Public Enemy – Fear Of A Black Planet

I don't know if this is a gear issue with the bad reviews. I'm listening to it right now with VPI Prime turntable, Sumiko Blackbird lo output cart into a Manley Chinook phono and a Sansui 9090DB stereo, and I cannot even describe how good it sounds. Like listening to these songs for the first time. Very clear and loud with fantastic warm and smooth bass.

Why oh why was the first side split not put directly after Terrordome?!

My copy sounds good, way better than expected after reading these reviews. The separation could be better but, I don’t the copy I had in 1990 being super dynamic either.

Disappointing. Split over 2 LPs I was expecting something special (by my math this could have been 45RPM). Very quiet (I've never had to turn my amp volume this high) though "Welcome to the Terrordome" sounds better than other tracks. Lots of surface noise. Sounds a bit tinny and muffled and flat. It's much better than the Apocalypse '91 double LP reissue by Def Jam...so I guess that's a plus? If the rest of the album sounded like "Welcome to the Terrordome" it would be an improvement.

As usual with VMP, the overall package is of high quality - gatefold tip on jacket, listening notes, pretty coloured vinyl. Unfortunately, it is sonically disappointing considering the album is spread over two LP's. The sound is very similar to my 1990 European CD, with perhaps slightly more warmth and less high-end. But really, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference unless you were actively listening out for subtle differences.

If the album was indeed recorded to tape (the original CD has the SPARS code AAD), and those tapes still exist then there is still an opportunity for someone to put out a definitive version of this album on vinyl. Until then, stick with your CD or single LP version.

My first copy of this record, but I think it rules and I am pretty harsh on pressing quality.

Same GZ default pressing here, I can hear sometimes light sizzles during the play...

Great pressing, my copy is super clean with no surface noise…….my original lp sounds the same throughout with some songs sounding less dynamic than others. This is how i my album and tape sounding.
Gatefold and colored vinyl looks pretty slick as well.

This is a superb master. Far better than the 36 Chambers from the same VMP month. Some people have commented on low mastering volume. I did not bother to measure decibel output (didn't seem necessary) but I did do a quick A/B just now between this and Wu-Tang and this is perfectly fine, comparable on output level (esp considering this is not 45RPM). It is missing the bloated bass of the Wu release which sounds like it was mastered for crappy speakers.

This is certainly not a dynamic album anyway, but this master actually makes it seem that way! Just superlative. Far better than the unbalanced, boomy Wu record. There is excellent separation in the frequency ranges, Chuck and Flava really pop out as do many of the samples (there's some definition on the samples that was totally unexpected- while at the same time the bass has a real heft and punch that is obviously absent from the (still rather good) single vinyl release of this. Actually, punchy is a good description for this master on the whole.

I don't know what folks are listening to this on, but this is seriously underrated. Sounds great and every time I put it on the volume inevitably creeps up and I end up getting a text from my wife saying her clients can hear it on her VC, but because it's such a clean punchy master it works really well at reduced volume too.

If you can get a clean version this is the one to have - that is the only issue, I am requesting my third due to characteristic GZ right channel surface noise. Otherwise, this master is definitive, would love to hear Bum Rush and Nation of Millions given this treatment. Hard albums to remaster to great effect but this shows it can be done, Chuck and Flava never sounded so good. There is also a wonderful rounded characteristic to the sound which takes away some of the inherent shoutiness of this record (and I say this listening on horns). I don't think this ran through tubes for the new master but I wouldn't be surprised if you told me so. Very impressive.

For reference, ATVM540ML, SL1200GR, PS Audio pre and mono blocks, Klipsch Forte III (and subwoofer off!).

The whole idea if a lengthy album like this given the double disc treatment is that it's loud and dynamic, if that's not the case then it's basically a waste of time.