Mazzy Star – She Hangs Brightly

This is the worst record I've ever bought - absolutely drowning in loud static making it completely unlistenable. Had looked forward to this reissue for so long what a massive disappointment- will exchange for a black one in the hopes I get lucky.

My copy sounds amazing, crystal clear, dynamic and flat. Can’t compare other pressings but the way Hope’s voice was mixed sounds like it was made for vinyl.

Also the vinyl colour is gorgeous and pretty much exactly as described which is a bonus, I don’t know about anybody else but I feel a lot of coloured variants - particularly marble coloured - aren’t as vivid or accurate as they’re promoted.

I just checked my runouts and my 'Made in Canada' version does not have the same numbering.

This for the record has got to be one of the hardest matrix I have ever tried to review, but this is what I could mostly make out:

Matrix / Runout (Side A): 10-111135 / 602475768555-A 02258618 298370E1/B
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 10-111135 / 602475768555-B 02186253 298370E2/A

the last two numbers on both sides might have a 'Z' and not a '2', so 'Z98370E1/B' and 'Z98370E2/A' instead of what I put above...

It's so hard to make out with these crazy colours and a crappy iPhone camera!

Can anyone who did not have the Czech sticker check their copy - I suspect if you didn't have that sticker, you probably would never have seen the micro 'made in Canada' print on the shrink!

The unique numbers 02258618 and 02186253 on each side are pretty easy but all the others are crazy hard to make out...!

I ordered both this and the Among My Swan reissues as soon as they got announced, fast forward a few months later and they're both finally here. Not only does this pressing look beautiful but it sounds great! The title track She Hangs Brightly sounds incredible, probably THE standout from this pressing.

There were no Made In Czech Republic or Made In Canada stickers on either of my reissues so I have no idea what's up with my copies. I got both of mine from Rust & Wax Records so if anyone happens to know which ones I ended up getting that'd be nice to know. But like I said this one sounds great. I've seen some people experiencing issues with this pressing, I think the only noticeable issue I came across while spinning this one was with some very minor hissing at the very start of Side A. It wasn't anything distracting, it was just for a brief second. I obviously don't (currently) own any of the original pressings of any of the Mazzy Star albums as they have all become so incredibly hard to find for affordable prices within recent years, but I've owned the So Tonight That I Might See 2024 RSD reissue for a little while now and that one also sounds really nice.

I think when it comes to this pressing, (for me) Side A < Side B, something about Side B just had a bit more punch to it. But the obvious standout track was again She Hangs Brightly, hearing that on vinyl was awesome. The run of tracks on Side B from Taste Of Blood to Before I Sleep was probably the most sonically consistent part of this pressing. Don't get me wrong this is a really nice pressing but there are some moments, mainly on Side A, where sometimes either the vocals or the drums don't have that punch or presence that should be there. This is the first time I've owned this album on vinyl but I've been so used to a digital version of this album where the vocal presence on some of those Side A songs were stronger than the vinyl. Just a nitpick, it didn't ruin the listening experience whatsoever. But on Taste Of Blood & Ghost Highway...everything on those two tracks specifically sounded awesome. I think when it comes to the vocals on this pressing the standouts have to be Halah and Ghost Highway, those two were the tracks I noticed with the best vocal presence, like the band was right there in front of me. The only instrument that wasn't that present throughout most of this pressing was the bass.

Compared to the STTIMS 2024 RSD pressing, this is just a liiiittle bit better sounding. Among My Swan also sounds awesome, I'll leave a review on that one saying how good that one is too. And honestly if I had to choose between this and the Among My Swan repress for which one sounds better, I've gotta give it to Among My Swan. I'll go into more depth with that in my review for that pressing but both of these are really nice pressings overall. This one does look a lot cooler than the Among My Swan pressing though. If I could I would give this a 4.5/5, 4 feels too low but 5 isn't too far off so I'll give it a 5/5 but for me it's more like a 4.5/5.

Great pressing for a good price, pick it up!

Bought from Monorail in Glasgow, Made in Czech Republic sticker, sounds wonderful, almost at end of Side 2 and haven’t noticed a single flaw.

Side one has significant surface noise from start to end of it, even after cleaning...
It's just impossible to play and enjoy the record as it should.
Side two is ok though.
My version is the one with "Made in Czech Republic" sticker on the rear shrink.
I think I won't even try a replacement copy and I will go for the black version on this one.

Czech republic sticker, horrible surface noise, like I never heard before on a new record. on my way to return order to hhv.

Did another dumpster dive to see if I could make out the numbers on the shrink...

It seems to say: MADE IN CANADA 24 06 12 51 1

Now that being said, it was pretty crinkled and had a little coffee grounds and lunch on it... But definitely no Czech Republic sticker to be seen for sure!

Like the many others here I bought this copy to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the pressing. Dead quiet and clear as could be. I have an older repressing which was good, but this color variant sounds equally as good if not better. Oh and I also dug the plastic wrap from the garbage to see if it stated where is was pressed as per the other comments and it did say 'Made in Canada' with what looks like a date. You didn't know it was there I don't think you would catch it!

My copy, along with my copy of Among My Swan, both say "Made in Canada." Would be curious to see how this compares to those with the Czech Republic sticker.