Mat Kearney – January Flower

Really wanted this to be a perfect pressing of this *exceptional* album (my favorite of 2021!). It's just so-so.

First and foremost, the vinyl is the GORGEOUS, eye-catching cerulean of the sky on the cover art. The pressing quality is great; totally flat, very little surface noise, absolutely no popping or skipping. The mastering, though, leaves something to be desired. It's fairly quiet, but that in itself isn't the biggest issue. This is an album with a rich midrange that is lacking here. Big time. There is also noticeable compression throughout, but the extent varies by track. In general, quieter tracks like A4 and B5 fare better while louder tracks are hit-and-miss. A6 gets the worst of all of this (sadly for me --- it's my favorite track), with the addition of some relatively minor distortion. The drums on the digital version absolutely wallop the sides of the mix; here, they are more like wet smacks, and the guitars are much less distinct. It's a damn shame.

All that said, it's not an unenjoyable way to listen to the album. It remains a superb album, maybe Kearney's best. This is just far from the best way to experience it.

This is an excellent pressing of yet another great album by Mat Kearney. Really enjoying it with each spin!

Arrived this afternoon, listening now...sounds absolutely fantastic. Solid pressing and catchy songs. Highly recommend just about everything from Kearney.