Erasure – The Innocents

Totally blows me away that this album isn’t rated higher. Granted I’m playing with a higher end system, but still. This thing SHINES. Fantastic sonics. Great separation and just sounds stellar. I’ve got albums that cost far more than this thing pressed for the “audiophile” and this blows em away.

This is a great album and not a bad recording. I don’t have the original to compare but against a lot of 80s stuff it’s quieter and needs more volume but the sound and separation is good. Ship of fools is awesome

Well after reading the reviews o was worried about my sealed copy, played on my pro-ject x1 and nothing wrong with it.
Clean as a whistle.

Sounds like somebody has threw a blanket over my speakers it sounds really bad

Possibly the original master was not in good condition, or the head alignment was off, but the frequency response rolls off very early starting just below 14kHz particularly on Side A which is why many are complaining about the lack of clarity. On Side B there is slightly more HF energy extending out to 16kHz, but the sound is noticeably warmer and less crisp compared to the original UK pressing. To be fair, if you have never heard the original on CD or the original LP, the sound is not bad at all. The pressing quality is very good with quiet vinyl and the sound has a warmer presentation which can be preferred by some. I don't find it bad, but it certainly lacks the clarity and punch of the original. However, what is unforgiveable in my opinion is that there are several audible tape faults on Side B - audible warbles can be heard a couple of seconds into the start of Imagination and at 12s into Weight of The World. I find it astonishing that these defects were not picked up on the test pressings. You are better off seeking out an original LP edition or CD if you want to enjoy the music as it was originally intended to sound.

I always liked Erasure and this album is probably the best of the lot. Picked up an original 1988 (same year I left school 😁) copy from a local charity shop for just £6 and it’s a surprisingly good pressing. A lot of late 80’s pressings weren’t up to scratch but this is a very nice sounding copy with deep bass and smooth mids and highs. Well worth the money!

My pressing sounds fantastic! Even better since it's also a pretty fantastic record. 80's era Synth Pop sounds amazing on vinyl, by the way.

My copy sounds great. Not sure if my copy is a repress of the 2016 reissue since mine did not come with a hype sticker. The volume is a bit low, but very crankable. I think people are getting the 80s style production mixed up with claims of being muffled, which is thick with reverb.

I’m not much of an audiophile but I think the volume/balance is low on this. Will test on my player at home since I am at my mom’s where I received it now but I think people are right that it sounds muffled. Too bad. Was looking forward to this one. Paid $27.

My pressing sounds great. There is slight surface noise, but the dynamics are pretty nice on mine. This was a solid album for Erasure. Plenty of hook’s throughout!