Ace Of Base – Happy Nation (U.S. Version)

Yeah, its compressed. Very mid-range focused without a lot of dynamics - Sounds narrow. Would definitely benefit from a 2-LP release, maybe even at 45rpm to allow for better sound quality. That said, if you EQ this a little and crank the volume, then it sounds decent. The pressing is noise-free and there was no warping with my copy. Nice to have, but may be a placeholder until I can obtain an original pressing.

I've had this record since release. Contrary to most of the reviews below, I think the pressing quality is pretty decent. Nearly dead quiet playback too. The bonus tracks are a plus.

Ehhh....not the greatest issue but not the worst either.

Judging from the comments on Ace Of Base - Happy Nation (U.S. Version), this seems to be using the same master as it's the same track layout and a bit on the quieter end, had to crank the volume knob. This however reveals a new issue that the clear pressing probably would not have had and that I thought was long behind us: picture disc whirring. The last pic disc I've heard whirring from was the 2000s. It is clear from the clear pressing and this one IMO that the label just did not give two shits about the quality of what they were putting out. Also an increasingly rare L on GZ Media for still having this issue on their pic discs.

If there's any pros to this, the audio otherwise sounds fine and there weren't many clicks or pops. I also like the diecut on the jacket to partly show the pic disc. Overall though, this could have been produced way better, abit disappointed. (also, my copy did not have a hypesticker on the shrink FYI)

isn't it recorded slower than we used to hear those songs? i have a disgusting feeling after listening this LP. like a bad karaoke.

I was super excited to receive this, until I realized Waiting For Magic (which is one of my favorite Ace of Base songs of all time) is the trashy remix, not the original mix from Happy Nation UK Version.
Overall, it's ok I guess? Since I didn't have this in my collection yet and I'm not breaking my bank to get the 4-LP boxset, that will have to do.

Not completely unlistenable, but needs to be run through an equalizer IMO.
The spine is right aligned black and white writing on red background. Readable and everything.

a 3rd grader cut this vinyl record ,,,, but ohh its on clear vinyl wow clear vinyl awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have mixed feelings on this reissue.

The vinyl itself is flat and fairly quiet after some cleaning (and the clear vinyl looks cool), but the audio mastering seems to be all over the place. I suspect multiple masters/sources were used, as most songs sound just fine, but a few just don't sound that great at all IMO (Young And Proud being a prime example - it sounds like a blanket is over my speakers compared to the original CD press).

The outer jacket art looks like an upscale of a lower resolution scan (this doesn't bother me so much, but it's worth mentioning to those it does). The printed inner sleeve is a nice touch however - I'm glad to see more basic reissues ditching plain paper inner sleeves, and AFAIK, this one is faithful to the original vinyl versions.

My synopsis? This could have been a great reissue if better care was put into the audio quality across all songs. It's still worth grabbing as a collectible, but stick with the original CD pressing if you want the best sound quality (and I say that as a pretty big vinyl enthusiast - this is one case where the CD wins for me!).

Buen álbum, lastima que en los CD maxi o single se escuchan mejor y más fuerte el volumen de las Canciónes no así en el CD tanto en la versión Happy Nation como The Sign del disco

I've come across no less than two European CDs of this album that suffered from disc rot on the edges. Was this a persistent problem with any of the pressings?