As much as I love this album I have a terrible issue with it. The sound quality is fantastic when it's not washed out in static. My all three sides look as if they're covered in dust that I can't get off. The static on every side is horrendous, I thought there was something wrong with my setup but there was just dust caked on the stylus - took me a good 20 minutes to get it all off. I bought it brand new from HMV in Cardiff. Anyone else have similar issues?

I picked up a copy at my local record store -- in California-- and although the packaging is excellent and the vinyl looked clean, all sides are littered with excessive surface noise. You'll hear it between tracks and wherever there is a quiet passage. I've already cleaned it twice-- not much improvement. I've just ordered the deluxe version-- hoping the Pallas pressing was done better than this (usually this is the case).

I agree with a lot of what the guy below me says. Really cool album overall. To anyone (like myself) wishing for a ...Like Clockwork version 2.0 you will probably be confused at first. It sounds nothing like it, not even in the slightest. It has won me over with a few listens though and I'm really digging it now, they really can't do anything wrong. It honestly sounds like carnival music or something wacky like that to me at certain points, its absolutely wild. Head Like A Haunted House is insane, definitely worth a look. They always have so many layers in their music so it sounds great on vinyl.

So, I bought this in the US, but apparently it's the European version...? Anyway, this is the one I have. 2 records (standard weight), gatefold, lyric insert, download code, and the etching of the various "villains" on the D side. And the same hype sticker on the front. I wasn't able to get the "indie" version at my local independent store, so I got this. The only difference is a blue cover with the devil flipping you off, but it will no doubt go for insane amounts of money here and on ebay.Sound quality wise, it's good. Chris Bellman did a nice cut of this. Everything comes through, nothing seems overbearing or fatiguing. It's loud (but not too loud), punchy, and clear. However, I feel that being this album is only 48 minutes long, this could have been a single disc. I'm over the whole "special etching on one side" deal. Just gives companies an excuse to press another disc to make records more expensive. And the etching isn't even that interesting. And it's just barely visible (at least mine is).Also, both discs are pressed off-center. Not horribly, but it's noticeable. Record 1 is the worst of the set, however. Edge warp that affects side A, and vinyl isn't as quiet as it should be. Also, throughout side A, there's an audible "thud" in the record every revolution (only noticeable in quiet spots, but it's there). It's not my turntable or receiver, and it only does it on side A. There is nothing on the vinyl. Was the stamper for side A defective? Did something happen during pressing? Who knows. Record 2 is mostly OK.Both records do play through, though. But for almost $30, I expected better. Matador Records, are you listening?Musically, it's pretty much what we've come to expect from Queens - crunchy, groove-driven hard rock. I was worried when I saw Mark Ronson produced this - nothing against him, just never pictured him producing a QOTSA album - and when I heard the album was inspired by Josh Homme's love of...dancing? But no need to fear. Solid album with more than a few good songs. Sure, it's not the debut or "Rated R", but it's the closest thing we may have to rock 'n' roll these days.

Unless it specifically says "Import" somewhere on the record sleeve, Australia will always get the Europe/UK release, not the US. Which is a good thing as European pressings are invariably better than their US counterparts'.

Yo! It's possible you would find either country's version out there as different stores have different suppliers. If i order from JB Hi-Fi I tend to receive the European releases, but that's only in my experience, results may vary! I reckon if there's no Aussie release listed above, there's a good chance you might end up with either, so check the deets right here to confirm your copy!PS: Big DOOM fan too, nice.

Yes, I understand that, but I have heard records which exceed 20 minutes a side that sound fine, and some that are under 20 minutes a side that sound horrible. Depends on the cutting (mastering) engineer, and the source material they're given. Considering there are a few songs on this album that have some quieter spots in them (the buildup in the opening track is a perfect example), I feel they could have fit 24 minutes (half the album) on each side and not sacrificed much (if any) quality.

Yes, it has the Optimal pressing info in the deadwax.

As you exceed the recommended 18 minutes per side for a record, you start to lose sound quality. I'd rather have it cut across 3 sides for this reason as it makes the most of the source it is cut from and makes it potentially more dynamic.

Just curious because you did not mention it explicitly while mentioning other details: does your copy have the Optimal Media string BH80532 in the runout? I did not notice my Optimal Media copy being pressed off-center. Usually it is the complete batch that's why I'm wondering if you might have the U.S. Villains? Thank you!

This might be a stupid question so i apologise in advance, but what copies do they send to Australia? do they get their own specific pressings or do we get US, Europe Etc?. Thanks