Year of the Covid Part II. Includes favorite new releases, reissues and compilations

Reissues that make this list are usually of good pressing/mastering quality

Purchased LP or EP unless otherwise stated BD, SACD, DVD-A or CD (*don't own)

2021 List

Favorite New Releases

• Blackberry Smoke - You Hear Georgia (2021,Opaque Red 2xLP)
• Black Keys - Delta Kream (2021,2xLP)
• Blacktop Mojo - Blacktop Mojo (2021,LP)
• Chevelle - Niratias (2021,LP)
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram - 662 (2021,Purple LP)
• Ciccada - Harvest (2021,LP)
• Donald Fagen - The Nightfly: Live (2021, LP)
• Earthless - Live in the Mojave Desert Vol.1 (2021,LEx300 Metallic Gold 2xLP)
• Elton John - Regimental Sgt. Zippo (2021,1967 Archival RSD LP)
• Heartless Bastards - A Beautiful Life (2021, Neon Violet LP)
• The Hilo Hi-Flyers - Adventure (2021,"Tiger Orange" LP)
• Iron Maiden - Senjutsu (2021,Red/Black Marble Walmart 3xLP)
• Jackson Browne - Downhill From Everywhere (2021,LP)*
• Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee (2011, Barnes & Noble Exclusive Yellow Splatter LP)
• Jimmy Buffett - Songs You Don't Know By Heart (2021,Blue 2xLP)
• Les Agamemnonz - Amateurs (2021,Yellow LP)
• Liquid Tension Experiment - LTE3 (2021,Orange 2xLP)
• Mammoth WVH - Mammoth WVH (2021,"Ruby Red" Walmart Exclusive 2xLP)
• Mastodon - Hushed and Grim (2021,2xLP)
• Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime (2024,LP)
• Moe. - Not Normal (2021,Red/Green/Orange Splatter EP)
• Nancy Sinatra - Start Walkin' 1965-1976 (2021,LITA "Summer Wine Sunburst Orange" 2xLP)
• Nebula - Live in the Mojave Desert Vol.2 (2021,LP)
• Neil Young - Young Shakespeare (2021,LP)
• Peter Frampton Band - Frampton Forgets the Words (2021,2xLP)
• The Pineapple Thief - Nothing But the Truth (2021,2xLP)
• Pond - 9 (2021, Metallic Silver 2xLP + Holographic Cover / Etched Side D)
• SOJA - Beauty in the Silence (2021,White w/Rainbow Splatter LP)
• Southern Avenue - Be the Love You Want (2021, LP)
• Steven Wilson - The Future Bites (2021,LP and 5.1 Blu-ray)
• Sturgill Simpson - Cuttin Grass Vol.2... (2020,2021 Indie Exclusive Blue LP)
• Styx - Crash of the Crown (2021,LP)
• Thunder - All the Right Noises (2021,Blue & Orange Galaxy 2xLP)
• Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe: 5.1 Mix (The Ultimate Version) (2021,Blu-ray)

Favorite Reissues

• Alan Parsons - On Air (1996,2021 Clear LP)
• Andrew Hill - Passing Ships (2003,2021 Blue Note Tone Poet 2xLP)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber - Jesus Christ Superstar (1970,2021 ARS RM 2xLP)
• Arabs in Aspic - Strange Frame of Mind (2010,2021 Translucent Yellow LP)
• Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Moanin’ (2021 BN Classic Vinyl Edition LP)
• Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - The Witch Doctor (1961,2021 BN Tone Poet LP)
• Billie Joe + Norah - Foreverly (2013,2021 Rhino SYEOR "Ice Cream Orange" Splatter LP)
• Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker (1990,2021 Walmart Exclusive Green LP)
• Bob Seger - Live Bullet (2021 Walmart Exclusive Red RM 2xLP)
• Bryan Ferry - Boys and Girls (1985,2021 ARS Remastered LP)
• Buffalo Springfield - Retrospective... (1969,2021 Rhino SYEOR LP)
• Can - Future Days (1973,2021 Mottled Gold LP)
• Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else (1958,2021 Blue Note Classic Series LP)
• Chevelle - Wonder What's Next (2021,LP)
• Counting Crows - August and Everything After (1993,Walmart Exclusive Gold 2xLP)
• Curtis Amy/Dupree Bolton - Katanga! (1963,2021 Blue Note Tone Poet LP)
• Curtis Mayfield - Roots (1971,2021 Pink LP)
• Dexter Gordon - One Flight Up (2021 Blue Note Tone Poet LP)
• Dexter Gordon - Go (2021 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Donald Byrd - Byrd in Flight (1960,2021 Blue Note Tone Poet LP)
• Dope Lemon - Smooth Big Cat (2019,2021 Picture Disc)
• Fleetwood Mac - Live (1980,2021 Barnes & Noble Exclusive Opaque Red 2xLP)
• Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (2003,2021 2xLP)
• Genesis - A Trick of the Tail (1976,2021 Rhino SYEOR "Easter Yellow" LP)
• Genesis - Duke (1980,2021 Rhino SYEOR White LP)
• Gentle Giant - Free Hand (2021 Steven Wilson 5.1/Stereo Mix CD+Blu-ray)
• Ghost - Prequelle (2018,2021 Metallic Gold and Ash Marble LP)
• Gil Evans Orchestra - Out of the Cool (1961,2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds LP)
• Grant Green - Idle Moments (2021 BN Classic LP)
• Guasones - Toro Rojo (2005,2021 LP)
• Haken - The Mountain (2013,2021 RE 2xLP)
• Hank Mobley - Soul Station (2021 BN Classic Vinyl Edition)
• Hank Williams - 20 Greatest Hits (2020 Walmart Exclusive Gold LP)
• Jimmy Buffett - Songs You Don't Know By Heart (2020,2021 Blue/Black Clear Marble 2xLP)
• Jimmy Smith - Back At the Chicken Shack (2021,BN Classic Series LP)
• Joe Henderson - Page One (2021 Blue Note Classic Series LP)
• John Lennon - Gimme Some Truth. (2020,2021 Target Exclusive Opaque Blue 2xLP)
• John Scofield & Pat Metheny - I Can See Your House... (1994,2021 Tone Poet 2xLP)
• Johnny Cash - Live From Austin TX (2005,2022 Walmart Red Marble LP +DVD)
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland (2017,2021 Fuzz Club Electric Blue LP)
• Larry Coryell - At the Village Gate (1971,2021 Split Blue LEx1500 RSD LP)
• Lee Morgan - The Rajah (1984,2021 Blue Note Tone Poet LP)
• Matt Berry - Witchazel (2009,2021 Caramel LP)
• Matt Berry - Kill the Wolf (2013,2021 Gatefold Green LP)
• Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971,2021 Target Green + Poster LP)
• Metallica - Metallica (1991,2021 Bob Ludwig Remastered 2xLP)
• Midnight - Sweet Death & Ecstasy (2017,2021 Green/Red Swirl LP)
• Monolord - Rust (2017,2021 LEx100 Purple 2xLP)
• The Muffs - The Muffs (1993,2021 LP)
• of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins (2005,2021 Deluxe Orange/Red Swirl 2xLP)
• Nebula - To the Center (1995,2021 LP)
• PJ Harvey - Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea (2000,2021 LP)
• Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain (1984,2021 Target Exclusive Purple Swirl LP)
• Ray Charles - Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961,2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds LP)
• Red Fang - Murder the Mountains (2011,2021 Aqua Blue / Halloween Orange Galaxy Merge LP)
• Riverside - Out of Myself (2003,2021 Opaque White LP)
• Santana - Soul Sacrifice (2021,Green/White/Red Tricolored LP)
• Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan (1955,2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
• Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin' (2021, BN Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Sonny Clark - My Conception (1979,2021 BN Tone Poet LP)
• Spacehog - Resident Alien (1995,2021 Opaque Pink 2xLP)
• Steely Dan - Two Against Nature (2000, 2021 RSD 2xLP)
• Stick Figure - Smoke Stack (2009,2021 2xLP)
• Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (1994,2021 Walmart Exclusive Blue Splatter LP)
• The Sword - Age of Winters (2006,2021 Silver Embossed Cover + Purple Frost RSD LP)
• Talk Talk - It's My Life (1984,2021 Rhino SYEOR Translucent Purple LP)
• Tina Brooks - The Waiting Game (2002,2021 Blue Note Tone Poet LP)
• Tom Petty - Finding Wildflowers (Alternate Versions) (2020,2021 Indie Exclusive Gold 2xLP)
• Tony Joe White - Tony Joe White (1971,2021 Opaque White MOV LE Numbered LP)
• Toots & The Maytals - Funky Kingston (1975,2021 Split Opaque Blue/White RSD LP)
• Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe: 5.1 Mix (The Ultimate Version) (2021,BDA)
• Trouble - Trouble (1990,2021 "Green on Beer Haze" Translucent RM LP)
• Trouble - Manic Frustration (1992,2021 "Bone on Blue" Opaque RM LP)
• Velvet Fogg - Velvet Fogg (1969,2021 Purple MOV LP)
• Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil (1966,2021 Blue Note Classic Vinyl LP)
• Wayne Shorter - The All Seeing Eye (1966,2021 BN Tone Poet LP)

Hmm. maybe after a few more spins...

• Bobbi Humphrey - Fancy Dancer (2021 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Cheap Trick - In Another World (2021,Blue/White Splatter Indie LP)
• Chris Cornell - No One Sings Like You Anymore (2020,Target Neon Orange LP)
• Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight (2021, Target Exclusive LP)
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - L.W. (2021)*
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Butterfly 3000 (2021 "Blue Butterfly" LP)
• Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over the Country Club (2021 Target Exclusive Red LP)
• Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham (2021,Amazon Exclusive Blue LP)
• Lucinda Williams - Runnin' Down a Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty (2020,2xLP)

Reviewing

• Abba - Voyage (2021,Amazon Exclusive Orange LP)
• Abba - Voyage (2021 Target Exclusive Yellow LP w/alternative artwork)
• Aesop Rock - Labor Days (2021,Amber LP)
• All Them Witches - Lightning at the Door (2021 Green/Purple/Silver Swirl LP)
• Art Blakey - First Flight To Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings (2021,2xLP)
• Art Blakey - The Big Beat (2021 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Beachwood Sparks - Beachwood Sparks (2021 20th Anniversary LEx500 LP)
• Blacktop Mojo - Blacktop Mojo (2021 LP)
• Charles Lloyd & The Marvels - Tone Poem (2021 Blue Note Tone Poet 2xLP)
• Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Study in Brown (1955,2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
• Dead Daisies - Holy Ground (2021, Purple Translucent 2xLP)
• Death - Human (2021 Gold/Brown Splatter LP)
• Death - The Sound of Perserverence (2021 Red/Orange Splatter 2xLP)
• Death - Spiritual Healing (2021 Blue/White Splatter LP)
• Death - Individual Thought Patterns (2021 LP)
• Death - Scream Bloody Gore (2021 Splatter LP)
• Duke Pearson - Merry Ole Soul (2021 BN Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch (2021 BN Classic LP)
• Go-Go's - God Bless The Go-Go's (2001,2021 Opaque Blue LP)
• Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree (2008,2021 Yellow LP)
• Haken - Affinity (2016,2021 RE Neon Yellow 2xLP)
• Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage (2021 BN Classic LP)
• Horace Silver - 6 Pieces of Silver (2021 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Jethro Tull - A (2021 Steven Wilson Remix LP)
• Kiss - Kissworld (2021 Walmart Exclusve Red Swirl 2xLP)
• Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters (2021 LP)
• Lonnie Smith - Breathe (2021 2xLP)
• Marillion - Marbles (2021 3xLP Gatefold Reissue)
• McCoy Tyner - Expansions (1970,2021 BN Tone Poet Series LP)
• Metallica - Master of Puppets (1986,2021 Walmart Exclusive "Battery Brick" LP)
• Metallica - Ride the Lightning (1984,2021 Walmart Exclusive "Electric Blue" LP)
• Metallica - ...And Justice For All (1988,2021 Walmart Exclusive "Dyers Green" 2xLP)
• Metallica - Metallica (1991,2021 Walmart Exclusive "Some Blacker Marbled" 2xLP)
• Metallica - Kill 'Em All (1983,2021 Walmart Exclusive "Jump in the Fire Engine Red" LP)
• Metallica - Hardwired...To Self Destruct (2016,2021 Walmart Exclusive "Flame Orange" 2xLP)
• Monolord - Your Time to Shine (2021, Opaque Green LP)
• Motley Crue - Greatest Hits (1998,2021 Walmart Crimson Swirl 2xLP)
• My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves (2021 "Golden Smoke" 2xLP)
• Nirvana - Nevermind (2021 30th Anniversary LP)
• Of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins (2021 Red/Orange Swirl 2xLP)
• Phish - LP on LP1 (2021, Blue Splatter LP)
• Phish - LP on LP2 (2021, Magenta LP)
• Phish - Joy (2021, Red/Purple/Blue Swirl 2xLP)
• Pixies - Trompe le Monde (2021 Opaque Marble Green LP)
• The Pretty Reckless - Death By Rock 'n Roll (2021, 2xLP)
• Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe: The Breath of Life (2021,2xLP)
• Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (2021,Indie Exclusive Blue 3xLP)
• Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1972,2021 Target Exclusive Green LP)
• World Party - Goodbye Jumbo (2021 LP) 8/06
• YOB - The Illusion of Motion (2004,2021 2xLP Blue & Orange "Propeller" 2xLP)
• YOB - The Unreal Never Lived (2005,2021 White Blue & Grey Marble 2xLP)

Top 10 2021 Favorite New Releases TBD

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Top 10 2021 Favorite Reissues TBD

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Best Sound (Nice Pressing + Great Mastering = Sublime Sound)

• Andrew Lloyd Webber - Jesus Christ Superstar (1970,2021 ARS RM 2xLP)
• Chevelle - Niratias (2021,LP)
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram - 662 (2021,Purple LP)
• Jimmy Buffett - Songs You Don't Know By Heart (2020,2021 2xLP)
• Liquid Tension Experiment - LTE3 (2021,Orange 2xLP)
• Metallica - Metallica (1991,2021 Bob Ludwig Remastered 2xLP)
• Red Fang - Murder the Mountains (2011,2021 Aqua Blue / Halloween Orange Galaxy Merge LP)
• The Muffs - The Muffs (1993,2021 LP)
• The Pineapple Thief - Nothing But the Truth (2021,2xLP)
• Thunder - All the Right Noises (2021,Blue & Orange Galaxy 2xLP)
• Tom Petty - Finding Wildflowers (Alternate Versions) (2020,2021 Indie Exclusive Gold 2xLP)
• Trouble - Trouble (1990,2021 "Green on Beer Haze" Translucent RM LP)
• Trouble - Manic Frustration (1992,2021 "Bone on Blue" Opaque RM LP)

Special note: 2021 Blue Note Tone Poet and Classic Vinyl series of vintage jazz recordings mastered by Kevin Gray. These all-analog pressings are manufactured at RTI and are reliably flat and quiet.

Favorite 4.0 / 5.1 Multichannel

• Gentle Giant - Free Hand (2021 Steven Wilson 5.1/Stereo Mix CD+Blu-ray)
• Steven Wilson - The Future Bites (2021,5.1 Blu-ray)

Favorite Color Vinyl

• Can - Future Days (1973,2021 Mottled Gold LP)
• Ghost - Prequelle (2018,2021 Metallic Gold LP)
• Marilyn Monroe - The Essential Masters (2021 Pink/Black Splatter LP)
• Midnight - Sweet Death & Ecstasy (2017,2021 Green/Red Swirl LP)
• Moe. - Just Normal (2020, 2021 Red/Green/Orange Splatter EP)
• Monolord - I'm Staying Home (2021 Blue/Orange Pinwheel Splatter LEx235 12" Single)
• Motley Crue - Greatest Hits (1998,2021 Walmart Crimson Swirl 2xLP)
• of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins (2005,2021 Deluxe Orange/Red Swirl 2xLP)
• Red Fang - Arrows (2021, Neon Yellow with Neon Magenta Splatter LP)
• Santana - Soul Sacrifice (2021,Red/White/Green "Mexico" Opaque Tricolor LP)
• Stick Figure - Smoke Stack (2009,2021 Smoke Green Marble 2xLP)
• Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (1994,2021 Walmart Exclusive Blue Splatter LP)
• The Sword - Age of Winters (2006,2021 "Purple Frost" RSD LP)
• Toots & The Maytals - Funky Kingston (1975,2021 Split Opaque Blue/White RSD LP)
• YOB - The Illusion of Motion (2004,2021 2xLP Blue & Orange "Propeller" 2xLP)

Favorite Cover Art

• Accept - Too Mean to Die (2021)
• Black Keys - Delta Kream (2021)
• Chevelle - Niratias (2021)
• Dead Daisies - Holy Ground (2021)
• Dispatch - Break Our Fall (2021)*
• Elton John - Regimental Sgt. Zippo (2021,1967 Archival RSD LP)
• Gentleman's Dub Club - Down to Earth (2021 LP)
• Guasones ‎– Toro Rojo (2021,LP)
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland (2017,2021 Fuzz Club Cover LP)
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Butterfly 3000 (2021 Color LP)
• Marilyn Monroe - The Essential Masters (2021)
• Marillion - Marbles (2004,2021 3xLP)
• Midnight - Sweet Death & Ecstasy (2017,2021 Green/Red Swirl LP)
• Monolord - I'm Staying Home (2021)
• Monolord - Rust (2017,2021 LEx100 Purple 2xLP)
• Pat Metheny - Road to the Sun (2021)*
• Santana - Soul Sacrifice (2021)
• Shire T - Tomorrow's People (2021)*
• Southern Avenue - Be the Love You Want (2021, LP)
• Stoner - Stoner's Rule (2021)*
• The Sword - Age of Winters (2006,2021 Silver Embossed Cover + Purple RSD LP)
• Thunder - All the Right Noises (2021)
• Tom Morello - The Atlas Underground Fire (2021)
• Toots & The Maytals - Funky Kingston (1975,2021 LP)
• Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (2021)
• Velvet Fogg - Velvet Fogg (1969,2021 LP)
• Willie Nelson - That's Life (2021)

Worst Cover Art

• Bangles - Doll Revolution (2003,2021 LP)
• Go-Go's - God Bless The Go-Go's (2001,2021 LP)
• Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over the Country Club (2021,Original LP)
• Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham (2021,LP) - including back cover dust!
• Monolord - Your Time to Shine (2021,LP)
• Steven Wilson - The Future Bites (2021)

Presentation Standouts

• Curtis Mayfield - Roots (1971,2021 Pink/Orange Double Gatefold LP)
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland (2021 Fuzz Club Electric Blue LP)
• Monolord - I'm Staying Home (2021 Pinwheel Splatter LEx235 12" Single Poster Cover)
• Pretty Reckless - Death By Rock 'n Roll (2021, Pink Gatefold 2xLP+CD+Booklet)
• Thunder - All the Right Noises (2021,Blue & Orange Galaxy 2xLP w/Pop-up Gatefold)

Special note: All of the 2021 Blue Note Tone Poet Series of vintage jazz recordings.

Presented on high-quality laminated Stoughton "Tip-On" gatefold jackets printed on heavy card stock.

Eluding Capture

• Bevis Frond - Little Eden (2021,Blue 2xLP)
• Clutch - Blast Tyrant (2004,2021 Deluxe Signed Edition "Color" 2xLP)
• Donald Byrd - Places and Spaces (2021 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP)
• Paul McCartney - III (2020, Barnes & Noble Exclusive Blue LP)
• Wo Fat - Psychedelonaut (2009,2021 RE LP)

Still Considering...

• Band of Spice - By The Corner of Tomorrow (2021)
• Beths - Future Me Hates Me (2021 RE Cloudy Grape LP)
• Bill Withers - Greatest Hits (1981,2021 Target Exclusive Yellow LP)
• Crowded House - Dreamers Are Waiting (2021 LP)
• Fu Manchu - The Action is Go (2021 Green/Blue + 7" Deluxe 2xLP)
• Gentle Giant - Free Hand (2021 Steven Wilson Mix Red LP)
• George Russell - New York, NY (1959,2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds LP)
• Jim Croce - Photographs & Memories (2021 Walmart Exclusive Red LP)
• John Prine - Storm Windows (2021 Rhino SYEOR LP)
• John Prine - Pink Cadillac (2021 Rhino SYEOR LP)
• John Prine - Bruised Orange (2021 Rhino SYEOR LP)
• Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime (2021 Purple LP)
• Oliver Nelson - The Blues and Abstract Truth (2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
• Rebelution - In the Moment (2021 LP)
• Sonny Rollins - On Impulse! (2021 Verve Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
• Various - Fawlty Towers Box (2021,White 6xLP + Booklet + Signed Cleese Print)
• White Denim - World as a Waiting Room (2021,LP)
• Widespread Panic - Sunday Show: The Capitol Theatre 3/24/19 (2021 5xLP Box Set)

Amazon Pre-Order Cancellations

• Clutch - Blast Tyrant (2004,2021 Deluxe Signed Edition "Color" 2xLP)
• Phish - Lawn Boy (2021 Green Swirl 2xLP)
• Wo Fat - Psychedelonaut (2009,2021 RE LP)

Amazon is increasingly not able to fulfill my vinyl pre-orders, much to my frustration. When Amazon cancels at the last-minute, it is sometimes too late for me to find a given release elsewhere as popular releases are quickly sold out. For limited edition "must have" releases, I have recently switched to other vendors as Amazon has become too unreliable and "untrustworthy" for my vinyl pre-orders. I like ordering from Amazon for a couple of reasons, 1) easy returns for damaged in transit records, and 2) not charging my card until shipment. Returns are usually a hassle with other vendors in my experience. In addition, too many stores want my money up front, which I am uncomfortable doing 3 to 6 months in advance of a release.

Disappointments

• Amy Grant - Heart in Motion (2021 LP)
  • Non-fill, static, pops and clicks throughout. Unlistenable. Returned.
• The Coral - Coral Island (2021)*
• Counting Crows - Butter Miracle Suite One (2021)*
• Fantasy - Paint a Picture (2021 Red Gatefold LEx200 LP)
  • Poor quality reissue. Noisy, static throughout, low volume.
• Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (2021 Target Exclusive Gold LP)
  • Gold vinyl not as artist's rendition. Flat color and lifeless.
• Monster Magnet - A Better Dystopia (2021 2xLP)
• Red Fang - Arrows (2021,LP)
  • Terrible mastering. Should have returned.
• Royal Blood - Typhoons (2021,Indie Exclusive Curacao Blue LP)

Bad Pressings and Other Annoyances money wasted...

• Airbag - Identity (2009,2021 "Deluxe" White 2xLP)
  • Yet another expensive POS pressing from Karisma. Utter noisefest. No gatefold or other special features and they call it a "deluxe" version? Shame on you Karisma. Currently my least favorite label on the planet. I wish the band would insist on better pressings.
• Al Stewart - Year of the Cat (2021 CD/DVD-A 5.1 45th Anniversary Box Set)
  • no 5.1 lossless option and parson's mix lacks discrete surround channel use.
  • will not pre-order the 5.1 Time Passages set until the reviews are in.
• Pat Benatar - Icon (2013,2021 Walmart Exclusive Blue LP)
  • poorly mastered. sounds like mp3s. sigh. will hesitate on future icon series.
• Curtis Mayfield - Superfly (1972,2021 Rhino SYEOR Red LP)
  • noisy pressing (my copy). surprising for a rhino release.
• Seether - The Very Best of Seether (2021 Walmart Exclusive Brown LP)*
  • censored by walmart. has dropouts as a result. didn't buy based on reviews.
• Ghost - Meliora (2021 Zia Exclusive "Root Beer" LP)
  • noisy pressing (my copy). another loma vista mess. when will I learn?
• Ghost - Prequelle (2019,2021 Zia Exclusive "Zombie Brain" LEx500 LP)
  • zia not listing the label on its pre-order. assuming loma vista. sadly, avoided.
• Hall & Oates - Rock 'N Soul Part 1 (1983,2021 Walmart Opaque Red LP)
  • decent mastering, but the pops and clicks throughout make it a waste of time.
• Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue (1963,2021 BN Classic Vinyl Series LP)
  • My first Blue Note remaster that sounds terrible. Horrible non-fill throughout side A. Returning for a replacement and crossing my fingers. Update: Replacement sounds great!
• Kenny Rogers - 21 Greatest Hits (2020 Walmart Exclusive Gold 2xLP)
  • flat and quiet pressing but lifeless mastering leaves me a bit underwhelmed.
• Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over the Country Club (2021 Target Exclusive Red LP)
  • not enough like NFR! for me, despite the comparisons. mostly acapella with less captivating music. Many quiet passages and noisy vinyl add to the frustration.
• Nirvana - Bleach (1989,2021 Smoky Clear Walmart Exclusive LP)
  • this went up for sale at Walmart.com in April for one day before being inexplicably removed. Pre-order abruptly cancelled.
• Red Fang - Arrows (2021,Neon Yellow Magenta Splatter LP)
  • candidate for worst mastering of the decade. flat, muted, compressed. the album has potential, but awful sound ruins it.
• Stick Figure - Smoke Stack (2009,2021 Smoke Green Marble 2xLP)
  • nice mastering, but distortion, sibilance and non-fill spoil the fun.
• Toots & The Maytals - Pressure Drop-Golden Tracks (2011,2020 LP)
  • noisy pressing (my copy). so noisy I didn't play side b. wasted $$

Special Mention - bad customer service in 2021 still being blamed on covid.

In Memorium 2021

• Astro (UB40)
• B.B. Dickerson (War)
• B.J. Thomas
• Bunny Wailer
• Charlie Black
• Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
• Chick Corea
• Danny Ray (James Brown emcee / hype man)
• Dave Frishberg (Schoolhouse Rock)
• Don Everly
• Dusty Hill (ZZ Top)
• George Frayne (Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen)
• Gerry Marsden (Gerry & The Pacemakers)
• Graeme Edge (The Moody Blues)
• Hilton Valentine (The Animals)
• J.D.Crowe (Bluegrass banjoist)
• James Burke (The Five Stairsteps)
• Jay Black (Jay and The Americans)
• Jerry Granelli (Vince Guaraldi Trio drummer)
• Johnny Ventura
• Lee "Scratch" Perry
• Leonard Hubbard (The Roots)
• Les McKeown (Bay City Rollers)
• Lloyd Price
• Dr. Lonnie Smith
• Lou Ottens (Inventor of the cassette tape)
• Mary Wilson (The Supremes)
• Michael Nesmith (The Monkees)
• Paddy Maloney (The Chieftains)
• Pat Martino
• Paul Cotton (Poco)
• Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock's bassist)
• Pervis Staples (The Staples Singers)
• Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
• Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie)
• Robby Steinhardt (Kansas)
• Ronnie Tutt (Drummer)
• Rusty Young (Poco)
• Sonny Osborne (Bluegrass musician)
• Stephen Sondheim (Broadway)
• Stonewall Jackson
• Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls)
• Tim Bogart (Cactus,Vanilla Fudge)
• Tom Stevens (Long Ryders)
• Tom T. Hall
• U-Roy
• Vicente Fernández
• Wanda Young (Marvelettes)