Sleep – The Sciences

The words on the runouts are as follows when translated from Morse Code to words:
purple kush/
skywalker/OG/
cat/piss
romulan
super/
lemon/haze

I can't decide if Record Store Day is a mistake or just a big scam.

This pressing, or at least mine, is superb: the lows rumble and growl, the highs have a clear crisp zing, and the mid crushes with breadth and weight. There is so much more impact from this analogue source than a digital version: separation is better, the bass is more pronounced, and the vocals are much more lively. On the record there is also serious attention paid to the clarity of the instrumentation in the production, although I don't know if all, or any, of the recording was analogue. Although, going by the fact that this was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, it is possibly all analogue.

The lack of a gatefold cover is a bit of a shame but the green inserts are a nice touch. Good to get Al's horticultural lyrics. The vinyl is heavy (180g?) with a vivid green colour, as you would expect. I personally prefer the standard cover which has the Marijuanaut displayed in much greater detail, but whatever flicks your switch.

The hand-etching found on all four sides is in morse code and translates to 'Purple Kush' (Side 1), 'Skywalker OG' (Side 2), 'Cat Piss Romulan' (Side 3), and 'Super Lemon Haze' (Side 4). More horticultural goodness.

This is a welcome return from the band in a musical sense. Sonic Titan and Antarcticans Thawed are, I think, fresher than they have ever sounded and, for me, the latter sounds as good as the best elements of Dopesmoker. The opening drone of The Sciences seems to be a homage to the last 9 years of the band as a touring entity in which Matt would, by default for every show, whip up the audience with a induced 'take off.' I very much approve. Marijuanaut's Theme is as groovy as the band has ever been and is so Sabbath it's almost like they have reached their own peak in impersonating Volume 4. Giza Butler - reference to Al's work with OM cross-pollinated with Sabbath - and The Botanist seem to be much more nuanced and sly but this is a welcome tangent for the band. There is still serious punch in the former and the latter is a great way for a new record to trail off into a hazy smoke-filled finale.

I think, in seeking to do justice to the music, TMR has, on this version at least, delivered the goods. My local store (Truck Store, Oxford, England) had copies and I stepped out of work for 30 mins or so; I know I was lucky to get this version.

ALL HAIL IOMMI!!! PROCEED THE WEEDIAN.

This album's unreal. Absolutely on par with anything they've ever done before.
I prefer this cover art to the original, too.

$4-500? You guys might be TOO high. Both literally and figuratively.

Not a gatefold either, just a single sleeve with the inserts.

Ha ha ha we’re overpricing this record at $420 ha ha. Get it? Ha ha ha.

Not even 12 hours and the flippers are out here flipping this shit for so much. Stop paying these stupid prices. It's just a record.