Is it questionable to buy new popular music on LP?

I think it is a "mixed" bag. I have some new vinyl releases that sound great and others that sound bad. My observation is that it has more to do with the mix than the pressing quality. For instance I have listened to Springsteen's Magic on both CD and vinyl and both sound bad on my home system. The place it sounds the best is on my car stereo which was probably one of the playback targets of the mix.

Dunk- Funny you mention Magic - Is it probably the worst sounding LP I own. I have found though that as I get my table better at controlling resonances, that LP sounds a bit better. Terry's song, the last cut sounds quite decent, given that it is quieter, and wasn't as heavily produced.

Last year, when Magic first came out I saw Bruce live at the Garden here in NYC.

I happened to pass by Jon landau on our way in, and I so wanted to ask him if what they heard in the studio was what hey hear on the final CD.
Unfortunately he was in conversation and my group didn't want to wait.

I just downloaded a flac verson of the CD (since i own the LP already) and will have to compare for myself.

I agree with Emailists. Magic has probably got to be the WORST modern day recording that I have on vinyl. Hollow, compressed, smeared and absolutely lifeless. Definitely targeted at the NO-FI Generation.

I too, wonder whether performers actually have the opportunity to hear the final mix. Audio enthusiasts do NOT deserve a recording of such low calibre. (sigh) AUD$39 down the crapper.

As a big fan of the local college radio station here in Rochester NY I bought The Format Dog Problems from the band's web site. I remember K-Tel making better sounding records! It actually sounds better on my car radio!

Springsteen has a long, long history of format-independent rotten recordings. It's too bad. I want to rock out, I slap on The River and boogie for two and a half tracks before I can't stand it any more. If you want to hear him at his best I guess you have to go to a show.