Returning my recent purchase of the Beach Boys' "SMiLE" on 2LP due to high distortion levels in the pressing (inner bands, side 2 only, but not always the quietest surfaces elsewhere either). Noise and distortion issues aside however, IMO the sound quality and packaging weren't all they were hyped up to be in any event. With its bloated bottom, thin mids, and exagerated highs, to go with a rather flat soundstage, it sounds neither like a good-quality 60's record, nor like a typical 60's Beach Boys pressing (which usually suffered from compromised sound in different ways). And the look and feel of the printed materials are in no way period-accurate, or even noteworthy by current standards. So, rather than trying again, I may just play it safe and go with the CD set instead...
