Gang Of Four – Entertainment!

My copy has the 78428 cat# on the label but without the R1, all other identifiers the same. Anybody else got the same?

The facts are presented neutrally so that the public can make up it’s own mind.

I find this to be an excellent pressing. A clean, flat and quiet medium. The mix is dynamic with punch and energy.

When the toms came in on “Guns Before Butter”, I did one of those remove my headphones to see what my cats got into. Nope, just some high quality audio.

Almost certainly cut from the US copy tape that produced the excellent original pressing.
As it typical of McMasterings, this one is the brightest version available. Also as typical, the UK has the least high end energy. Using high end equipment with a fancy moving coil cartridge, I find this sounding a bit hard. Bear in mind the band used transistor amps on purpose so that may be true to the intent.

To my ears a punchy cut by Ron McMaster that maybe lacks a bit of high end on the guitars. Dunno what source he used but he still did a pretty good job here. Dont have an original but im happy with this, though ill still be on the lookout. Plus it has the full version of "I Found That Essence Rare".

EDIT: Tbh, idk wtf was I talking about this cut lacking high end. I have finally A/Bd this reissue against a UK original and guess what, the McMaster cut won. Its more shimmery and bright, detailed and holographic, while the UK og sounded veiled. A true "band in-the-room" type of feeling. This cut is faithful to the original sound and at the same time it sounds fresher than ever. Opinions like the one I made before were made based on the scorn this reissue had reading the comments below, but seriously, compare it for yourself.

EDIT 2: Finally having been able to do a comparison against a 1980 US pressing, the Rhino reissue is actually an almost exact match of that version. After volume matching the two I found that there's little to no difference in of dynamics, and no weird EQ going on, so I believe McMaster was given the US master tapes as a source. The only clear difference between the two is that on the US OG the bass is definitely boosted, while on the McMaster it's a bit more tamed but still kicking. In this case I prefer a little bit less bass even if it's post-punk we are talking about, since it feels more natural to me. On the OG every single time the snare gets hit on Ether it almost feels like a tom is getting hit, and its a bit off for my taste. Still, both share the exact same nuances in all other regards, be it soundstage, clarity, guitar shimmering, vocals, etc. Though maybe the Rhino has like a tinny bit more clarity depending which section of a song we are talking about, but that'd be absolute nitpicking. All in all, both are great and are the definitive pressings to own, you can rest assured that you won't lose with either.

My copy sounds good, not the best. Dynamics in the tone are solid. For the price, this is a good copy.

Horrific pressing. Super thin and shrill. A/Bed against a US 1980 pressing and was shocked. The 1980 version sounded so full and warm with the rhythm section huge against Gill's trebly guitar. Avoid at all costs. Get a better pressing.

My copy sounds lovely.
Wonderful album, too.

There may be oil.

Do other pressings have "Printed in Canada" on the spine, or do I have a different pressing? Thanks.

My copy of this is fine. No pressing issues. I don't have an original to compare with, but it sounds good to me.

I've gone through 3 copies of this pressing and none have been correct (one sealed but scratched, two pressed off center; the scratched one may have been off center but I didn't play it). I'd say avoid this pressing if possible.