Love – Forever Changes

This release propably doesn't need another raving review, but here I go, what a fantastic sounding pressing! I'm especially in love with the sound of the bass guitar here, so natural and rich that you can almost hear the air pumping out of the amp. The soundstage is also extremely wide and open.

For a little over 20 bucks you get a top notch Optimal pressing, that has been cut all analogue by an acclaimed engineer. What a bargain nowadays where the standard is digital files pressed on shitty GZ pressings for around 30 bucks.

This is an excellent pressing, with plenty of low end, a great deal of warmth to the acoustics, and a very full, detailed, huge soundstage. I love the arrangements on this album, and they really come alive throughout this pressing. My copy was purchased new, and it plays flawlessly, with no noticeable surface noise.

As if the world needs a new glowing review of this pressing -- but, this sounds beautiful. Mine is a recent purchase (Nov 2023) and these are still going strong. Fantastic. Best "new" vinyl I have purchased in a while.

I only know the album from the CD remaster with the extra tracks, which I've had for years, so I know the album well. This vinyl version needed some extra volume. What a great sound from the acoustic guitars, whether 6 or 12 string. Vocals pop out with the strings floating behind them, were present. This recording has it all, from rock to folk and psychedelic colours, with interesting lyrics. I'm very happy with this release, to say the least.

playing this on a Rega planar 2 which is a very revealing table and it sounds outstanding! not sure if Chris Bellman was able to cut this directly from analog master tape but sure sounds like it ! 5 stars all the way on this 1

I am pleasently surprised..They did an absolute stellar job with this. Sounds great. There's a lot of hype around the US version but i can't see it being better than this.

Sounds just as good, while being better than an original Allentown pressing that I have. Channel separation is impeccable. Low end tones in acoustic sections is exceptionally engaging. Dynamic range is far less dramatic than the original, which gets unpleasantly loud in sections, & too quit to hear in others. Very similar in decibel range in terms of where my master volume sits on the original & this remaster, which I’m always appreciative of. It’s very good! Very. Very good. Nice, quiet vinyl as well. EU & US pressings are identical as far as the LP itself is concerned, so whichever one you find for cheaper is the only factor that should decide which one to get. Personally I don’t care about tip on jacket nonsense, but that’s because I have an engaging system.

Excellent mixing, but there is quite a bit of hiss on certain songs (it was most noticeable on the a side, especially on alone again or.) Sounds a lot better than my mono copy

The only other version I have heard of this recording has been on Hi Res streaming...which I had temporarily for free a few times...and I have a really good dac. LOL. Def not my cup of tea..but thats another review. So. All I can say is amazing just amazing...this version totally kicks that version. Not sure of the source here but it is IMO total proof that ..when a company wants to do things the right way...it gets done. I am sure there are many different versions of this...I am not sure how it could sound better really. I may be wrong. But if this kicks the hi res version....well..you get the idea.

Drums scared the shit out of me when it kicked in on Alone Again Or, this is a fantastic pressing. DEAD quiet, pressed by Optimal in Germany. A fully AAA cut by the master himself Chris Bellman will only set you back $20, why would you pass this up?