Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie...

[Thing Fish]

The long awaited re-issue of Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness is due early December.

It's out on various formats but i'm only going to discuss the vinyl one here.

The remastered original album in 4LP Vinyl (as opposed to the original 3). It all comes housed in a 12 x 12 lift-top box with magnetic closure, reimagined cover art and velvet-lined disc holder. The package includes 2 books containing personal notes, lyrics, new collage artwork, plus a Decoupage kit for creating your own scenes from the Mellon Collie universe. The bonus content and special features were curated from the band's archives by Corgan, and have been remastered for the first time from the original master tapes by Bob Ludwig.

On Amazon and other various web sites it's availiable for pre-order for around the £150 mark but I just pre-ordered mine from Amazon.com for £50 which includes P&P. Link below. Sure you have to wait longer for it but you save £100 so what the hell.

http://www.amazon.com/Mellon-Infinite-Sadness-Smashing-Pumpkins/dp/B008Z9L94O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353218726&sr=8-1&keywords=smashing+pumpkins+vinyl

I'm not a massive fan of the Pumpkins but this particular album is really rather good and certainly worth £50 if not £150. Particulary when you see what the original release is going for second hand...!!!

[Macca]

What does the original go for Dave? I've got number 1825 of a limited edition run - don't know how many there were. Got it when it came out way back when. Totally mint. It is a good album but not as good as 'Siamese Dream' IMO.

[sparrow]

Its a great album.. might get the cd version.

[Thing Fish]

What does the original go for Dave? I've got number 1825 of a limited edition run - don't know how many there were. Got it when it came out way back when. Totally mint. It is a good album but not as good as 'Siamese Dream' IMO.

Hi Martin, I've seen it go for anywhere between £250 - £500 depending on condition.

I'll give you £50 for it...:eyebrows:

[Macca]

Hi Martin, I've seen it go for anywhere between £250 - £500 depending on condition.

I'll give you £50 for it...:eyebrows:

Condition is absolutely mintola! £500! Wow - that is worth more than the rest of my collection put together... don't recall what it cost me new but it was less than twenty quid.

[Thing Fish]

As it happens there is on one on ebay now with 4 days to go and it's already reached £200 with 13 bids (reserve not reached). He has a buy it now price of £499.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMASHING-PUMPKINS-MELLON-COLLIE-AND-THE-INFINITE-SADNESS-3LP-RARE-VINYL-CORGAN-/281021844430?pt=UK_Records&hash=item416e350bce

[johnB]

Thanks Dave a good spot. Ordered. Something to look forward to at end of December.....
I remember choosing to buy the cd version over the vinyl version of this in '95.

It's a great album but something of a marathon.

John

[Macca]

1995! That long ago huh? Good job I didn't buy a CD player until '96 :) Better investment than gold.

[Thing Fish]

My mellon collie vinyl box set was shipped yesterday for the total cost of £50. Happy days...:)

Saw it in HMV tonight for £150. Suckers...:lol:

[johnB]

I have "order despatched" note too but it won't arrive til about 2017 :)or something.....worth the wait though.

[Audioman]

Might have taken a punt but started reading the Amazon usa feedback. I think this may not undermine price of the original. Annoyed I came close to buying it at the time as I liked the cover. The reviews for once appear to come from people who know what they are talking about and refer to the vinyl.


I *really* don't like jumping on the grumpy audiophile bandwagon, but unfortunately I have to confirm that there are severe sound issues throughout the MCIS vinyl reissue. As most people have noted, the problem is most noticeable on "Zero", where the vocal seems like it was overcooked to compensate for thinness during the "emptiness is loneliness" part and then left that way throughout the rest of the song. (Apparently someone thought that those of us willing to spend $75 on a 17-year-old Pumpkins record don't already know that Billy Corgan has a thin voice.)

One theory I've heard is that the problem is actually a pressing error affecting sound closest to the center of the disc. I hear a biiiit of distortion on the drums toward the end of "To Forgive" but nothing as bad as "Zero" so I kind of doubt that this is the case, but I don't know much about vinyl pressing so I wouldn't know what to listen for. At any rate, while "Zero" is the worst of the lot, there is plenty of clipping, fluttering, and stereo weirdness to go around.

Don't get me wrong: I was not expecting perfection. MCIS has always sounded weird to me. It is clearly an album worked on by multiple producers and mixers in different studios under different conditions, leading to a ton of inconsistencies in volume and EQ. However, aside from a lot of the guitar sounds being a bit digital and warbly, I never felt that anything really sounded outright bad. Sadly, this version does.

At $75 a pop, there is really no excuse. I'm hoping it is a pressing plant issue, and that these are not the final masters Corgan signed off on. In any case, I'm returning my box tomorrow. It's a real shame because I've wanted this on vinyl for years

[johnB]

This album arrived today (finally) from Amazon USA.....the whole package is beautifully put together and feels somewhat opulent.....haven't tested the quality of the vinyl yet though.

[Thing Fish]

Glad you have received and like it. Personally I don't mind the wait. To save over £100 is well worth it.

Mine is due to arrive this Thursday...:)

[sparrow]

A few bad reports on this one. Would love it on Vinyl. too dear.