Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1994
Always was first pressed on vinyl in 1994. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1994, the album's first year, in 6 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.
MUTE 152 (D) A2 MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE DMM DAMONT 3Side A runout, etched, variant 1
MUTE 152 B1 - DAMONT - JONZSide B runout, etched, variant 1
MUTE 152 (D) A² MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE DMM 2 DAMONTSide A runout, etched, variant 2
MUTE 152 B¹ - DAMONT - JONZ 3Side B runout, etched, variant 2
MUTE 152 (D) A² MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE DMM DAMONT 2Side A runout, etched
MUTE 152 (D) B² DAMONT DSide B runout, etched
12 MUTE 152-A1 PR-m Dmm THE EXCHANGE DmmA-1
12 MUTE 152-B2 PR-m Dmm THE EXCHANGE DmmB-1
12 MUTE 152-A2 PR-m Dmm SIMON X THE EXCHANGE D.m.m.Runout groove side A, variant 1
12 MUTE 152-B2 PR-m Dmm SIMON D THE EXCHANGE D.m.m.Runout groove side B, variant 1
12 MUTE 152-A2 PR-M DMM SIMON THE EXCHANGE D.M.M. FRunout groove side A, variant 2
12 MUTE 152-B2 PR-M DMM SIMON THE EXCHANGE D.M.M. KRunout groove side B, variant 2
P12 MUTE 152 - A1 THE EXCHANGE DMM PR-M DMM AEtched A side
P 12 MUTE 152 - B1 JONZ DMM PR-M BEtched B side
STED•5686-A•1 1-1Side A Etched
ST-ED•5686-B1 1-1Side B Etched
SRCSide A & B Stamped
ST-ED-5686A-SPSide A Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Colombia | ToCo International 181446-7 / Mute 181446-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 192.946 / Mute L12 Mute 152First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 111.915 / Mute Mute 152First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 126.790 / Mute Int 126.790First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1994 | Philippines | Pony Canyon PC-0051First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1994 | Spain | Mute 12Mute152 / RCA 74321 19881 1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1994 | UK | Mute P12 Mute 152First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1994 | UK | Mute Mute 152 DFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1994 | UK | Mute 12 Mute 152First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1994 | US | Mute 0-66225 / Elektra 0-66225First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1994 | US | Elektra ED 5686First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1994 | US | Elektra STED 568612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1994 | UK | Mute Mute 152First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1994 | UK | Mute 12 Mute 152First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Turkey | Not On Label NA12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Picture disc | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Picture disc |
15 vinyl pressings of Always are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1994 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1994, in UK, US, Colombia, Germany and more. One of them is Mute Mute 152, released April 11, 1994.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Mute 152, Mute 152 D, 12 Mute 152, P12 Mute 152) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MUTE 152 (D) A2 MIKE´S - THE EXCHANGE DMM DAMONT 3 and MUTE 152 B1 - DAMONT - JONZ. 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.
