Leftfield – This Is What We Do

What a magnificent press ! White vinyl with zero noise! The production quality is also of a superior standing, created and produced whilst the world was going through a terrible pandemic and Neil Barnes himself suffering from a serious illness. Possibly how the title was born come to think of it. What is there not to like about this album!

Packaging is kinda mediocre. No gatefold. Pixelated cover image but that is all made up for by an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC PRESSING. Pure Perfection. Amazing soundstage. Tracks so freaking well. No pops or clicks just straight up Leftfield bliss!

Some of the beats and synths are cool, but the vocals... way too much trying to be badass for me. It is like the Sleaford Mods collaboration from "Alternative Light Source" for the whole album. I'm afraid that Leftfield has left us two classics: "Leftism" and "Rhythm and Stealth". After that the output is far from essential to put it politely.

Oh dear, i was a bit apprehensive about a new album, and i was right to be, especially after the last album wasn't all up to the high standards we expect from him. And sadly, this is the sound of Neil running out of ideas and losing the plot! It starts of fine, first track is brilliant but then its like a train wreck. Awful dreery vocals and depressing music with no bite to it like it used to have. Ok it was worth doing a comeback album years ago but he should have left it there, this is just too far away from the leftfield sound it may as well be by someone else!

Took me a few listens to fully appreciate this album. Have literally grown up listening to every Leftfield album as it released, starting when I was a kid and now as an adult. Personally I find it fitting that the sound has changed as I've grown up, even if it is more of a result of the original pair no longer working together. Even so, the most recent pair of albums have delivered in very different ways, they definitely haven't captured what made the first two so special but there is still something distinctive and enjoyable about them and they do retain that raw energy.

The opening track sounds like vintage Leftfield and is the stand out track for me but I've always found Leftfield albums to be best experienced as a long player as opposed to cherry picking individual tracks and listening to them in isolation. Historically, whenever I've listened to any of the albums I listen to them all the way through because even the weaker tracks (which every album has had its share of) have added something. Having said that, I actually found the listening experience and overall flow this time around much improved when omitting three particular tracks that I just couldn't get into for some reason: Making A Difference, Come On, and Power Of Listening. Despite the titles, ironically these just felt like a bit of sludge to get through and if anything I thought they disrupted the flow so with them out of the way I've found myself listening to the 8 remaining tracks on repeat for days. It's not exactly a 'full listening experience' (ending the album with Accumulator is a little odd) but I'm enjoying it much more now. 4/5

Great album, really well pressed and very nice sounding.
Records were filthy out of the sleeve. As you all know on new lps the static stops the record from slipping out the inner so this records dirt lines and grease marks was direct from the factory in that condition. A damp cloth was used to get rid of the marks and light grime.
The records played great start to finish - no crackle or background noise.

I know prices are going up but dont think that means your standards should go in the opposite direction.

Great pressing on heavy black vinyl. Discs were a little dusty on a couple of edges & the inner bags are not poly lined but otherwise the discs sound ace.

An absolutely stunning pressing full of range and musicality. It’s astonishing how poor modern pressings are - and then a gem like this blows your mind. It’s a better sound than the CD. Wow just wow. Beautiful quiet pressing too.

An excellent album. Alas, not a gatefold, but otherwise a rather lavish package and very good value for money. Amazed this didn't sell out quicker. Well worth purchasing.

as of 2022-12-19 16:55 there is still copies on RT website for sale at retail price. Also I dont think the bonus CD has been sent out yet.