Pressing Shootout: The Mars Volta- De-Loused in the Comatorium

Today I'm talking about the available vinyl pressings of this prog rock masterpiece by the Mars Volta.
Check out this excellent video on the band's early years by Lie Likes Music: • Understanding The Mars...
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Buy the album on CD:
amzn.to/3nYW7xa
Clouds Hill/Mars Volta reissues in stock/available on amazon:
Landscape Tantrums: amzn.to/3AxC4uS
Tremulant: amzn.to/3IJuRL9
Some inner sleeves I use and recommend:
amzn.to/3KJEuLl
amzn.to/3H2HlNf
Outer sleeves I use and recommend:
amzn.to/3H52Ixp
amzn.to/3IEqFfC

[@mlblue5355]

Yes, you’re right, you said the key word “Loudness”. There’s an option when getting a vinyl record pressed, you can use the loudness option. It’s basically the “Loudness Wars” that was on CDs. The pressing plants suggest not to use this, but it seems many artist do. I chose not to use it.

[@143GADGETS]

Love the Harbeths! I made a similar move as you. I had Kef R3 -> Harbeth P3ESR -> Harbeth 30.2 Anniversary. Using Focal now. Thanks for all the info on the Mars Volta album.

[@exittiming2789]

Thank you for the great commentary on this milestone record. I wish you would’ve included the VMP pressing as well, although your review was still informative and interesting

[@poetryonplastic]

Don’t have it to compare, but it’s the same mastering as the black clouds hill, but pressed on colored vinyl at a slightly inferior pressing plant (GZ). For that reason, while there might not be a huge difference in sound quality, it’s probably a bit noisier on average.

[@V1ZNS.]

@@poetryonplastic VMP was $20 less expensive and does have a tip-on jacket. Just something else to throw in the mix.

[@Kevin_Hanrahan]

Great video! Thanks. It confirms for me that I need to continue my wait on this album. It has gotten seriously expensive and honestly if it’s only being sourced from digital, then there is no real impetus for my purchasing this with any urgency. I’ve had the CD since the week it came out and it can hold me over a while longer. It would be really lovely to think the tapes will be used for a full analogue treatment one day. Next year is the 20th… wishful thinking I know. Also, how depressing is it that it was twenty years ago! Feels like I only saw At The Drive-In a few years back. Time is a vicious mistress! Anyway thanks for the video. Just discovered the channel. 👍🏻

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks Michael for introducing me to this album. Looking forward to the journey. Nice overview and comparison ✌🏽

[@recorr]

"de loused ..." is the only Mars Volta album I really like (20 points in my rate app against 11 for Frances the mute, 5 for tremulant and only 4 for amputechture and bedlam ... the other are above 0 (just can be hear) and under 0 (no use to listen it)))

[@V1ZNS.]

I have the Vinyl Me Please pressing. Same mastering but pressed at GZ on gold and black vinyl.

[@exittiming2789]

My VMP pressing is shit

[@V1ZNS.]

@@exittiming2789 haha how so? mine sounds okay.

[@charlesgund4812]

The VMP pressing done at GZ is a lot noisier than the Optimal pressing. Even if you got a good one, they’re not the quietest…

[@rongreen1538]

Surely everything after the mid 80’s was recorded digitally? Interesting video never the less, thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@poetryonplastic]

Actually a lot of recording studios took a long time to make the switch over, and digital was still pretty expensive. A lot of great rock albums of the 90s and even the early 2000s were recorded on tape, especially bands outside of the big budget mainstream.

[@rongreen1538]

@@poetryonplastic Thank you, I never knew that.

[@bobsykes]

You have incredibly eclectic tastes. 🙏 Very informative review of the sound and history of the recordings.

[@thevinyltruffle]

When Mars Volta signed to their old record deal, Jimmy Iovine made a hand shake deal w Omar saying that he would control all of the vinyl releases in their catalogue. Now, I don’t know what was in the actual contract, Bu that’s why when MOV released Deloused, Omar flipped out.

[@poetryonplastic]

Ah I remember reading something about that a while back! Yes if true the label did them dirty, but that’s not the fault of Music on Vinyl, I’m sure all they knew was that they were licensing a reissue.

[@dandevvers]

Not long before the box set was released, I managed to buy a copy of the GSL pressing ……. and it’s awful. I understand that some people might like it as a collectors item but I ended up selling it after the CH box set was released. The recent VMP release, whilst the pressing isn’t great, the tip-on jacket is on point!!

[@mbayaq]

@poetryonplastic love your videos! Been watching you for many years. Did you manage to find a copy of the Clouds Hills release that wasn't warped? I've gone through 3 and they all are.

[@celmo4262]

Michael, a bit off topic but I'm wondering about the inner sleeves that you are recommending. I thought you preferred MoFi Master Sleeves. Any issues with those? Thanks.

[@MrLovell1971]

Great review Michael I always wondered about the pressings of the Mars Volta I dig the band I definitely going to seek out the new reissues De- Louse and Frances De Mute you did an awesome break down of the mastering engineers love it take care . Lovellandrew

[@poetryonplastic]

IMO the first three albums, De-Loused through Amputechture, are essential. The team of Jon Theodore, Ikey Owens, Omar, and Cedric were just unbeatable. Bedlam is good, but you can hear the threads starting to unravel. The last two are entirely forgettable.

[@MrLovell1971]

@@poetryonplastic thank great to know I’m definitely going to check those out and pick them up👍

[@charlesgund4812]

If you want to see if the MOV releases use the same metal parts as the GSL releases then the deadwax will provide that info. MoV usually have the same kind of generic matrix numbers for their own cuts, a bit like GZ etc, so are pretty identifiable if you have any other MoV pressings. If the MoV doesn’t have the GSL 75 A-B-C-D then not the same cut as it would need to have that stamper info which is on the GSL original picture disc. Also, I wouldn’t always go by what is on the jacket as this isn’t always accurate especially if they use the CD credits or artwork etc

[@poetryonplastic]

You're right I should have thought of that, the MOV does not have the GSL deadwax, it has MOV which means it was cut there. But it does carry the specific "mastered for vinyl by" credit. MOV are always good about cutting from legit (and usually hi res) sources, my guess is that they used the same digital master file that was used for cutting the original GSL pressing.

[@charlesgund4812]

@@poetryonplastic yeah it probably is a similar source and not much difference, but I would still bet on the MoV being slightly better sonically regardless of noise floor from the picture disc. I don’t think the original Mars Volta pressings were all that great to be honest. I heard similar bad things about Noctourniquet original press. The reissue of that sounds great and is underrated IMO. Thanks for the video anyway, would be great to hear more of your thoughts on different pressings of other titles.

[@northunionstation]

Still in print, but SOLD OUT! Bummer.

[@poetryonplastic]

I have a feeling it will get restocked this year.

[@northunionstation]

@@poetryonplastic I hope so, this album was one of my favorites back in college when it came out and I still revisit it frequently. With regards to absolute sound quality (setting aside the pleasing qualities of vinyl), which do you feel is a better medium for this album: CD or vinyl? Given the extreme dynamic range and fast tempos I would assume CD or some other high-res format. But curious on your take. Thanks for the content!

[@poetryonplastic]

@@northunionstation I prefer both vinyl copies to my cd copy. The openness especially on the new vinyl remaster let’s the instruments breathe and allows for more natural flow imo. By comparison the CD just feels like a wall of sound.

[@northunionstation]

@@poetryonplastic awesome. But way to make me feel even worse that it’s sold out, haha!

[@MoodyBlue42..]

I have a copy of Tin Machine 2 on MOV. I think their claim is, that they use the best possible sources ( Master or Safety) The tm2 sounds good and I think they do a decent job. Never heard of Mars Volta. Watching the footage, I was seeing Grand Funk Railroad but hearing King Crimson!! Thank you for turning me on to new/old music. I got to get out more often lol.

[@s.t.e.r.e.o.]

What about the VMP release?

[@s.t.e.r.e.o.]

nvr mind I see comments below

[@analoguecity3454]

Not to familiar with it, think I'll check it out through streaming if I like it I'll definitely buy the LP!

[@vmvlev]

glad you make this shootout but i have to agree with the band the ..MOV sounds not close to the og pic disc ... yes i know that blablabla about pic discs but there are some really good soundings out ther .. maybe just one or two hands full but this is one of them .. but we can all be happy with the clouds hill box and the single pressings because they sound alot better than any of the og albums on vinyl since all of them where released as digital mixes on vinyl .. just a note .. i dont belive at all that the new records are made at optimal media .. they look and feel exactly like GZ .. i want also point out that optimal media dont make records that thin and they also have a diffrent black shade .. hope you get that point ,, i guess you can tell whats an rti or not by looking at ... and i totaly agree with the sounds of the clouds hill version .. the organ could be more present but it play this record loud anyways ;-) good job .. and great to see you well up :-)

[@poetryonplastic]

I would be doubtful the band have heard the MOV release in any truly discernible setting (could be wrong though), you've heard the original picture disc?

[@vmvlev]

@@poetryonplastic yea i have the og and had the MOV and i think that the pic sounds better so i sold the mov .. but the new couds hill is better than both anyways .. did you get the deloused demo 12" too ? its really fun to listen .. its calld landscape tantrums

[@rodrigollanes7619]

Great Shootout! I love the album and only have the original CD and the VMP pressing. I know the VMP pressing was mastered at Soundgarden Tonstudio by Chris von Rautenkranz, but pressed at GZ. Have you heard or read anything about VMP edition? Do you think they sound very similar?

[@poetryonplastic]

Vinyl me please are generally good but in this case the combo of a special hazy color pressing + using GZ means it probably won’t sound as quiet or pure as the Pallas-pressed standard edition. That’s just my assumption, though.

[@exittiming2789]

The VMP pressing is an abomination and their customer service is abysmal. This record made me cancel my VMP subscription because of the known flaws in the record and the lack of VMP’s concern. This is a milestone record that deserved much better than VMP’s disastrous reissue. I would avoid the VMP pressing at all costs

[@charlesgund4812]

I had the VMP…it’s uses the same mastering but on atrociously noisy vinyl. Honestly, it’s a joke and the Clouds Hill I replaced it with was much quieter.

[@BillsBoxOfSound]

Too bad the vinyl is priced at $175 and up, and the CD sounds absolutely horrible. Nice work on the video though.

[@poetryonplastic]

This is not out of print, it will be available again soon I would guess. And you can definitely still pick it up on the secondary market under 100.

[@BillsBoxOfSound]

@@poetryonplastic I'll keep an eye out! Thanks.