The Smile (5) – Wall Of Eyes

I saw a copy at my local record store, and since i heard many people here say it was just random whether or not you get a good copy, i just impulse bought it.

I guess i got lucky, cause it is one of the best sounding records i have heard. There isn’t a single pop in the entire thing, and only some really small crackling on side two.

As others have said, it is definitely a quiet record, but if you just turn the gain up, it sounds great.

Buying this will technically get you a copy of Wall of Eyes by The Smile pressed on vinyl. Mine is full of pops and clicks even after a cleaning, as others have stated. Mastering is dark and muffled. Disappointing pressing of a good album.

Agree with comments saying side 2 sounds noticeably better than side 1, strange. After a couple wet cleanings, I still have a fair amount of surface noise however it is primarily heard at the beginning of songs and in some quieter ages. Also agree on this record sounding somewhat muffled, nowhere near as clear as their other two releases for whatever reason. However, it is all worth it for Bending Hectic - what a masterpiece the whole side 2 really is.

Side 1 sounds like a decent mp3. Side 2 sounds excellent. Has a bit of noise like when vinyl is pressed of recycled resin but not bad at all.
This is a very dark sounding recording so don’t expect to levitate with it on either vinyl or CD.

Warped (dished) badly; sounds just ok: seems compressed, wish it were better

Pressing: My record was warped and has a 2-inch scratch on side 1 that was not audible. Certain portions of the record were quiet other portions were distractingly noisy, particularly Track 1 Side 2. I didn't clean the record prior to playing, I just used a brush. This was not cut very hot I had to turn up my amp pretty loud.
Mastering: Not great but not bad. I found the sound overall to be slightly muffled, with Yorkes vocals and the snare drum feeling a little veiled which reduced some of the impact. There is a lot of bass on this record and at times I found it distracting and other times it was pleasant and palpable. Maybe the base is part of the reason the midrange feels veiled at times.
Played on a Project Debut carbon with a 2M Blue.

Mine sounds really quite great compared to most of my Radiohead reissues. guess I got lucky!

Got this as a replacement for the US blue release. Not much better. It does help to lower the bass if you can as it's otherwise a bit on the darker side.

But poppy AF even after a cleaning. It does seem like some of the noise will diminish some running the stylus back and forth but it shouldn't require this much work to fix some of the surface noise.

The last track has some inner groove distortion.

Got black LP vinyl with a 2 inch scuff across 3 songs on side B though not affecting sound. My pressing is relatively good after cleaning. Overall not impressed with the sound of this album - lacks impact and dynamics, feels notably compressed. Tom’s drum kit and cymbals sound thin and muffled. The previous album “A light for attracting attention” sounded more lively.

lousy pressing, has a quarter inch scratch that ruins the first track, and it's got a pretty good warp. Where is the quality control these days? I'm returning it.