Humbug was recorded in 2009 primarily at Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, California, with additional sessions at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. The album was produced by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, alongside James Ford, who had worked with the band on their previous album Favourite Worst Nightmare. Homme's influence steered the band toward a heavier, darker, and more psychedelic desert rock sound, marking a significant departure from the group's earlier post-punk revival style. The remote desert setting of Rancho De La Luna, a studio known for its association with the desert rock scene and albums by bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, contributed to the album's atmospheric and brooding tone. The production featured heavier use of reverb, downtuned guitars, and more layered arrangements than the band's previous work, reflecting a deliberate effort by frontman Alex Turner and the group to evolve their sound and challenge listener expectations.
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14 cataloged · sorted by audiophile score
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Domino — WIGLP220
Original UK vinyl pressing is the most frequently recommended version on SHF and Reddit; praised for its warm, full sound that suits the album's desert-rock aesthetic, though some note it doesn't escape the inherently compressed and murky production choic
Domino — LP-DNO-237
US first pressing vinyl is considered a solid pressing; frequently compared to the UK WIGLP220 with most agreeing both sound good, sourced from the same Josh Homme / James Ford production masters.
Beat Records — BRC719
Japanese HQCD pressing on Beat Records is noted by collectors as a worthwhile upgrade over standard CDs; the HQCD format and careful Japanese manufacturing are appreciated, though opinions vary on whether the audible difference justifies the premium.
Hostess Entertainment Unlimited — HSE-10090 · Domino — WIGCD220J
First Japanese CD pressing with obi; some collectors prefer it for the bonus material and generally good CD mastering, but not singled out as sonically superior.
Domino — WIGCD220S
Original UK CD pressing; generally regarded as a competent modern CD master but the album's deliberately murky production limits audiophile appeal.
Domino — WIGLP220BR
2023 Japanese vinyl repress; collectors note it as a convenient way to get the album on vinyl but limited discussion on whether it surpasses the original 2009 pressings.
Domino — DNO-237
Standard US CD release; not particularly discussed on audiophile forums, considered identical mastering to UK CD.
Hostess Entertainment Unlimited — HSE-10115
Japanese reissue occasionally mentioned as a clean pressing but not widely discussed as audiophile-grade.
Domino — WIGCD220OZ
Domino — WIGCD220
Domino — WIG220D
Domino — WIGCD220R · Soyuz Music — WIGCD220R
Domino — WIGCD220PH
Domino Recording Co — 5034202022053