Cocteau Twins – Garlands

Have the same one except for the runout that says #6 and #7 instead of #3 and #4
Anyone in the room?

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.

This version is too good only be on CD. It needs to be released on vinyl!!

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 download 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...

This doesn't sound bad but it doesn't sound great either and I wonder if that lack of fidelity is in the master tape. It sounds fairly restrained across the entire spectrum.

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

Excellent studio production and superb pressing. Each side flows properly, too.

Wonder if the original pressing is all-analog and if yes - up until which album did the Cocteau Twins press AAA vinyl?

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 premium to get imported.

I came to this band late and really never bought in, but this is as solid a first album as any artist could hope for. Fits perfectly into the sounds of the time. Think Cure, Bauhaus, Pretenders...