Madonna – Like A Prayer

Please verify and confirm that your 2016 release of Madonna Like a Prayer 180g vinyl comes with the gold hype sticker as shown in the release page, and to not confuse it with the 2020 release. The Hype Sticker will only have the R1 25844 serial number on it rather than 2 numbers split with a slash (/) R1 25844/081227973575 that the 2020 version holds. The 2016 release also has 2 lines of credit notes on the reverse of the cover sleeve where as the 2020 version only has 1 line of credit notes at the bottom. These are clear in the version photos of Discogs.

Sound could be louder on this pressing. Clean copy don’t get me wrong. Packaging is kinda bleak. Classic Madonna album tho.

I must say: The packaging is hideous. While the cover is glossed, reproduction is not from source material and is extremely fuzzy. It has a sort of yellowish tint to it than renders it dull and pathetic. While the original seems vibrant and colorful, this one feels almost monochromatic. On the plus side it is a thick and glossy sleeve and it seems very sturdy. The innersleeve doubles as lyrics sheet. It is porous and paper thin, to be treated with care as it seems prone to be cut or damaged. Mine came already broken in a sealed copy from rubing against the Lp edges. The disc itself is gorgeous. The surface is glossy, clean and plays nicely. It is really heavy at 180 Grms. Soundwise it is very similar to the Ltd. Edition on red translucent vinyl (If I am not mistaken I have read somewhere the same 'Fathers' where used for pressing, but who knows). If one has to make a choice I would pick the red Lp if given the chance. But the Red Lp retails for much more and this pressing is fairly easier to fetch. So it is a really nice way to get the Lp if one consider the minor setbacks of the packaging.

My two-star rating isn't for the music on the album. I think anyone purchasing this vinyl album is already well aware that this is album is a major milestone for the pop superstar and contains some of her best music...even if it's a little hit-or-miss. No, this two-star rating is for the vinyl quality. Perhaps it's my fault for expecting more, but this is just the CD recording pressed on vinyl. That is to say, low volume, lacking bass, and covered in that digital sheen that plagued albums that came out in the late 80's/early 90's (those albums that had the DDD insignia on the back cover). I thought it would be remastered, or rebalanced at least. Eh, I guess I'll be buying this if and when a proper remaster is issued.

Have to admit that I'm pretty disappointed in this reissue. I have an original pressing and doing an A/B comparison showed the new version to be quieter and thinner sounding than the OG. It's crisp, but I had to crank it up to get the sound I wanted. It really doesn't have much low-end at all.

Actually, the LPs are made in EU but sound is perfect.

Great reissue. Vinyl is supreme. Printed inner sleeve does not house the actual record but comes separate. Record is housed in a generic white sleeve. Does not come with reproduction AIDS card and it is not scented like the original 1989 pressing.