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LOTR:FOTR CR Soundtrack - Vinyl Edition - Hands-on Review

TheHutt
Gondor


Apr 18 2018, 6:21am

Post #1 of 3 (4207 views)
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LOTR:FOTR CR Soundtrack - Vinyl Edition - Hands-on Review Can't Post

On April 6th 2018 a first Lord of the Rings soundtrack ever has been released on Vinyl. The limited edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Complete Recordings has been released in a beautifully designed album on 5 LPs. Now I received it and was curious as to what's inside. Here's my hands-on review.
This review is not about the quality of the CR soundtrack itself (which has been out for a while now) or the sound quality of the LP. I am not an audiophile and do not have the adequate equipment to be able to evaluate it.
The design of the LP cover is the same as the CD version (apart from the size difference). The case is made of sturdy cardboard with a faux leather spine.

The back contains the track list.

The sticker on the front cover.

After removing the shrinkwrap.

The logo is gold-foiled. Here it is in detail.

The track list is on a separate tech sheet. Under it is the clean back side with the map of Middle-Earth.

The inscription on the spine. Also gold-foiled.

As opposed to the CD version, the LP is limited by 5000 pieces worldwide. This is number 2897/5000. The number is embossed in gold on the back.

The tech sheet is small enough to put it into the box after removal.

The box opens.

On the left side the track list is repeated (on a beige background this time).

As opposed to the CD version, the Vinyl version contains 5 discs instead of 3. Each side is individually labeled from A to J. The tracks correspond with the CD versions as follows: CD1 = sides A - C; CD2 = sides D - F; CD3 = sides G - J.

The contents of the box: the map of Middle-Earth, the booklet and the LPs.

According to the sticker, the map of Middle-Earth is to be released in parts. This is Part 1. Don't know if you are supposed to glue them once you have them all.

Also in the box: a liner notes booklet (with Frodo's portrait):

The CD version contains a 48 pages booklet. The Vinyl version has only 16 pages, as the size of the font has practically remained the same and because of the increased page size. The contents is the same as on the CD: information on the compositor, the used leitmotifs, the instruments and the performance.

First page:

The themes. The references to tracks are replaced by the LP/Side nomenclature.

More pages:

Right fly leaf:

There is a silk band for easy removal of the contents.

Now to check out the LPs. They are in individual sleeves made of rough black paper; inside, there are additional plastic bags to prevent scratches.

All the five LPs.

Checking out the LP. The vinyl is bright red and it looks just stunning. Each LP weighs 180g (as opposed to the standard LPs which weigh 120-140g). The LPs also look much thicker than the standard ones: this additional thickness should prevent warping with time. 180g vinyl LPs are considered "audiophile grade" albums and produced with a higher quality standard.

The paper labels replicate the design of the CD discs.

Final thoughts:
The Vinyl edition is as good as it gets. It ideally replicates the design of the CD edition (which has been developed in 2005). The sturdy box with gold-foiling, faux leather, an informative booklet and a Middle-Earth map as a bonus is an eye-catcher and a great addition to any collection.
Question remains, where to get it. The US amazon store had it for a long time for 108 dollars. The price seems a bit high; however, it was actually cheap compared to the prices at European amazon stores (around 160 EUR). And, given the strict limitation of 5000 pieces worldwide, $108 seems actually quite adequate. Actually, the US amazon stock is already sold out and the scalper prices at marketplace are quite high (around $300). However, the disc is still available at various European amazon sites:
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Complete Recordings Limited Vinyl Edition:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Booklet - Custom Booklet Project



Silmaril
Rohan


Apr 18 2018, 7:40am

Post #2 of 3 (4186 views)
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It's amazing! [In reply to] Can't Post

Looking forward to TTT and ROTK!


Lindele
Gondor

Apr 19 2018, 2:25pm

Post #3 of 3 (3863 views)
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Agree that it's amazing, but [In reply to] Can't Post

not a sturdy box, in my case.
When I opened it two of the corners were completely come apart. And since it was already 'sold out' Amazon couldn't do anything about it. Pretty annoying considering this is such a beautiful thing to collect.

Thankfully I bought two!

 
 

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