Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen

This to me is the version to own. Sound contrasts the remasters markedly in a very positive way.
Much more balanced and enjoyable than the, in my mind, over dramatic sound of the remasters, because this original leads you to all the intricacies in Paddy's arranging.
Furthermore, Wendy's vocal parts shine here. So angelic and beautiful. Highly recommended and still decently priced considering it is an original and that the album is continuously soaring in popularity.

Do you have vinyl LP that has been in your collection a long time & still sounds as fresh & brilliant as when you first heard it?
For me 'Steve McQueen' is one such record.
I got hold of a copy of this in 1985 & have listened to it fairly regularly in every decade since. Safe to say that no matter how my tastes change this record still moves me as strongly as it did back then. There are absolutely no duds here & every song shows the quality songwriting & lyrical talents of Paddy McAloon at their peak. The icing on the cake here is Thomas Dolby's excellent & skillful production which effortlessly glides along in the background.
Also, if you love the record & have not heard the 2007 acoustic versions - I'd recommend that too - 'Bonny' & 'Appetite' being particular highlights for me.

mine appears to be a first pressing in a cbs sleeve (no home taping icon).

Well.. my girlfriend hipped me to Prefab Sprout through this classic record… every tune is a masterpiece, and this pressing is fantastic with lots of detail.. has anyone compared this one to a UK OG?

These Two Wheels Good CDs have a higher overall volume which properly makes use of the available waveform space, unlike the original Steve McQueen CDs which are overly-quiet, and anaemic as a result. Two Wheels Good therefore has far more presence and clarity. The polarity is also inverted, though on an album as well-recorded as this one, it probably makes little difference.

Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good is a true pop gem (dare I say, masterpiece) from the height of the 1980's "new wave" era. While Thomas Dolby's production is definitely of it's time, it sounds beautiful here and is very engaging. An abundance of Major 7th and Major 9th chords open the door to beautiful melodies and background vocals that recall the great pop tunes of the 1960's while guitars weave in and out providing deft touches of Americana throughout. There's really nothing else quite like the way Paddy MaCloon was able to bring all these elements to his wonderful song writing. For another great take on most of these songs, it's worth checking out Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen Acoustic (also included on the deluxe CD edition) to hear them stripped down in all their melodic glory.

Regarding this pressing, the total running time is close to 46 minutes with side 1 clocking in at nearly 25 minutes. As a result, some compromises were required during cutting. For the most part it sounds good though (especially with the volume turned up as recommended on the rear of the album jacket). Nevertheless, a couple minutes into the last track on side one, "Hallelujah", I can definitely hear an obvious dip in fidelity as the song plays out. Listening on head phones, it is even more pronounced (especially the vocal). Still, this is a great listen overall and a pressing worth owning if you can find a nice copy at a reasonable price.

What an album! I am so glad to have picked up this pressing as it sounds absolutely fantastic and plays completely flawlessly. I've never listened to any of the re-pressings but I can't imagine they sounds any better than this version. Get this one if you can!

The version of "When Love Breaks Down" on this US release is not the Thomas Dolby remix that appears on the UK STEVE MCQUEEN issue and most compilations. It's a bit more stripped down, but still one of the most perfect pop songs ever created. The rest of side one is of a similar high standard. Side two has a different vibe, with a jazzy flavor at times, more subdued and introspective, foreshadowing the approach the band would take with PROTEST SONGS. This pressing does sound a bit flat unless you turn it up, higher volume seems to allow the music to come out of its shell and gives it some life. The soundstage is lush and sweeping, but never cluttered or overproduced. My copy plays beautifully, other than a pop in the groove between "Goodbye Lucille #1" and "Hallelujah" I noticed zero surface noise.

As most vinyls from the 80's, the sound is as flat as it can be, and this is no exception. This album is a gem, but you already know this since you are here. We audiophiles are not on this site to write about the recordings we love (try allmusic.com for that) but about pressings and remasters, etc. if you're looking for a great remaster they will probably re-issue a better sounding one in the future.

I'm very happy with this pressing. I fully understand comments below regarding original vinyl as I have many first pressings. To someone not as anal as I have become regarding the sound of vinyl this album will sound perfect... and I suppose it is. Recommended.