throughout and a few instances of light crackles and a minor pop on the B-side, so the pressing quality isn’t stellar. It’s a really nice reissue, but not something I’d pay more than $20 for or pay a to get imported.

Genuinely one of the best remasters I've ever heard. Sounds super clear. Great dynamic range. Don't know how it compares to an Original pressing, but nonetheless, it's sounds amazing. Highly recommend this pressing.

Is there any chance to release CD versions of these new remasters?

This is a real delight, nice and clean, great sound and quality sleeve, very impressed, will buy Victorialand on the strength of it. Fortunate to own the original, so I played them alongside each other mixing the original into the new version. The new version, although not as loud a recording, is still great sounding, only a slight difference in levels. For me it didn't have that rawness of the original, but hey it has been remastered and great it is too... It was a dream mixing both in and out of each other, wish I had thought of it when I was playing out. Liz's vocals riding over each other sounded awesome... Enjoy... I did! 👍😊

I received a good copy which I deep cleaned prior to spinning and it sounded great with minimal to no surface noise. Plenty of punchy bass and overall soundscape, card included.

Does anyone care to post how this version sounds? Appreciate it.