mikizee Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 My Bananagun LP turned up today. Was expecting a pretty poor pressing given it was pressed at Zenith, and at first inspection I was correct. Record had blemishes on both sides, a scratch on side B, and rough edge all the way around. Put it on the turntable and was pleasantly surprised, seems it was cut well, it sounded good. Vinyl wasn't the quietest, but no ticks or pops to speak of. Hopefully the quality still improves at Zenith and they continue doing business. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFCAD Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 30 minutes ago, mikizee said: My Bananagun LP turned up today. Was expecting a pretty poor pressing given it was pressed at Zenith, and at first inspection I was correct. Record had blemishes on both sides, a scratch on side B, and rough edge all the way around. Put it on the turntable and was pleasantly surprised, seems it was cut well, it sounded good. Vinyl wasn't the quietest, but no ticks or pops to speak of. Hopefully the quality still improves at Zenith and they continue doing business. This one does sound good. Zenith quality can be a bit random at times, but is generally better than it used to be. Every Zenith pressing that I have ended up with certainly benefits from a deep clean, more so than most other pressings. The difference in sound before/after clean can be quite dramatic at times. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyse1 Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 5 minutes ago, trailiya said: Report post Posted February 26, 2014 On 26/02/2014 at 11:11 AM, keyse1 said: Halfway are a Brisbane band Just released a new record Any Old Love Produced by Robert Forster of The Go-betweens My favourite Aussie band Byrds Flying Burrito Brothers Wilco type music What is that about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikizee Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 3 hours ago, AFCAD said: This one does sound good. Zenith quality can be a bit random at times, but is generally better than it used to be. Every Zenith pressing that I have ended up with certainly benefits from a deep clean, more so than most other pressings. The difference in sound before/after clean can be quite dramatic at times. I really must get an RCM. I’ve wanted one for years. The ultrasonic ones look pretty good. Going by Zenith’s Instagram. a new cutting engineer named Luke Yeoward took over last August, and it’s his name in the Bananagun deadwax. Could be a name to look out for. He did a fine job on this record. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceritual Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 38 minutes ago, mikizee said: Going by Zenith’s Instagram. a new cutting engineer named Luke Yeoward took over last August, and it’s his name in the Bananagun deadwax. Could be a name to look out for. He did a fine job on this record. It's a shame to have bad things to say about the only operational pressing plant in Australia, but here we are. Grimy records are one thing but they really need to get it together with aligning their stampers, there's gotta be some real wacky tolerances in how they're mounted/positioned. I've noticed this less with Anti Fade releases though, maybe Billy's a tough customer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikizee Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 9 hours ago, spaceritual said: It's a shame to have bad things to say about the only operational pressing plant in Australia, but here we are. Grimy records are one thing but they really need to get it together with aligning their stampers, there's gotta be some real wacky tolerances in how they're mounted/positioned. I've noticed this less with Anti Fade releases though, maybe Billy's a tough customer? I was watching the tonearm closely when I put the record on, expecting it to see it sway back and forth. Seems good though. Have you gotten some off centre pressings? To be honest I have avoided Zenith pressings like the plague the last 10 years or so, since I bought a copy of Hard Road Restrung and the pressing was so bad I sent Zenith a scathing email. Admittedly the owner wrote back straight away and shipped me another copy (which was equally as bad, but at least they tried to help). The only other Zenith pressing I have bought is About Face by #1 Dads, which came filthy and with the centre hole too small to fit on my turntable. I emailed Zenith and they told me to drill or file out the centre hole to make it bigger... and I thought 'f&#k these guys'. But at the same time I'd hate to see vinyl manufacturing leave Australia altogether, so we will just have to push Zenith to be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceritual Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) On 21/07/2020 at 8:59 AM, mikizee said: I was watching the tonearm closely when I put the record on, expecting it to see it sway back and forth. Seems good though. Have you gotten some off centre pressings? To be honest I have avoided Zenith pressings like the plague the last 10 years or so, since I bought a copy of Hard Road Restrung and the pressing was so bad I sent Zenith a scathing email. Admittedly the owner wrote back straight away and shipped me another copy (which was equally as bad, but at least they tried to help). The only other Zenith pressing I have bought is About Face by #1 Dads, which came filthy and with the centre hole too small to fit on my turntable. I emailed Zenith and they told me to drill or file out the centre hole to make it bigger... and I thought 'f&#k these guys'. But at the same time I'd hate to see vinyl manufacturing leave Australia altogether, so we will just have to push Zenith to be better. The guys running the place seemed pretty knowledgeable and easy to talk to, but yeah off-centre pressings I've found quite common with them. I use a bic pin, insert nib first and apply light force and twist while holding the opposite side label. I've managed to correct (or at least significantly improve) most of the off-centre records I've had from them. Be careful! It's easy enough to slip and drag the pen across the entire playing surface, rendering one side unplayable. I speak from unfortunate experience. I'm with you on wanting to push them to improve, but I get the feeling that these issues stem from inadequate gear... gear that is uncommon, esoteric and unlikely to be replaced. But hey, what are you gonna do?... Not listen to independent Australian releases? The majority of pressings that they handle (that I'm aware of, at least) aren't really for the hi-fi crowd IMO. Edit: Jeez, yeah ok that drill suggestion is an interesting one. Edited July 23, 2020 by spaceritual 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 My Disco – Environment - amazing new album is like nothing they have done before - recorded in Germany. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esoterica Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 I was never a big fan but got this back in the day, and still have it... Seeing when it was made (2004) makes me wonder where the years went. Possibly their first E.P? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerboy01 Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Leon Berger.... Living in a mirror Album...Can still buy but hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRSDarwin Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 An Australian punk band. A couple of good songs on this one. I liked ‘Albury Wadonga’ and their version of Lenny Kravitz’s ‘Are you going my way’. The lads appear to like the funny and risqué side of things. This cover apparently comes from the $5 note. White splatter vinyl. Private Function, Whose Line Is It Anyway? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share Posted September 14, 2020 RVG – Feral - new album from RVB - a very 80's melb sound - with a Patti Smith / Go betweens vibe - excellent. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceritual Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 On 13/09/2020 at 4:43 PM, KRSDarwin said: An Australian punk band. A couple of good songs on this one. I liked ‘Albury Wadonga’ and their version of Lenny Kravitz’s ‘Are you going my way’. The lads appear to like the funny and risqué side of things. This cover apparently comes from the $5 note. White splatter vinyl. Private Function, Whose Line Is It Anyway? It's a good one alright. I was lucky enough to snag one of the 50 'mystery bag' variant. I was expecting it to be similar to a liquid filled LP, it looks like two single sided 12"s sort of glued together around the outer edge. I haven't tried playing it, that's what I got the $5 note variant for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phenomenal Cat Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Obscura Hail Siren/Zero. Basically 2 EP's one on either side of the vinyl. Band are Melbourne based but originally from Wollongong. Terrific song-writing and boy/girl layered vocals. Influences (according to the band) include They Might Be Giants, Sufjan Stevens, Elliott Smith etc. And....this is one of the first records to be pressed at new Melbourne pressing plant Program. www.programrecords.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyse1 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 On 14/09/2020 at 12:12 PM, metal beat said: RVG – Feral - new album from RVB - a very 80's melb sound - with a Patti Smith / Go betweens vibe - excellent. Sounds great Ive tidaled them for tomorrow Go Betweens bit hooked me 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwstereo Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 On 14/09/2020 at 12:12 PM, metal beat said: RVG – Feral That is my album of the year so far, it's awesome. I saw them live, also awesome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 I managed to find the first RVG album. damn superb!! RVG – A Quality Of Mercy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I ordered the Paul Kelly 'Songs From The South' two disc set. Will be interesting to see what it's like. https://www.thesoundofvinyl.com.au/au_en/paul-kelly-ticketek-fan-exclusive-bundle.html?utm_campaign=products&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=thesoundofvinyl.com.au 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRSDarwin Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 At Air Raid Records today and picked up 3 vinyl albums from Australian bands or singers. Spun this one first and very much enjoyed the music. Good sq Caiti Baker, Mary of the North 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRSDarwin Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Then for something completely different. Not one for the kiddies or polite company. The fellas have a sense of humour. Medium sq but then again goes with the atmosphere of the performance Dune Rats, Hurry up and wait 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esoterica Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I recommend Polish Club if you want some fun, garage-y rock. Sydney boys. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 The Ocean Party – The Oddfellows' Hall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRSDarwin Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 (edited) An enjoyable gospel album. Lovely rendition of “Bridge over troubled waters” and especially “Amazing Grace”. Vika & Linda, Sunday Edited December 12, 2020 by KRSDarwin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 L-Fresh The Lion South West - 2020, excellent release from the Sydney hip hop artist 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 Rolling Blackouts C.F. – Sideways To New Italy - Aussie band signed to Sub Pop - new album 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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