Kate Bush


I hesitated between posting this question in the Music forum rather than Analog, but since the question regards the quality of the vinyl pressing and sound rather than the quality of the music, I decided the question was more fitting in the Analog forum.

I own all of Kate's records with the exception of "Aerial," and all of her albums are exceptionally good sounding, even the recent reissues of "The Hounds of Love" and "The Sensual World." Her last release before "50 Words for Snow" was "Director's Cut," which she released under her own label Fish People. The quality is beyond reproach. I just purchased "50 Words for Snow" and cleaned it with the AIVS 3-step formulas before first play. I had to stop a few minutes into the first song as the sounds was being marred by the loud crackling noise every several seconds. Same with the second song. It pretty much continued throughout the entire two-record album. The album was mastered by Doug Sax and James Guthrie and the CD sounds spectacular so I know it's not the recording but the quality of the pressing. Does anyone who owns this release share my experience? As much as I'd want it to be the case, I find it hard to believe I just happened to buy a bad isolated pressing. I'm so bummed as the music is heavenly.
actusreus
I have it and am not sure I played it all the way through. Not because of the pressing quality which appears to be pristine, but because I simply don't like it. If you can't get your copy exchanged, let me know (no one else, please). Contact me off line.
I noticed intermittent crackling on the first two cuts but clean thereafter. The situation improved slightly after a good wash. I have not had a chance to revisit.
My experience was similar, though perhaps not as bad as yours, with the snap, crackle, and pops not as frequent. I, too, own all of Kate Bush's records on vinyl -- and on CD, too. I've loved her from the first. Wish I'd seen her live on her brief little tour way back in the late 1970s. Wish I were a snowman!