Elliott Smith ‎– Figure 8

Never really checked my copy since i also have the EU UMG & 2 copies of the CD (which is the format this record has been recorded for and that i have mostly played since 2000).
I remember it sounded bad like everyone else described, but now i have a brand new and better cartridge, plus corrected my settings on my turntable, i must admit it sounds better than what i remember...
It's far from being from the best record in my collection (but ES records always sounds pretty bad to me). I even compared it to the recent UMG (which has its own issues, on top of being also 'digital sounding') and i don't hear much difference...
I have a rather good setup, i can be a really snob when it comes to sound quality so, unless my ears are shit, i wonder if Plain hasn't just changed its QC at some point...

Can't make a sound is one of my favorite songs. I was so disappointed when it sounded terrible like someone was turning up the sound on a radio that couldn't handle it. Should've read reviews on this album before purchasing. Probably will just use it as a placeholder until I can get a better version and then just listen to the album on Spotify.

Should have read this first! I still listen because it's not unlistenable but.... yea super shitty.

I'm as guilty as the rest- my first copy had distortion all through "Can't Make a Sound;" my second copy came pre-scuffed. No wonder they were clearing it out at a mainstream retail outlet.

is there any issue of this lp that actually doesn't sound awful and distorted?

I think the problem everybody is having with vinyl copies of Elliotts stuff is the fact it was mastered in the cd age and not for vinyl which is a different, additional process that maybe has not or been done properly before pressing

Sounds great! Just note that the cover images aren’t the highest resolution.

This 2000 original issue is just fantastic. The pressing itself is really high quality; very sturdy, heavyweight wax and very clean sound. The mastering is beautiful, too - lots of clarity, lots of definition, a nice balanced soundscape with good bass and good treble... there's really nothing more you could ask for. By all accounts the reissues are patchy at best - this might be pricey but for those who really love the album it's well worth it in my opinion.

Although it sounds clearly better than the infamous Plain pressing (and the 2017 US version), i've received 2 copies with the same defect on "everything reminds me of her"... an audible click that appear after each spin, even though the record is pristine and has been cleaned. Probably a bad batch...

Wow, everyone is right here. This album sounds absolutely terrible.