Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree

I agree with the other reviewer that mentioned that this record needs to be played on a full range setup at around >70db. If you can do that then the space and dynamics are wide open and pretty beautiful. If you want the high gain compressed version you can always stream it or buy a cd. One of the best things about vinyl mastering is it often allows a mastering engineer to not brickwall the album. It’s pretty much the only medium where they are allowed to do a proper mastering for a hi-fi setup. This release is a great example.

There are a lot of mixed reviews here..I'm happy to report that my copy is nearly flawless in every aspect..the sonics are outstanding..huge soundstage, wide and deep, with life-size and life-like images..sweet airy highs, deep bass, and everything in between, certainly one of my best sounding records..the only issue is a very slight amount of surface noise in a couple of places...it is otherwise flat and pretty..the packaging is gorgeous..just felt I should share my experience

TLDR: it ain't lacking dynamics, it lacks "proper" loudness and compression. Sounds really good on really good speakers while played at least on medium levels, sounds indeed thin when played on apple earbuds or quiet - I'd also prefer "loud" cd version during quiet listening.

Okay, I pulled the trigger on this one because it was cheap and have to disagree with most of the comments - I really like this weird mastering. At first it does seem bland and flat, but it really shines when you crank up the volume - it has more microdynamics, is more delicate than cd version and it lets you pick details easier, it just sounds like it lacks any standard compression or loudness, like it was taken almost untouched directly from mix. When played loud, it sounds like in studio rather than listening to the record at home. At the same levels, cd version sounds too loud. CD tho is better suited for normal listening levels and on meh hardware.

IMO this is more fun to have than LP that sounds almost identical to cd version and has only cosmetic advantages or disadvantages. This one gives you completely different sounding album.

Also - even if the sound doesn't convince you, the record in yellow looks good, gatefold has nice, matte finish and in general it's a nice looking one on my shelf. It's one of the very few positive surprises of the record for me that was supposed to be meh.

Wow, the on the sound of this pressing is all over the place! I'm afraid to take the plunge.

Disappointed with this pressing; sounds flat and doesn't make the best of the beautiful arrangements. A real shame for such a great album!

Well I waited a long time to get a copy of this and when it came up for reissue I thought great at last an affordable copy of an album I absolutely love.
What a disappointment, boy is this a dull recording no dynamics flat to the point of bland.
I even prefer the CD. At least that has some life to it.

Superb. Entire package is gorgeous, vinyl is beautiful and sonics are amazing. Very dynamic audio presentation and quiet pressing. I listen on horn loaded speakers and hear everything in exceptional detail, good or bad. Beautiful sound pours out of them when this is playing.

I’ll start by saying I absolutely adore this album.. I’ve owned the original pressing since 2008 and with this new one was hoping for at least equal or better sound alongside the predecessor.. but no; doesn’t measure up. The reissue comes across as very flat comparatively and contains the downfall of a lot of LPs out there; a noticeable and annoying “hiss” on the “s” sounds. While the original version fills the room with broad depth on tracks like Cologne Cerrone Houdini, this one just.. doesn’t.
The Supernature green reissue shines alongside the original pressing but this one falls quite short. I hate to say this but... Stick to the CD.

So, this is interesting to me - am I the only one that is hearing consistent surface noise through one channel? Like, through the entire album? The yellow vinyl is lovely, I ordered via Mute so I could get the poster, but it is FARRRRR from quiet. I have a fairly new table, a Fluance RT85 with an Ortofon blue on it... can't figure out why I'm hearing this and nobody else is.

Great sounding pressing, way better than the original LP I sold 5 years ago. I note that the deadwax has the initials "CB" etched in it--would that be Chris Bellman, who did the recent Talking Heads vinyl reissues?