Cody Jinks: Lifer

Cody Jinks' "Lifers": Comparing Original vs. Vinyl Me, Please Pressings

Cody Jinks has emerged as a force in country music for several compelling reasons. His exceptional talent, songwriting prowess, authentic vocal delivery, and—until recently—complete control over his music's distribution and ownership have made him, as he rightfully boasts, "the most commercially successful independent country music artist on the planet."

An Outlaw's Success
Jinks' success stems largely from his unwavering commitment to his outlaw country identity—a stance that often conflicts with mainstream record labels' preference for polished pop-country sounds. While major labels prioritize quantity over quality, Jinks recognizes what many listeners crave: authenticity, originality, and honesty. Like his spiritual predecessors Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Robert Earl Keen, Jinks' rise was no accident but the natural result of giving audiences something genuine.

His commercial success validates this approach. In 2016, "I'm Not the Devil" reached No. 4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart—an impressive achievement surpassed by his subsequent independent releases "Lifers," "After the Fire," and "The Wanting," which climbed to No. 2. These accomplishments speak volumes about both Jinks' artistry and the audience's hunger for authentic country music.

A Tale of Two Pressings
This review compares two pressings of Jinks' album "Lifers": the original Rounder Records release and the Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) edition (also pressed through Rounder). This comparison was prompted by the widespread perception that VMP operates as an "audiophile club" delivering superior vinyl pressings.

The VMP Reality
Notably, VMP never explicitly claims to be an audiophile club on their website. While they do mention analog tape sourcing and audiophile pressing processes, these references specifically pertain to certain specialty releases like their Classics collection and collaborations with Analogue Productions. VMP states: "The mastering and pressing processes for both Vinyl Me, Please Classics and audiophile reissue label Analogue Productions follow a similar methodology: Audio sourced exclusively from original analog master tapes, lacquers cut direct from the tape to lacquer with no digital delay, and pressed on heavyweight black vinyl at QRP."

This careful language suggests that standard club releases are simply conventional reissues from the rights-holding labels (in this case, Cody Jinks via Rounder Records). While VMP does promise "premium vinyl packages with quality you can hear and feel," this doesn't necessarily equate to audiophile-grade pressings for every release. The misconception may stem from their marketing language and hype stickers emphasizing quality.

Sonic Comparison
Our side-by-side listening test revealed that the original Rounder Records pressing actually delivers more dynamic sound than the VMP yellow vinyl edition. The VMP release offered no discernible sonic improvements over the standard issue. While the colored vinyl provides visual appeal—a key VMP selling point—serious collectors prioritizing sound quality will find little reason to choose it over the original.
Examination of both pressings' matrix numbers suggests they share the same source—simply pressed on different colored vinyl. This explains the lack of sonic differentiation between versions.

The Vinyl Verdict
When comparing these results to genuine audiophile labels like Analogue Productions, Mobile Fidelity, and Craft Records, the difference becomes apparent. True audiophile pressings typically offer noticeable improvements over standard releases through better mastering, superior vinyl formulations, and meticulous quality control.

For those seeking the best listening experience of Jinks' excellent "Lifers" album, we recommend saving your money and purchasing the standard Rounder Records pressing from your local record store. It delivers equivalent sound quality at a lower price point, providing an excellent representation of this authentic country artist's work.

Unless colored vinyl specifically appeals to you, the VMP version offers no compelling advantages that justify its premium pricing.💰

💰 Invest
💵 Consider
💸 Pass