Velvet Revolver – Contraband

First heard this when I was in the US on a working trip from Australia. I had the weekend off and decided to drive from Detroit to Niagara Falls. I found a rock themed radio station and they had Contraband on high rotation as it had just been released.
I fell in love with the album on that road trip and went and bought the CD as soon as I got back to Detroit.
This is the first time I’ve owned it on vinyl and my copy sounds amazing. No warps either 😁🤘🏻

Like many others have experienced, my copy came with both discs having a visible warp. The sound quality isn’t perfect, but considering the circumstances (the era of Rick Rubin/the loudness wars/over-compression being the standard), this album sounds pretty good. The printed inner sleeves feel glossy and sticky and pulling out the record is weird because you run the risk of scuffing the record. If you avoid that, you’re dealing with a lot of dust, so make sure you’re careful and you give the record a real good clean after. If you’re willing to deal with a warp and some dust, this record is more than serviceable.

EDIT: Amazon sent me a replacement copy, this copy came cleaner and with a less severe warp (if it plays, it stays). With headphones, some minor popping is audible, along with the compression and very minor sibilance (those extra songs really got these 4 sides running close to the label). I’ve had records that were way more expensive sound way worse. I stand by my previous statement that if you’re willing to dig for a good copy, this is worth a pick-up

Min sounds great, now reissue libertad love me some guns n stone temple roses

So, I should have read the reviews before picking this up, our copy at least is terrible. Several flat spots where the bass wobbles and drops out, probably pressing flaws? On our gear its noticeable and annoying. This one has all the issues: pops, low spots, bad quality and even a slight warp.

This is not a good sounding version in my opinion. In order of preference: 1) MOV 2) original CD 3) this 2024 and 4) 2004 OG US vinyl. Although i think a case can be made that the 2004 vinyl is better than this. Rega P6 TT

Gonna break up the party here. The MOV is definitely the better listen. The extra bonus tracks aren't anything special except for the acoustic version of Fall to Pieces. Money is excruciatingly way too long.

Third time's a charm. First copy was bowled, the second caused some serious tone-arm wobble but one last try (despite the store manager's objection) and it plays beautifully. I can only compare it to the original CD but this sounds so much better. It's mixed loud but was remastered so it's not as compressed... and no copy protection! Very happy to have the covers included, too. I just hope 'Libertad' get the same treatment in '27.

5 stars for the sound but my copy is badly warped. Looks like it’s going back if I can find a replacement copy

I think this sounds way better than the MOV release. Given the choice this may be the best of the vinyl pressing of this album yet.

This is a loud rock album. This remaster backed off the loudness a tad. I did a comparison to the original CD, which is very loud, and trying to balance the levels between the two to A/B was crazy. I think my only complaint with this pressing was the lousy QC. The vinyl was covered in release agent, scuffs, and fingerprints. I rarely wash new albums, and this one was a must. It also had a minor lip warp, but nothing audible… aside from some noise from the scuffs.