Tool (2) – Undertow

The packaging is low budget and the album was filthy. The vinyl looks like it’s been on the ground and stepped on. I’m still happy to it.I hope it’s cosmetic and cleanable.

Nothing wrong with my copy. Not at all that covered in crap and sounds good to me. Punchy and loud. I’d recommend it.

Cheaply packaged. Record covered in confetti from the cheap inner sleeves, but otherwise no scuffs or marks and was easily cleaned off.

The pressing itself is clean and free of surface noise, or at least mine is. My issue with this record is the low volume it emits. Had my speakers up to max and it still seemed quiet. I’d be surprised if my neighbours heard it. Ran it through different speakers and then my headphones and same issue, so it’s just the pressing itself that is quiet, like the mics were set up outside the studio door when they recorded it. I’m still happy enough with it, glad I bought it, but disappointed because nobody wants to listen to Tool quietly

Reviews are accurate. The sound of this pressing is horrible.

Vocals sound muddy and quiet compared to CD or streaming. Lacking upper mids to the point I almost worried if there was something wrong with my cartridge but after playing a different record it confirmed it was just this one.

I didn’t have much issue with pops as other reviewers but they are definitely right about the mix. Would not recommend.

Bought a sealed copy from a record store knowing about the reviews, and they are accurate… sounds like the bowl had seeds in it during the bong rip! Better off with the cd version

Haven't even spun this due to the amount of surface scratches it has on both LPs. Glad I didn't spend much.. don't even know if I am even going to play it for the sheet risk. Sucks.

Amazing first full length for a band that starts and ends strong but leaves more to be desired.

Mix is great but a lot of compositions lack diversity structurally and tonally. Plus almost every song is in D (typical TOOL) but you notice it.

Favorite track: Bottom

Bought new at my local record store and was quite surprised to see that many of the reviews are very accurate. My copy has loud surface noise in between tracks and on quiet parts. My original CD is much punchier, sounding wide and big. This vinyl copy sounds good but too compressed in multiple spots. Also needed to bump the midrange frequencies by +6db, treble +1db and reduce the bass by -8db on my receiver. Transitions from quiet to loud in the songs don’t ‘glue’ together the way they do on CD. I’m hoping quality will improve with each listen. Did a simple clean but will give it a wash in the spin clean as there are imperfections on two of the four sides. Better to buy used or open so that you can inspect the copy you plan to buy.

Bought on a chance. Price was good. Jacket thin. White paper inner sleeves. I gave it a proper cleaning straightaway. My experience is sound is real good, centered, dynamic. Nice soundstage on my humble system. Clean, no marks or scuffs. Some surface noise. Great sound, nice bass and high end. Happy with this. Onkyo/Schitt Mani/Fluance RT85/ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52. I believe everyone’s results are different. This is mine.

Wow. Total bust of a press. Sure the sleeve and artwork were done on the cheap. I knew that going in, but the press is terrible.

I love the original mix and production on this album. Sylvia Massy did unique, interesting work and it’s reflected on Undertow. There is so much nuance, but this press is muddy sounding and the beautiful bass now sounds out of balance. There is crackle in the highs as well and the soundstage just lacks dimension.

I bought this a month ago, cleaned it as I always do and finally listened to it tonight through my V-Moda M100 headphones which are revealing but not in a good way with this press of Undertow. Will try again through speakers to see if I can find some enjoyment out of this with a more casual listen. One good note, surface noise wasn’t horrible. Pass until there is a better quality reissue or spend the big $$$ on the OG.