Tom Waits – Mule Variations

Oddly enough, I got this by accident. The seller had this as the RSD copy. To my surprise when I checked the matrix number I realized it was this pressing. It sounds great. I get some pops here and there, but nothing too bad. Bellman did an amazing job mastering.

I think this is the one I just got - on red/maroon vinyl.

Some have mentioned some warping, but mine is not. The sound of the pressing is great, but there are noticeable crackling sounds here and there even after a good cleaning. Honestly, though, the crackling kind of adds to the album, and doesn't take away from the songs, but would rather not have the crackling at all.

Manufacturing process seems sloppy. Label on crooked on side one. A nasty looking scuff mark on last song of side one. Slight warp (not enough to affect play). Dust and residue. Cover is nice with plastic lined inner sleeves. Mastering seems good. Just wish they'd taken more care pressing the vinyl.

This sounds fantastic - vivid and swampy, heartfelt and gritty, dead silent discs.

Does anybody know where this version was pressed, if not at QRP like the other 2018 version was? https://www.discogs.com/release/15304444-Tom-Waits-Mule-Variations

Great recording my side 2 and side 4 suffers from the noise. Sounds almost like a crushed groove static. the noise is not
Consistent pops in and out like a mark but not with any pattern. Tom is really all about these sounding great surprises there was not a recall

No noise on my copy at all - sounds beautiful.

Just got a copy with runouts that don’t match any listed pressing here - etching includes artist and title as well as “FURNACE” and a signature. Any ideas what I’m holding? It sounds great, so I’m happy…

Pressed by QRP one of the top pressing plant worldwide. Sound is plain full and zero surface noise. Very nice work.