Grateful Dead* – From The Mars Hotel

Looks cool - sound is not that good at all. It’s to be expected with pic discs though. More for looks than listening.

Surface noise is evident in the dead wax at the beginning and ends, but when the music is playing, dead silent and good sound. I thought the zoetrope design would appear to be dancing bears or lettering or something, but it just looks like spinning lines. I do not understand the appeal. The design does not dance when spinning.

I preordered both the 50th Anniversary Mars Hotel, "Ugly Rumors" Custom Viny (Limited Edition 3,000) on 180g LP and the 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition Zoetrope Picture Disc (Limited Edition 7,500). And find that both versions are exceptional pressings crystal clear sound stages which showcase the beautiful well balanced original master recording soundstages which were so gracefully and sonically captured by soundboards in studio.

For archival purposes, these rerelease are great additions to a vinyl collection. I feel fortunate to own both because the mastering on these recordings is incredible. David Lemieux et al @ Rhino Enterprises have done a fantastic job with this release. While I'm not a big fan of the PVC sleeve for the zoetrope, as others have mentioned it must be replaced, I do think the embossed "AUTHENTIC" cover of "Ugly Rumors" and back cover included Aliens watching TV stickers are a nice touch.

As for the Zoetrope, to view the animation, I found that when I recorded video with an iPhone at 30fps with "flash" and "live action" enabled, I got the best results. The creator of the zoetrope recommends installing a strobe app since animated image is not visible to the naked eye, but I was not able to replicate the animation with the app they recommend. I also tried unsuccessfully the flashlight app set to strobe in a darker room. BRIGHT LIGHTING is definitely key.

IF "Wake of the Flood" captured the band in the "On Deck" circle of 1974, these recordings showcase the band swinging mightily and moving one brightly despite the confines of the studio. Garcia's amplifier reverb and guitar intonation is crisp and clean. Nothing is muddled or unclear and his searching tones are as beautiful as ever - none more so than the haunting refrain so eloquently woven within "China Doll". Bob's phrasing and alternative chord voicings are in full effect. Phil's voice on "Unbroken Chain" is strong and articulate, while his bass is earth moving as ever - IN THE ZONE. Keith and Donna grace many tunes, and Billy keeps all in check with his impeccable timing.

This studio record captures for the world many of the bands signature tunes which would later become live performance mainstays.

My copy sounds perfect and very silent. You do need to change the inner pvc sleeve tho. For a picture disc it sounds great, and it is a nice gimmick to your collection.

Surface noise like woah. I went here hoping it was just my copy...sounds like a wide issue. It's good for the novelty, but definitely not worth more than $30, ever.

Great visual gimmick, but the surface noise is almost too much. Make sure you cut open the inner sleeve (will stick to record) and throw it out. It's made of soft PVC and will chemically ruin the record. Resleeve!