Tom Waits – Bone Machine

What a complete disaster. Far, far too much noise, and not great mastering. What a hack job. Too bad, as it's a great album musically.

As other reviewers have pointed out, it's recorded at a low level so clean it, crank it, and enjoy great music but don't expect a great pressing. Needs four sides, too much music per side. Five star music on 2 - 2.5 vinyl.

This is extremely noisy even after cleaning. I agree with other reviewers that it's mastered way too low, but they did that to get it to fit on one LP. This was a huge mistake for this and Rain Dogs. The people that love this record would have gladly paid an extra 10 for a 2 LP set.

Mine is very quiet and does not sound good. Not just quiet, but badly mastered- dull and lifeless. I'm not sure if it's noisier than other vinyl or just you notice it more because you have to crank it so loud. This was in my top 5 albums I wished would be reissued and it is a big let down, unfortunately.

It's very sad that this wasn't mastered hot and loud. Like most folks here, I'm really put off by how quiet this record is. I think side 1 is far worse than side 2 in that regard, but if you compare it to the 2023 reissues of Swordfishtrombones or Franks Wild Years, it seems so pale and lifeless. Very sad :(

Exceptionally quiet mastering - I have to crank my stereo up nearly twice as loud as usual. Moderate surface noise on 1st play, after one spin clean. Pretty distracting at times. Hope it improves on repeat cleans/plays, we'll see. Gotta it, kinda disappointing after waiting all these years. Anyone happen to know where this was pressed? Definitely seems like a pressing plant/QC issue, as others have noted.

Similar sentiment of other reviews. Mastering is quiet, but sounds good on my system cranked up. Cleaned the lp but still some slight static/pops, but hoping that clears after a few spins. After waiting so long for an official repress I had hopes for a high quality 2lp with a heavy duty gatefold, however I’m still glad to have a copy and not fret about tracking down an og press and making sure it wasn’t a bootleg

It seems like this is hit and miss, but mine arrived yesterday and sounds great, albeit quiet. It is a shame they opted not to make it a double LP, but once you crank it up it sounds really warm and full. Everything sounds very well balanced; perfect for this record.

Warped like an actual dinner plate. What a huge disappointment.

Edit: also sounds horrendous. Tons of repetitive ticks, clicks and pops. Doesn't help that it's mastered way too quiet and you have to crank this to get any volume. So again I say, huge disappointment.

Mine is flat and centered. Still some noise after VPI cleaning. As the relative quietness of the vinyl suggests a digital step, I have to assume the semi-frequent pops are pressing-quality/QC issues. As others have reported, I have to turn this WAY up to hear it how I want to hear it. Far beyond any other record I play. Is this a negative? It feels like it, but I can’t articulate why. That said, the mastering is actually good, with a generous soundstage and decent separation. I would have loved Tom a little more present in the center (Black Wings is a notable exception), but it’s still pleasing. Owing to some of the unusual percussion and original aural intent (I assume) some sounds approach sibilance/harshness (e.g. All Stripped Down). With all that said, after 30 years listening on cassette and CD, I’m still happy with this.