Queen – Queen II

My copy came dish-warped, but still playable. Unfortunately the end of side A, “The Loser In The End” sounded raspy, distorted also “The March Of The Black Queen” on side B distorted on a couple of places. Unfortunately this copy was straight to the garbage bin for me ☹

Although the music is fantastic, the quality of the pressing is strange, just like Bootradr's comment. The entire album sounds like it was recorded inside a coffee can.

I'm going to try and find another pressing from other than Hollywood Records and see if there is any improvement.

This is a strange one to me. My first copy sounded like a terrible mix or like something just wasn't right. It didn't sound like the stereo mix was leveled right and some parts of the music were way too quiet where they shouldn't have been. But then that brings me to the second copy...

The second copy sounds excellent. It sounds like a much nicer leveling of the audio and the stereo separation is much better too. I've never had it where I bought an album and wanted to return it but then got the same exact, just released album a second time and it sounded wonderful. Does this happen sometimes? Could my first copy be a defective pressing?

Both copies are completely quiet with no artifacts or unwanted noise. I messed up on the first copy trying to leave the shrink on and using the blade to open on the side of it. I forgot this is a top loading LP. But the presumably gatefold cover is sturdy and looks nice. Both LPs, 1 one and copy 2, are very well-formed 180 g vinyl pressings. There's no sharp corners on the edge or burrs like we often get nowadays.

I'm going to have to do a shootout tomorrow or the next day between the two copies I got and see if the difference I have noticed is definitely there. It was a really pronounced a difference so I'm sure they will be. But this second copy sounds great and the first one I wanted to return. I can see and tell no other differences between the two copies other than the sound.

I'm glad this one got repressed. I wish I had an original pressing but I've never had this one on vinyl until now. I didn't see that it was a remaster anywhere. Is it? It does have the half speed mastered, I'm sure at Abbey Road Studios, hype sticker on the front. But it doesn't give any real information. I don't think it even tells you that it's a 180 g pressing?

I'm definitely happy with my second copy and it sounds really nice. The stereo separation from Brian May's guitar is really nice. I know Queen is known for their quality products and the second copy I got definitely follows in line with that idea.

Bootradr

Overall good mastering and sound stage, both sides of my copy are flat with no warping. I have some minor pops and clicks on side B at the begining of "Ogre Battle". I hope it's just due to a cleaning as the album comes in a glossy paper sleeve. Very punch dynamics though, very happy with the pressing overall.