• A KILLER early UK pressing, Triple Plus (A+++) sound on the first side and Double Plus (A++) on the second
• Some of the biggest, boldest rock sound ever recorded - just amazing on a pressing like this
• 5 Stars and a Better Records Rock and Pop Top 100 album - every track is Elvis at this best
• AMG is right: Armed Forces "It's a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row."

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• With Triple Plus (A+++) sound or something close to it on both sides this is as good a copy as we have ever offered
• Geoff Emerick engineered, creating a unique sound - a sound which only works if you have the right pressing
• This dense, darkly serious album contains some of the best songs EC ever wrote - the last of his True Classics
• Allmusic 5 Stars: "Essentially, the songs on Imperial Bedroom are an extension of Costello's jazz and pop infatuations on Trust. Costello's music is complex and intricate, yet it flows so smoothly, it's easy to miss the bitter, brutal lyrics."

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• An incredible copy - the first Shootout Winner to hit the site in years, with Triple Plus (A+++) sound on both sides
• Big, lively and dynamic, with huge amounts of bass (Elvis's trademark sound) and New Wave energy that's off the charts
• This release, coming right before the brilliant Trust, contains Elvis classics like I Can't Stand Up (for Falling Down) & Motel Matches
• The AMG Five Star rating "...a 20-song blue-eyed soul tour-de-force..." and killer recording quality make this a Must Own for Elvis fans

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• Triple Plus (A+++) sound from start to finish - this is far and away the best sounding copy to ever hit the site
• Two Costello classics are found on side one: Everyday I Write the Book, and Shipbuilding, with a heartbreaking trumpet solo by none other than Chet Baker himself
• The bass and the horn sound are the two key elements to getting the right sound on this record, and they're both As Good As It Gets here (hence the Triple Plus)
• "Elvis Costello ... remains the most consistently interesting songwriter in rock & roll, and there is evidence that a new, more emotionally generous sensibility may soon be present in his work." Rolling Stone

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• With two sides rating a Triple Plus (A+++) or very close to it, this import pressing of Elvis's 1981 brilliant return to form simply could not be beat
• The clarity and transparency here are superb, allowing you to appreciate subtleties in the high end even when the bass and drums are really POUNDING
• 5 stars: "Arguably, their most impressive album... demonstrates all sides of Costello's songwriting and performing personality..."
• "...this is rock and roll as eloquent, hard-hitting pop, and Elvis has turned into such a soul man that I no longer wish he'd change his name to George and go country."

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• An outstanding copy, with excellent Double Plus (A++) grades on both sides
• The sound is lively, punchy, and powerful - with all due respect, it should MURDER whatever copies you may have
• A massive step up sonically from most domestic pressings, early or otherwise, and guaranteed to handily beat the imports as well
• 5 stars: "A phenomenal debut, capturing a songwriter and musician whose words were as rich and clever as his music."

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• Outstanding Double Plus (A++) grades on both sides of this early UK press, giving you killer sound from first note to last
• Some of the biggest, boldest rock sound ever recorded - nothing short of amazing on a pressing like this
• A Top 100 album - every track is recorded brilliantly - you will have a hard time finding a record with punchier bass than Armed Forces
• AMG is right: "It's a dense but accessible pop record and ranks as his third masterpiece in a row." 5 Stars

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• Open and present with great size and space, this pressing earned excellent sonic grades of Double Plus (A++) on both sides
• Geoff Emerick engineered, creating a unique sound, a sound which only seems to work if you have the right pressing
• This dense, darkly serious album contains some of the best songs EC ever wrote - the last of his True Classics
• Allmusic 5 Stars: "Essentially, the songs on Imperial Bedroom are an extension of Costello's jazz and pop infatuations on Trust. Costello's music is complex and intricate, yet it flows so smoothly, it's easy to miss the bitter, brutal lyrics."

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• One of the true Elvis Costello classics returns to the site on UK vinyl with Double Plus (A++) sound on both sides
• You're gonna love the sound here - full-bodied and punchy with a solid low end and excellent presence for Elvis's vocals
• The bass is right - the moment-to-moment rhythmic changes in the songs are clear and the band swings the way it's supposed to
• 5 stars: "The most remarkable thing about the album is the sound — Costello and the Attractions never rocked this hard, or this vengefully, ever again."

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• With two excellent Double Plus (A++) sides, this import pressing of Elvis's 1981 brilliant return to form should sound far better than any other copy you've heard
• The clarity and transparency here are superb, allowing you to appreciate subtleties in the high end even when the bass and drums are really POUNDING
• 5 stars: "Arguably, their most impressive album... demonstrates all sides of Costello's songwriting and performing personality..."
• "...this is rock and roll as eloquent, hard-hitting pop, and Elvis has turned into such a soul man that I no longer wish he'd change his name to George and go country."

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• You'll find Double Plus (A++) sound on both sides of this Elvis Costello classic
• The bottom end here is as punchy, well-defined and powerful as they come - there's plenty of low-end on this record
• The overall clarity and transparency is superb, allowing you to appreciate subtleties in the top end even when the bass and drums are really pounding
• "Punch the Clock won't alter anyone's opinion of Elvis Costello because it doesn't represent much of a change for him. He remains the most consistently interesting songwriter in rock & roll, and there is evidence that a new, more emotionally generous sensibility may soon be present in his work." Rolling Stone

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• One of Elvis Costello's classics returns to the site on UK vinyl, earning very good Hot Stamper grades on both sides
• You're gonna love the sound here - big and full with excellent presence for Elvis's vocals
• Fairly quiet vinyl throughout -- Mint Minus to Mint Minus Minus
• 5 stars: "The most remarkable thing about the album is the sound — Costello and the Attractions never rocked this hard, or this vengefully, ever again."

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• You'll find Hot Stamper sound on both sides of this Elvis Costello classic
• The bottom end here is as punchy, well-defined and powerful as they come - there's plenty of low-end on this record
• The overall clarity and transparency is superb, allowing you to appreciate subtleties in the top end even when the bass and drums are really pounding
• "Punch the Clock won't alter anyone's opinion of Elvis Costello because it doesn't represent much of a change for him. He remains the most consistently interesting songwriter in rock & roll, and there is evidence that a new, more emotionally generous sensibility may soon be present in his work." Rolling Stone

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At this point we've easily done more than a thousand Hot Stamper listings, so we are talking in the range of the top one or two percent for sound. Most audiophiles will go their whole lives without hearing a rock record sound this good, considering the tens of thousands of records we've had to buy, clean and play to find the handful of OFF THE CHARTS copies we've reviewed.

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Is Trust the best sounding album from 1981? It gets my vote.

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The sound of the rhythm section of this album ranks up there with the very best ever recorded. Beyond that, the musical chops of this band at this time rank with the very best in the history of rock. Steve, Bruce and Pete rarely get the credit they deserve for being one of the tightest, liveliest backing bands ever to walk into a studio or on to a stage.

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