Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

I found this record in a used bin so was pretty sure it was one of those noise filled record that the previous owner sold. The price was good so took the risk.

Both discs are flat and noiseless. What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t even check if it was Optimal pressing or Rainbo but happy that it’s not Rainbo. Rainbo was the worst pressing plant in the world. Never got a good sounding record from them.

Overall, I am a bit disappointed with the sound. Why did they go with loud mastering for an ambient record like this I have no idea. The bass is pushed so forward that it drowns vocals and other instruments during some ages in every song. Aside from the bass, it feels like piano/strings/vocals compete to breathe at times.

If the mastering was done properly, this would’ve been a modern audiophile record. Still a better sounding record than many records that came out during the peak of loudness war.

I prefer the version on Spotify - while it sounds a tad bit thinner, it doesn’t have the overblown bass which brings out more clarity.

More of the same from my 2016 Optimal Pressing copy. This particular pressing has pops and noise in dead ages. The discs themselves are slightly warped. The recording itself is a bit muddy and seduced in the sonic ranges. It is most noticed with the vocal tracks. They are not fully represented in the recording. I am sad by this b/c it is such a wonderful album. One of the best modern albums ever!

Fantastic music, the vinyl itself was badly scuffed due to paper inners. A lot of crackle during quiet ages/ballads. Such a shame. Everything else is done beautifully.

Was a bit worried from the other reviews, so immediately popped this record into the ultrasonic cleaner for 2 cycles before playing. WOW - not sure how it would've sounded fresh out of the sleeve, but after the cleaning it is one of the clearest records in my collection. Pristine sound, not a single snap, crackle, or pop. Very satisfied to have one of my favorite records in this format now :)

Amazing album, but making the record sound good is impossible

I think the mastering for vinyl is about as good as you can get in the 21st century. Ranking with any exquisite audiophile experience say, of the likes of Floyd of the 70s and say, Kate Bush or Gabriel and 80s. Essential. In every respect.

Mine has BM82937-01-A1 XLLP790-A4 BAZZA on disc 1, side 1 and on all other sides except for the discs and sides numbers. The name Bazza only appears on side 1 runout. Should I add it as a variant here ? Or create a new entry ? It came with a card and has a silver sticker on the shrinkwrap. No other information as to where it was made on the cover or records. Bought in . 180 grams black vinyl. Thanks.

Is there any record with so many reviews at each end of the spectrum?
Mine was reasonably clean and sounds fantastic. It's glorious and my favourite RH album.

This was the dirtiest record I have ever bought, and it looked genuinely played-once and devoid of any fingerprints or other marks. I see why the seller unloaded it: on first listening, even after a wet clean I give every record I get, it sounded downright terrible! In basically every way: noisy, pops, clicks, muddy master, even straight up distortion. One of the worst sounding discs I’ve put on my table. Gave it a couple more cleanings just to see and it started sounding better so I kept going. Ended up cleaning it 8 times total between hand cleaning with a brush and a spin clean. It now sounds genuinely great! Silent, deep, detailed, spacious, airy, everything it should be. Now that they’re clean and play properly I absolutely love these discs!! But damn for how into sound they are RH’s lack of QC on their vinyl is befuddling. Make me wonder how many other of their poor pressings are simply really dirty…

Having slept on this one for years (the couple of songs i heard didnt really grab me), finally got myself a copy to give it another go....My word, superb album , just a real coherent body of work. Pressing is absolutely superb, no issues whatsoever. Was a little nervous having read issues other people have had but happy to report its perfect, barely a pop.