Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Love Bad News

I finally caved and bought this when I found a copy on here in good condition and reasonably priced (but still not cheap), after planning to buy the remastered 20th anniversary last year and balking when I saw reviews. I am not a huge fan of the different production sound on the 2024 remaster but the cost difference and accessibility in stores had me willing to buy it if the pressing was good. I liked the idea of having some of the extra songs too. Apparently it isn't great, so I went back to considering investing in a good copy. If you can afford to, this 2004 US press with the old Epic logo (make sure you ask and confirm before buying as I had a few "oops, it's listed wrong" before the one I got) sounds actually quite incredible and exceeded my hopeful but tempered/pessimistic expectations. It will be worth the extra money in the long run because I will listen to it more.

Did a direct comparison of the original pressing I recently acquired after owning the 2011 repress for years. This original pressing (noted by the matrix and the Epic logo on the back cover) is definitely a different master, confirmed by listening and observing the spacing between tracks. The original press is cut louder but also with more dynamics. The repress is a bit more compressed. Most notable in the bass, the original sounds like a subwoofer has been turned on, also more crankable. Original is also warmer but the treble is a little clearer at the same time. Repress has the upper mids and treble sitting a bit more forward in the mix, but they sound a bit congested/blurry sometimes. Not going to get into the analogue/digital debate or speculate whether the repress is the CD master. Some may even find they prefer the more forward presentation of the repress on their system. If you have a keen ear and a good hifi though you might find the original worth it at current prices (£50).

I got this LP (& another Modest Mouse album) for quite a steal directly from Epic records. I bought it a copy in 2021 for $50 (lost in a move) and this year I got it for $40. Pretty sure it’s a recent reissue but I don’t see it on Discogs so just wanted to give a heads up

Definitely superior to the 2011 reissue. Oddly enough it's a bit louder than the 2011, but after volume matching the original has better dynamics and clarity. Treble is rendered much more naturally, the 2011 sounds very digital and splashy in comparison.

Curious if anyone can speak to the differences in sound quality to this and the reissue from 2011?

I know first presses have the oval Epic logo on the back cover and NOT the script Epic logo as featured on the 180 gram reissue.

Does anyone have any info on the first press vinyls that had the signed inner sleeves? I'm assuming that would raise value? Has anyone seen these? Anyone know if they ran different Barcode numbers or anything? Any Info is helpful.