The B-52's – Cosmic Thing

I've owned a copy of this "10" of an album since it's release, and I reckon I know it well. I just played an o.g. NM copy and this MSFL (#00369) back to back. The original sounds fantastic and genuine. The MFSL is different but definitely a keeper. The Bass is drowned out a tad on the MFSL but didn't turn me off, as I still listened to both sides.

This is my first B-52's album so I am not overly familiar with their music outside of their commercial hits. That said I'll first say I have been spinning this for a week and enjoy it. Having an AAA source I expected more separation but I have nothing to compare it to and it's not a big enough issue with me to go into detail. It's all subjective to each person's setup and audible intake anility anyway. It's a good, clean, flat tight sounding album.

AAA all analog! What else to say but great mastering! Just wish it had more bass, but the highs and mids are superb.

Direct comparison with original press US vinyl (SRC/Masterdisk): this mastering is less full in the low end, slightly less full in the lower midrange, and fuller in the upper-mid. The result is a slightly thinner, slightly more edgy sound than the original US vinyl.

Special Limited Edition No 006702, from the 2022 repress. I see nothing that specifically distinguishes this as a repress.

To me sounded very thin. I own the other 2 mofi B52 albums and didn’t find them to be thin sounding at all. I do have 2 different 45rpm 7” (different codes one is a limited edition but pretty sure both are same pressing) of Love shack so listened to those, found kick drum to be about the same pretty tight but the bass guitar or bass strings on guitar to be a lot more forward on the 45’s and the voices sounded a bit more fuller on the 45. Plus the volume difference between the 45’s and this 33 was huge.

I have the rainbow colored 2018 version I did a comparison with. I can’t find one thing that 2018 version is better at. The MoFi release plays so quietly, while the 2018 plays with very minor surface noise, especially noticeable in the quiet areas. MoFi sounds clean, open, airy, so well balanced, and did I mention quiet, wow! Of course, clean it well before it’s played. This has much better bass that is not bloated. I noticed deep bass on the first song Cosmic Thing that I never heard before. If you’ve got a subwoofer or more, you’ll be fine, if not, you might want to turn up the bass a bit, depending on how you listen.

The packaging is great with a nice gatefold with the lyrics inside and the record itself is perfectly flat. Overall, I’m very impressed with this all analog MoFi release. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an excellent sounding version of this record.

I am happy with the recording, no bass missing at all, it is quite punchy on my equipment.

Theres some strange criticisms that this record lacks bass which is wrong as the recording itself lacks bass. It was produced in sprightly fashion and this release preserves that. It perhaps sticks out abit more because the mid and treble here are the best its ever been heard imo comparing an OG and 2020 reissue. It will take a full remix or heavy digital EQ'ing to change the production enough to get this sounding thick but that wont come for free. I for one havent heard this record sounding better but i can it i wish the recording had a couple of db added in the 50 to 200hz range.

Maybe one day AP will do this record and bring balance to this Cosmic force!!

I've been listening to this album since I was 11 years old. My first copy was a tape, and I then got the CD about two years later. I've had this album in rotation off and on throughout my entire life. In 2010 Audio Fidelity came out with a remastered Gold CD
(https://discogs.cinepelis.org/release/4276938-The-B-52s-Cosmic-Thing) which sounds absolutely fantastic. I also have the RSD rainbow version, and this Mofi version as well.
In my opinion this Mofi LP sounds excellent. It's open, airy, and crystal clear. It sounds very much like the Audio Fidelity CD.
In regards to the comments about the bass, you can't create what isn't there. This is not a bass heavy recording at all. Never has been. But the bass that is there is tuneful and quick. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend searching out this version, but don't overpay.

same bad experience for me, THe Bass is completely MISSING on this one Got the serial #006077 from 2021 re-issue from MOFI. Very low volume too...