Adele (3) – 21

Just listened for the first time since I bought this record 3 years ago. Mine sounds great, there is a static background but it doesn't over power any of the music. I haven't gotten a chance to give it a bath yet.

I'm in agreement with everyone else. My copy is very quiet and full of crackles and pops that overpowers the music and vocals at most points, after many cleanings and a handful of plays.

Same as others.. ultrasonically cleaned mine twice and it still sounds like a 2nd hand VG copy in the quieter parts of the record. Low level recording so you need to up the volume which makes the clicks and pops worse.. frustrating for such a good album

My copy seemed like it was very quiet and has a bit of surface noise. Still pretty great though.

I would give it a 4/5. my copy has a good pressing condition. I didn't notice a lot of cracks or pops but still have some. One important part is there was a lot of dust when I took it out of the paper sleeve. really a lot I don't know why. Then I would expect more about the sleeve. Generally, it is good for me.

i don't even want to know what life would be like without this album

Great album! Could be a little louder but still nice to have on vinyl.

The recording and dynamics are good but a bit overcompressed in places. I would have graded this higher, but this vinyl was unacceptably dirty straight out of the sealed sleeve. It was de-dusted and then ultrasonically cleaned before the first play. Even then, as others have noted, this XL pressing was full of pops and clicks. This is the second XL pressing (the other was Adele 25) that was full of actual dirt and permanent pops right out of the factory sealed sleeve. I honestly suspect the stamper XL used was dirty. In any case, XL needs to work on their QC.

Not bad, but nothing special either. Comparatively flat and low sounding compared to super pressing of later album 30 that I procured from VMP. Interesting how different they sound!

Sounds fantastic. No pops or clicks on either side on my copy.