Melvins – Houdini

I purchased this the other day, and I've been reading that this being a remaster from the original CD version I understand why it sounds so flat, I have other Melvins records from Boner and this definitely lacks of loudness and the mix is very bland, now I'm looking forward for the Music On Vinyl version lol

Although I (believe) I own a slightly different pressing from this one (a different pressing by Third Man mind you) I'm gonna comment under here. I've seen this issue get a lot of hate but I honestly don't see it, my copy sounds absolutely amazing with an exception of a loud pop near the end of Lizzy but otherwise the record is almost free of surface noise and cracks are minimal. My copy is warped however playback isn't affected in the slightest in my case. It can be a bit quiet at points for my tastes but just turn the volume up and you're all set. Hell Third Man even got the idea to use a different material for the sleeve in which the record is housed in. I won't say this is a 100% flawless pressing as I did hear surface noise and I already mentioned that weird part at the end of Lizzy, plus I wish Spread Eagle Beagle was on here but I understand why it isn't. All in all I absolutely recommend the Third Man pressing of Houdini. Unless I'm on a road trip this is the only way I'm listening to the album from now on.

Anyone know why the cover art is not the original Kozik drawing? It's like it's sort of traced over, but not exactly, with lots of differences (fingernails, different arms, etc). It's also missing his signature in the lower right corner.

I think this pressing is a lot better than other ratings are giving it credit for. There’s not much surface noise and I find that the bassiness gives the tracks an extra punch that is much appreciated.

I do think it could probably sound (a bit) cleaner, but I’m absolutely in love with this record. Only thing I’m a bit bummed about is that my copy *is* a bit tight on my turntable’s spindle.

I wish I could give it 4.5 stars.

I don’t get the hate for this pressing. It’s nicely done IMO - poly lined inner, the artwork is well printed on a heavyweight gatefold sleeve, it’s pretty good value (£17 from the Third Man shop in London), and (most importantly) it sounds good. Granted, I don’t have another vinyl pressing to compare it to, but the dynamics are on a par with the CD version. Minimal IGD too.

The only downside is that my record is very slightly warped. Not enough to affect playback, but worth noting.

Super clean dynamic pressing right up there with MOV Stoner Witch. I am a pig in all kinds of mud and feces over this, yes my label is off center but doesn’t affect the runout groove, and oh man you can tell Buzz and Dale and Co are having a blast. One of my favorite purchases of 2021. Poly-lined inner sleeve came all jacked and skewed creased just terrible, but the vinyl was pristine.. playing it without a spin-clean I’m so punk rock

My copy is definitely off center and that negatively effects the sound. Nice detail, but sounds a bit distorted. I also need to really crank this on my tube amp to be able to hear it. Maybe that's due to the length?
It's fun to now have this on vinyl, but I probably should have just stuck with the CD

Sounds pretty good to me. I got a clean sounding copy, possibly pressed a tad off centre. Plenty of detail and nice clear sound stage as previous reviewer mentioned. A bit light on bass maybe, but I quite like the sound. I have the MOV Stoner Witch, I would say its on a par with this. I doubt the MOV Houdini sounds much better, if it does I need to get a copy!

I feel like there could be more dynamic range, but the sound stage is crystal clear and the sluggish stoner feel is certainly preserved. I have only ever listened to this album via TIDAL and I'd say that this pressing certainly makes for a more interesting, warm, almost lo-fi feel with the lack of audio black background.

Does anybody else have a side A label on each side?