Steppenwolf – Steppenwolf

Inferior to the MOV pressing imo.

I do wish the AP33 would come back in print!!

While the rest of Steppenwolf's catalog has never really done much for me, I love their debut album. Tight, incisive psychedelic blues rock, and one great song after another. This is a 1968 stereo pressing, a couple of the songs are a bit lacking in the low end, but for the most part this sounds really nice. I got lucky and found a really nice copy for three bucks, this is easily VG+ with just a trace of occasional faint surface noise. Good stuff.

My copy in hand is mispress - Mono labels on both sides has stereo tracks on side 1 and A-1 in deadwax; and mono tracks on side 2 with B in deadwax.

The debut album “Steppenwolf” by the eponymous band, released in 1968, is a landmark in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Particularly noteworthy is the 1969 vinyl version, which captures the authentic sound of that era and conveys the raw energy of the music in a way that digital formats struggle to match.

From the outset, the classic “Born to Be Wild” stands out, not just as an influential rock song, but also as an anthem of the counterculture. The gravelly voice of John Kay, backed by driving guitar riffs and a solid rhythm section, immediately transports the listener back to the late 60s. The vinyl edition adds an extra warmth and depth to the track, enhancing the rebellious atmosphere.

However, the album offers more than just this one hit. Songs like “The Pusher” address controversial subjects such as drug abuse with a directness and honesty that was unusual for the time. The vinyl version underscores the emotional nuances of these tracks, from the desperation in Kay’s voice to the surreal sound of the harmonica.

Every cut on the album benefits from the analog playback. The vinyl version provides a wealth of details, from the subtle nuances of the instrumentation to the spatial positioning of the sounds, making the listening experience immersive.

In conclusion, the 1969 vinyl version of “Steppenwolf” is a triumphant example of how the medium can enhance the message. It not only captures the revolutionary essence of the album but also delivers a listening experience that transports listeners both temporally and emotionally to an entirely different era.

Fold down mono mix, as others are saying, and not the best sounding one either. Kind of grainy and boring compared with the original stereo pressing. The entire mono Steppenwolf ordeal has always confused me. Why would they spend the time to make a true mono mix, only to not use it at all in favor of a stereo fold down, and why/how did the tape end up in the UK?

Who cut this, if anyone?‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Overall, a really nice reissue. Don't normally like colored vinyl but the orange 140 gram vinyl is really quiet and the mastering is really clean with some nice bass. I don't have an original to compare it to but I am really happy with this one.

Sound and cover quality are catastrophically bad. it's flat and even the smallest crack or pop can be heard. But still. this is such an adorable little pressing. i love it.

This is a weird release, it perfectly syncs with the MFSL release of this album. The spectrograph also indicates, that the MFSL Release was mastered using a PCM 1610/1630 from the 80's. So either this is sourced from the MFSL CD with mild EQ adjustments, or MFSL used an earlier release for their CD. I don't have an earlier Steppenwolf CD to compare it to the MFSL or this CD unfortunately.

This is a great pressing. My VG+ copy was saved from a trip to the dump.
These songs come alive here, especially the fine work of Rushton Moreve.