Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication

Ngl this sounds like shit, it’s not nessicarily the record, but the original mixing is so incredibly brickwalled which kills any dynamics. Everything sounds very tinny. It’s a cool novelty to own but definitely not the most enjoyable way to experience Californiacation on wax

I bought the '99 US version back in the day, cleaned it up on my vacuum cleaner and all sides sounded like hot garbage. The vocals sounded overcooked and distorted and some instrument tracks were probably compressed also. You can hear some of the good sound trying to come out since the vinyl was of good quality and flat (180g helps). Cleaned it recently with an ultrasonic machine and my initial impressions were only reinforced. Whoever mastered this did a crap job, plain and simple.

Anyone do any comparisons with this release compared to the later remasters? I want to know if it is worth buying any of the remastered versions when I eventually decide to sell this one.

I don't get the positive reviews of this pressing. I bought it new for $20 at Tower Records when it came out, and I thought it was bad enough then that I wrote to Warner Bros. to tell them it sounded like they missed something in the quality-control process. It's brick-walled, like this release is generally said to be; there's sibilance on a lot of the tracks; and it just sounds very thin. I had an average turntable back then, but since have picked up a nice Technics running a quality Japanese cartridge, and it still sounds like hot garbage to me after listening today. I will agree that the chunky wax is flat as pancake, and quiet where it should be, but I have a 2012 repress on the way and am more than willing to part with my OP. I'll update with what I find.
Update: Suspicions confirmed, the 2012 reissue sounds better in most places with a lot less clipping and distortion, and as many have noted, a few minor differences in versions of a few tracks. There's nothing in writing to confirm the 2012 is a remaster. Rather, I believe it's just recut and uses some different source material. The runouts are noticeably different sizes between the two editions.

The sound is great from my point of view. Not so great like on USA promo Blood Sugar Sex Magic but ... excellent - loud, detailed and powerful. But does you have light noise on your copies? I sold my first copy of this release because it had a noise (was listenable between songs and in quite parts) and bought another one. Second copy looks NM and seller told me that he listened it only several times since bought it new... but it also has light noise.

The vinyl release sounds excellent albeit a little rough around the edges; some sibilance here and there, slight compression on the vocals at times and rhythm guitar kinda gets buried in the mix on some songs but that’s really where my complaints end. Like Stadium Arcadium, the sound of this recording is rich, full and extremely detailed but not quite as polished as Stadium. Again, the bass is immaculately recorded and really stands out boldly and drives the songs with frenzied power you can feel in your speakers and along with the thunderous drums, emit a ferocious wave of atmospheric synergy that is felt 360. The sound isn’t flawless, as I mentioned there are very minor hinderances but the sound is pretty solid for the most part. Expansive, defined, superfluous. I personally think the vinyl version sounds awesome attested to by the fact that I find myself rocking out to the songs super hard when I put this vinyl on because the sound just attacks you from all directions. Something to be aware of if purchasing this record, the cover is pretty flimsy so finding an original copy in NM condition may be difficult, it will most likely have bumped corners. Also, If buying a sealed copy, the records come in plain white paper inner sleeves that definitely will leave marks on the vinyl. This doesn’t effect playback. Records are 180g and play flawlessly with no surface noise, pops, static, etc...but the surface of the vinyl will look ugly from the paper sleeves. If you have no issue with this fine. I enjoy this album on vinyl.

My copy has different labels. https://img.aucfree.com/l559531296.2.jpg
Matrix and others are same as this US original 180g.
Is this different version?
Does anyone know about this?

Any body have a lyrics sheet for this? I’d be very interested in buying it.

This is one of the rare cases where the reissue (2012) is far superior to the original. If you want Californication on vinyl learn to identify the 1999 and avoid it at all cost.