Cocteau Twins – Heaven Or Las Vegas

Upon reassessing this pressing, it’s good for what it is (meaning a misinformed remaster [bass too high for one] and not an original pressing)…except for Iceblink Luck (ssssssNAKE!!) and Heaven or Las Vegas (what have they done to my child?!!), as others have noted. I will say I updated my stereo system and my cartridge on turntable so perhaps that’s why I think it’s better. Anyway if you want cheap vinyl copy of this album, this will do

I spent years worrying about this release. I have read some mighty suspicious things. Maybe the 2014 repressings have changed but let me assure you this pressing is a REVELATION. Often I constantly wonder if I am imagining that the vinyls are not as inferior as I think (sorry but time has proven that I know when I know ). Well with this masterpiece I knew first note. This (the 2014 vinyl remaster) is flawless. Dead quiet, highs, lows, and separations all spot on. It’s superior to the CD. Buy it!!

Not sure what to make of the reviews here, my copy sounds sublime. Whisper quiet with literally just one small pop after Fotzepolitic, no general distortion or IGD whatsoever, etc. I ultrasonically cleaned mine, very happy with it. Sounds like there are maybe some bad presses floating around out there, but mine is not one.

Read the reviews and took a chance, so I’ve only myself to blame. One of my favourite albums and to be honest it isn’t a dreadful pressing, but it’s a tough one to listen to at points. As others have said, A5 (title track) has massive IGD, which would sort of be covered by the grungy guitars but for Elizabeth Fraser’s vocals being almost completely fuzzed away. Overall it’s top heavy and coarse on high frequencies, even for a 90s recording, and the soundstage is overly compressed. However, I have compared it to the digital recording and at least some of the general quality issues must be down to overall production. I knew what I was buying and I can live with it, but you might want to hold out for a remaster.

Better listen to this amazing album on apple music or Spotify rather on this shit pressing. Everything flat, compressed and distorted here. This album really needs proper audiophile reissue.

Great album...As everything CT has put out. The wax is flat, almost completely noise free (not having the IGD some have had), and sounds good on my modest system. (Fluance RT-82 w/Acrylic Platter, ATN-XP cart/5 stylus. Nobsound T3 Phono Amp, Aiyima A07 Pro, Kicker KB6B, & Polk PSW10 Sub...Simple Low Cost Setup), it does sound a lot louder than my other CT albums and may add to the sibilance issue some have stated. I don't know if anyone else has had this issue, when I received the LP had these little gummy balls, not sure if it was some type of protective coating. First, I played it just brushing the wax and it didn't sound good (Highs forward and brittle). I gave it a good wet clean and it seems to have cleared the sound issue, not sure if the coating was obstructing the needle from getting deep into the groove but it worked for my copy.

Hope robin does this remaster like he just did for milk and kisses

Weird pressing, gain is way too high and IGD is present on side 1 not side 2. Some tracks lack real life. An album that screams a proper Abbey Road studio remastering if at all possible with digital 90s music. Stick to CD.

Have the later pressings improved at all? I bought my copy in 2015 or 2016 and Iceblink Luck and the title track have so much sibilance distortion (at least I think that's the term, correct me if I'm wrong) it's completely unlistenable. If so, would I likely get a recently pressed copy if I ordered directly from 4AD's US store?

saw the reviews and got it, it's definitely not as bad as people say, although the title track has some poor production but besides that it sounds good