SUPER Staticy Record???

So, I got a shipment from overseas of some new vinyl.  The first LP I pulled out of its sleeve literally had to be PULLED out of the sleeve there was so much static.  I spin washed/vacuumed it and then hit it with a carbon brush when I put it on the TT.  When I put the needle down it sounded like it was pressed through a layer of gauze.  I was pissed.  Shitty pressing from a small "audiophile" label - I surmised.  Its a double LP and I didn't bother to try out the second record.  I got three other albums from this label so I'm now expecting the worst and not a happy camper.

So today I pulled out the second record - which was also pretty staticy - spun washed it, carbon brushed it and it sounded fine... really good actually.  

Then I pulled the first LP out of the sleeve today to double check my ears (it slid out smoothly this time).  I put it on the TT; hit it with the brush; dropped the needle; and... viola - it sounds fine (more than fine, it sounds great).

Query: a vinyl be SO staticy that brushing, washing, vacuuming and brushing again doesn't get rid of the static?  Why did it sound so bad before I put it back in its sleeve last night and sound fine today?  When I say "so bad", I mean it sounded like every groove was full of grainy distortion to the point where it was virtually unlistenable.