Arctic Monkeys – The Car

Like other recent Arctic Monkeys albums, the raw energy of the band’s early years has been replaced by lush orchestration and a more languid feel. You still get Alex Turner’s clever lyrics though the references sometimes feel as though they come from an earlier era – ‘Subbuteo cloak’ and ‘smudging dubbin’ for example.

‘There’d Better be a Mirrorball’ is the stand out track here with a smoky nightclub feel and lyrics that carry an undertone of sentimentality and self-doubt. This feeling is echoed in the other tracks, but for me a lot of them sound far too similar.

It’s music for an evening in front of the fire with a good whisky, though there’s a strong risk that you’ll fall asleep.

My copy sounds great! No warping or noticeable noise. I think this custard color is super unique and fits the album art so well.

Really disappointed with the vinyl. Custard yellow vinyl looks pretty and is flat as a pancake. Admittedly, the crackle isn't too loud, but it is loud enough to be distracting, and there's an instance of it on every track on both sides. Fed up of paying over the odds and getting vinyl that keeps taking me out of what I'm listening to. On the plus side the vinyl did include a digital download in a variety of formats (including FLAC) so at least I have a version I can listen to without wincing every track.

A decent pressing but not dead silent. Very good soundstage with a great punch and well-defined low end. Maybe a but too creamy to my ears but, I guess, It’s what the band wanted.

After reading previous reviews I was expecting a dead silent vinyl pressing, but that sadly wasn't what I got. I'm not saying it was unbearable, though: side A is pretty much perfection, side B had some easily noticeable clicks on B3 and B4. So, nothing major, I'm just presenting a counterpoint here having my copy as an example.

Aside from that, really balanced mastering, but I did not find it to be very dynamic or having specially good separation. It lacks some punch, if I'm being honest. The upside is it's a very clear sounding release.

I'm not reviewing the record, it's something I never do here. If I was, this'd be a five stars out of five rating.

★★★½

Pro-Ject X2
with Audio-Technica AT-VM740ML
VTF @ 2.1 grams
Cambridge Alva Duo
Edifier S2000 Pro

Great pressing, his voice is the standout for me, love this album.

Nice and clear press! Very beautiful album by AM! Super!

A fantastic loud, clear and fulsome pressing, that is certain to become a jewel in many record collections. The only drawback, for me, is the shade of yellow the band have chosen. As whenever I get it out to play it, it makes me want to eat custard. Because the shade of yellow, is so custardy! However, as some of you might know by now, I cannot eat custard as I am lactose intolerant with IBS, and even so much as a thimbleful of custard triggers uncontrollable diarrhea, in me!!

Pretty impressed with this record. Sounds so much better than the digital versions I’d been listening to since it’s release. Needs to be listened to in this format on a good system — you won’t be disappointed. Happy to see the Monkeys continuing in the direction they have. Mirrorball, sculptures, body paint, big ideas, hello you and mr Schwartz are the highlights for me.

mastered beautifully. sounds great, vinyl is super quiet.
sleeve leaves quite a bit to be desired especially considering the $40CAD price. its just a single sleeve with no lyric book.