Queens Of The Stone Age – Era Vulgaris

I will have to agree with the other comments that the mix is muddy in a lot of songs and that the volume is way too low. Still, I had to get one of my favorite QotSA albums on vinyl. Let's hope they eventually reissue in 2 LPs with the bonus tracks.

Not their best album by any stretch, but I think this pressing does it enough justice. There does seem to be some variance in quality across the board - I was lucky to get a copy without any actual issues. Compared to the recent reissue of Songs for the Deaf, it was a little disappointing that this one wasn't as dynamic. It's better than digital versions for sure, but it's nothing too stellar, either.

Hard to describe this pressing, I think a lot of the early reviews were caught up in the hype because it definitely doesn't sound as good as it should. It lacks a definitive low end, songs like Turnin on the Screw and Misfit Love should have a real punch to them but they sound a bit washed out.

The placing of Running Joke is interesting to me, always thought it was kinda weird to have Misfit Love and Battery Acid back to back since they're both quite "weird" songs, definitely breaks the album up a bit more. Battery Acid is a great B side opener.

Edit (after owning this record over a year):

Since then I have acquired other records from this era such as RATM - Renegades, The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth, Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See and some later Linkin Park reissues.

This reissue of Era Vulgaris sounds MUCH better in of both mix and mastering. I can’t believe how less brickwalled this record is compared to the other ones I have mentioned above.

I have also upgraded to a microline stylus and boy that brings out much more life out of this reissue since the grooves are so crammed (due to lot of music on one discs). Not to exaggerate things here, but at the right volume, I can hear subtle details I have never heard before (synth textures, ing notes on bass and vocal harmonies). The drum, however, still suffers due to how buried it is.

- - - x - - -

Not much to add aside from what few others have already mentioned about muddy mix and overall compressed sound. I almost thought something was wrong with my preamp or stylus. I own all their 2019 reissues and can confirm this is the weakest one. The sound stays within the speaker (as opposed to coming out of it and making it feel large and dynamic). There is really no difference between listening to this on HiFi streaming vs on vinyl.

While it is one of the weakest sounding record I own, as a piece of artwork, this is one of the best QOTSA albums IMO. Their “dying robot funky heavy groove” sound is unlike anything I have heard and having this piece of art in my collection makes me happy.

I agree with Queens Of The Stone Age - R are very much clearer, more dynamic, powerful, lively and punchy. A completely different listening experience towards this "soundsoup"!

I bought all four re-releases from the same store in 2019. Don't have a shrinkwrap anymore which (maybe) stamped with manufacturing country, but matrix says BG (because of the differences in quality by manufacturing country poland or , discussed here: Queens Of The Stone Age - R. I'm assuming there were no stickers on them, otherwise I kept the wraps.

So maybe this sound is intended, don't know. But but in the end it remains my worst sounding QOTSA record. Nevertheless, the artwork is great and its workmanship also appears to be of high quality.

My copy came with the shrinkwrap stamped with "Made in Poland" on the back. The overall output volume is low (pushed it 5db up compared to my average) , upside : good quality of sound even close to the center, downside : clicks and pops stand out more. Mix sounds quite "in a box" but can't say if it's intended or a flaw of this pressing... Had a good time listening to it, though.

Love the pressing, fantastic sound. Artwork is fun and very vibrant. Reminds me of why I fell in love with QOTSA. Sounds better than the digital versions I was used to hearing.

Great pressing but why didn’t they include Fun Machine and Era Vulgaris on this reissue. Such a missed opportunity, especially since these are some of the best tracks from this era.

Lol bought a copy of this to replace my double 10" with the labels pressed over the runouts, and lo and behold, my copy has a second label on side A which is pressed into the runout.

When Era Vulgaris was released I wasn‘t a big fan of this album. I guess with this pressing the music started to breath the first time in my listening room. The pressing is a killer, deep sounds with a huge load of power. Bernie Grundman did a really great job here. Splendid reissue!