60bpm

★★★★½ Jul 5, 2026

"About You" was so good I had to listen to the entire album

★★★★★ Jul 3, 2026

Abbey Road is the final album the Beatles recorded together When you play "Come Together," Ringo’s snare has this immediate pop, and Paul's bass line feels incredibly forward. But the real test for me is always the Side 2 medley. The acoustic guitar intro to "Here Comes The Sun" has a woody warmth and presence that just feels alive in the room. And if your copy is clean enough to survive the quiet cricket sound effects transitioning into "Sun King" without a wall of surface noise, you’ve won the lottery Decent copies are getting harder to buy without painful shipping fees from across the pond. If you just want a fat-sounding version for a casual setup, the modern 2019 reissue is perfectly fine. Capitol Records US pressings from the 1980s and 1990s I heard, wasn't too good

Hounds Of Love - 2010 - US - Audio Fidelity (3) - AFZLP 087 - Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered

★★★★½ Jul 3, 2026

For this listen, I’m using the 2010 US Audio Fidelity pressing of Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love, catalogue number AFZLP 087. This is the pink/grey marbled 180g version, mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. That already makes it a more interesting copy than a random coloured reissue. A lot of coloured vinyl feels like it exists just to look nice, but this one actually is different What I like about Hounds of Love on vinyl is how much the format suits the album’s structure. Side one has the more immediate songs, while side two becomes The Ninth Wave, which feels like a little film playing out across one side of the record. Streaming makes it easy to treat everything like one long playlist, but vinyl makes the split feel intentional. I would not say this is the only version worth owning. Original UK copies have their own collector appeal, and later reissues are easier to find. But this 2010 Audio Fidelity pressing is a really nice middle ground, collectible, good-looking, and actually interesting from a mastering point of view.

The Dark Side Of The Moon - 1973 - UK - Harvest - SHVL 804, 1E 064 o 05249 - Vinyl

★★★★★ Jul 3, 2026

This is probably one of the most talked-about Pink Floyd pressings ever. Not just because it sounds good, but because the whole thing has become part of vinyl collector culture. Pink Floyd Archives also warns that “first issue” and “first pressing” are not always the same thing, even a solid blue triangle copy needs runout/mother/stamper details to judge how early it actually is. This is huge collector flex, but not necessarily the smartest value buy, and a bad-condition copy is not magically good just because the label is rare. Some later UK pressings are also well-liked by collectors and can be a much smarter buy if you mainly care about sound This vinyl is actually a good system test check track. “Time” is a system-check track, the clocks should jump out with space and attack, but not become harsh. “Money” tests bass, groove, and separation. The cash register loop should feel clean not messy. “Us and Them” is where you hear whether the pressing has a quiet background and wide soundstage. “The Great Gig In The Sky” is all about vocal presence and dynamics. A noisy or worn copy will make this track suffer badly.

Songs From The Big Chair - 1985 - UK - Mercury - MERH 58 - Vinyl

★★★★½ Jul 3, 2026

The original UK Mercury MERH 58 is still fairly findable, not impossible, which makes it a good collector/audiophile blog pick. Collectors often compares the UK original against later reissues and the US copies. Some collectors prefer certain US copies or later reissues, and some discussions mention the UK being a bit bright I am prety pleased with my UK original. On a good copy, the main things to listen for are bass weight, vocal presence, top-end extension, and whether the huge 80s production feels open or congested. This album benefits from a pressing with good separation because the arrangements are dense, with synths, drums, bass, vocals, guitar lines, sax, and big choruses all competing for space. Might be a good first to collect without spending too much money, but because it sold a lot, condition matters, as a cheap copy with groove wear will ruin some parts

Purple Rain - 1984 - US - Warner Bros. Records - 25110-1, 1-25110 - Vinyl

★★★★★ Jul 3, 2026

Purple Rain is not rare, but clean original copies are still desirable. There are newer pressings, remasters, and even premium editions now, but the original 1984 feels more close to the heart. Purple Rain sold a lot, so it is not impossible to find, but a lot of copies were clearly played hard. Getting a clean original copy feels different from just picking up any old copy. This is the album that pushed Prince from already-big to full superstar level. You get drum machines, synths, big guitars, funk, pop, rock, and Prince’s voice right in the middle of everything. It is also one of those 80s records where the production, mix, and pressing really matter.

Moon Safari - 2015 - Europe - Warner Music Group - 0724384497811 - Vinyl

★★★★½ Jun 27, 2026

Moon Safari is one of those albums that makes time slow down. From the opening bassline of "La Femme d'Argent", Air create a world that feels impossibly relaxed yet meticulously detailed. The record drifts between soft grooves, lush synths and dreamy melodies without ever losing its sense of momentum. Even after nearly thirty years, it still sounds fresh

Heaven Or Las Vegas - 2014 - UK, Europe & US - 4AD - Cad 3420 - Vinyl

★★★★ Jun 27, 2026

Heaven or Las Vegas feels less like a collection of songs and more like stepping into a dream. Elizabeth Fraser's voice often transcends language entirely, becoming another instrument within Robin Guthrie's shimmering wall of guitars. Despite its ethereal sound, the album remains surprisingly immediate, balancing beauty and melancholy in a way few dream pop records have managed since. The 2014 4AD reissue provides an excellent entry point for experiencing this classic on vinyl. The pressing is quiet and detailed, allowing the layered production to fully reveal itself. Simon Raymonde's bass work, often overshadowed on casual listens, comes through with impressive clarity, grounding the album's more atmospheric moments. While longtime fans may prefer the warmth and character of early UK pressings, this reissue delivers an immersive listening experience that captures the magic of the original recording. Every spin feels like getting lost in a beautiful haze.

The Bends - 2016 - US - XL Recordings - XLLP780 - Vinyl

★★★★½ Jun 27, 2026

Album Everyone jumps straight to OK Computer when they talk Radiohead but this one deserves way more credit. It's more raw, and honestly has some of their best songs on it. Fake Plastic Trees, Just, Street Spirit Pressing For the pressing, skip the 2008 Capitol (flat and lifeless, everyone who owns one regrets it) and the more recent GZ Czech pressings. The one to get is the 2016 XL repress that uses the original UK metalwork On the turntable it sounds pretty great, Planet Telex opens up properly, and Fake Plastic Trees has real emotional weight to it. It's a touch quieter than the original Parlophone so crank it up a bit.. Street Spirit closing the record is haunting in the best way.

OK Computer - 1998 - UK - Parlophone - NODATA 02, 7243 8 55229 1 8 - Vinyl

★★★★★ Jun 27, 2026

Album OK Computer is one of those records for me just hits good. My favourites are Paranoid Android, Let Down, The Tourist, it's basically classics. Pressing Now the pressing. This 1998 UK Parlophone repress is the one people actually recommend when you ask around. The guitars have this crunch and texture that feels physical. Let Down is where it really comes to bne good. The Tourist closing out the record has drums you can actually feel. Not sure about the other pressings but this one is definitely good