Vinyl pressings
by Cocteau Twins · 1986
Love's Easy Tears was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MPO BAD 610 A1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, etched - Variant 1
MPO BAD 610 B1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, etched - Variant 1
MPO BAD 610 A1x TOWNHOUSESide A runout, etched - Variant 2
MPO BAD 610 B1x TOWNHOUSESide B runout, etched - Variant 2
AD 610 A1 TOWNHOUSE MPORunout Side A Etching
AD 610 C1 TOWNHOUSE MPORunout Side B Etching
88561-8141-1 A EMW MASTERED BY TRUTONE [stamped] PA 12·86Runout Text, Side A [etched]
88561-8141-1 B EMW MASTERED BY TRUTONE [stamped] PA 12·86Runout Text, Side B [etched]
Pa·12·86 IMP#2 88561-8141-1 A EmwRunout Text, Side A [Etched]
MASTERED BY TRUTONERunout Text, Side A [Stamped]
Pa·12·86 #1 88561-8141-1 B EmwRunout Text, Side B [Etched]
MASTERED BY TRUTONERunout Text, Side B [Stamped]
MD125284 A HCBRunout side A
MD125284 B HCBRunout side B
M3 354667 90282 A 3Runout side A
90282 B 1 M3 354535Runout side B
90282 ALabel side A
90282 BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | France | 4AD 90282 / 4AD 90 282First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | 4AD 80271 / 4AD 80 271First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | Rough Trade RTD 026 TFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | US | Relativity 88561-8141-1 / 4ADFirst year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | US | Relativity 88561-8141-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | 4AD BAD 61012", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | 4AD AD 6107", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | 4AD BAD 610First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | 4AD BAD 610 / Megadisc MD 125284First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1986 | UK | 4AD AD 610First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Love's Easy Tears are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Netherlands, France and more. One of them is 4AD BAD 610, released October 13, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BAD 610, AD 610, 88561-8141-1, 90282) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MPO BAD 610 A1 TOWNHOUSE and MPO BAD 610 B1 TOWNHOUSE. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
