Vinyl pressings
by Colonel Abrams · 1984
Music Is The Answer was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 2 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.
☆PRESSED AT SOUND MAKER.☆N.J. MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :v) SWRL-2235-ARunout Side A Etched & Stamped
☆PRESSED AT SOUND MAKER.☆N.J. MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :v) SWRL-2235-BRunout Side B Etched & Stamped
SWRL-2235-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS✩N.J.Side A runout
SWRL-2235-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS✩N.J.Side B runout
☆PRESSED AT SOUND MAKER.☆N.J. MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :v) SWRL-2235-A
☆PRESSED AT SOUND MAKER.☆N.J. MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :v) SWRL-2235-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UK | PRT 7P 336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Streetwise SWRL 2235First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | Streetwise SWRL 2235First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Streetwise SWRL 2235First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Streetwise SWRL 1135First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Streetwise SWRL 223512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Germany | Streetwise 120·10·00212", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Streetwise 100·10·0027", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | PRT 12P 33612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | PRT 12P 33612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US | Warlock Records WAR-80712", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Dotdotdot Records DDD00912", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 2003 | US | Dotdotdot Records DDD00912", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2004 | US | Dotdotdot Records DDD01512", 45 RPM, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 45 RPM, 33 ⅓ RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Music Is The Answer are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1984 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK. One of them is Streetwise SWRL 2235.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SWRL 2235, SWRL 1135, 7P 336) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ☆PRESSED AT SOUND MAKER.☆N.J. MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :v) SWRL-2235-A and ☆PRESSED AT SOUND MAKER.☆N.J. MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR :v) SWRL-2235-B. 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.
