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
Moonglum: The first copy I got had one of the the labels off center, but other than that it appeared ok on visual inspection. I cannot say for sure the noise occurs in exactly the same spot as it was just pretty much every few seconds throughout the first side. It did seem to get a tad batter into the record, but still unlistenable and unacceptable for a brand new pressing.
The store has a Stanton or one of those DJ turntables that they use to play records with and some vintage speakers on the floor so I'm not sure how determinative it would be if the records sounded "fine." The manager said he had a "nice" Sony turntable at home so again I'm not sure how convincing his test was.

Raul: I too thought that the record revealed some deficiency or misalignment in my system, but all other records, both new and used, play without any problems.

Here is my take on this after a closer look: The first record released by Kate's record company, Fish People (aka Noble & Brittle), was "Director's Cut." The record was pressed in Europe. It sounds terrific. "50 Words for Snow," even though on the same label, was licensed to Anti, Inc. in the US. I'm convinced this is where the problem lies. They most likely did not pay enough attention to the quality of the vinyl pressing and botched the job. I don't know where Raul's and Atmasphere's copies came from, but I bet the copies manufactured in Europe sound fine.
Raul: Does your copy have a big ANTI- logo next to the FISH People logo on the bottom of the back cover? And does it say under the logos, "2011 Noble & Brittle Ltd. trading as Fish People, under exclusive license to Anti, Inc. (LA address)"?
Dear Actusreus: Yes, that exactly what I'm reading right now.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.