Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1989
Drama! was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 16 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.
L-12 MUTE 89AI The Exchange PR-P BEtched Side A, Variant 1
L-12 MUTE 89BI JONZ PR-P DEtched Side B, Variant 1
L-12 MUTE 89 A1 The Exchange PR-P MEtched Side A, Variant 2
L-12 MUTE 89 B1 [(script) JONZ] PR-P LEtched Side B, Variant 2
THE EXCHANGE 3 9JU56 HI-DEB 12-MUTE 89-A1XSide A variant 1
JONZ N' MIKE'S 12-MUTE 89-B1 D.I.M. 2 9JU56Side B variant 1
THE EXCHANGE 9JU56 HI-DEB 12-MUTE 89-A1Side A variant 2
JONZ N' MIKE'S 12-MUTE 89-B1X D.I.M. 3 9JU56Side B variant 2
MUTE 89 A2 THE EXCHANGE MPORunout side A, variant 1
MUTE 89 B1 JONZ MPORunout side B, variant 1
MUTE 89 A2 THE EXCHANGE MPORunout side A, variant 2
MUTE 89 B1x JONZ MPORunout side B, variant 2
MUTE 89 A2 2 The Exchange LYN 24067 9 MPO [scratched]Runout, A-side, etched
MUTE 89 B1 JONZ N LYN 24068 I MPO [scratched]Runout, B-side, etched
MUTE 89 A2 THE EXCHANGE MPORunout, A-side, etched variant 2
MUTE 89 B1x JONZ MPORunout, B-side, etched variant 2
THE EXCHANGE 9JU56 K HI-DEB 12MUTE 89-AIRunout side A
JONZ N' MIKES K 9JU56 D.I.M. 12 MUTE 89-BIRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Mute TDS 557First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Belgium | Indisc Benelux MUTE 4689 / Indisc Benelux Mute 4689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Belgium | Indisc Benelux MUTE 124689First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 13560First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | France | Mute 80481 / Virgin 80481First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | France | Mute 90546First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Germany | Mute 111.874First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Greece | Δίσκοι Virgin ΕΠΕ VG 2147ZFirst year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1989 | Italy | Ricordi MUTEX 89First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Italy | Mute MUTE 89 / Mute Mute 89First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | Italy | Mute MUTEX89First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1989 | Italy | Mute MUTE 89First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1989 | Philippines | Mute EPM-89-005 / Mute 12 Mute 89First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | South Africa | Mute Mux 729First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Sanni Records 12 Mute 89 / Mute 12 Mute 89First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
41 vinyl pressings of Drama! are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Benelux, France and more. One of them is Mute L12 Mute 89, released September 18, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L12 Mute 89, 12 Mute 89, Mute 89, 12 MUTE 89) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L-12 MUTE 89AI The Exchange PR-P B and L-12 MUTE 89BI JONZ PR-P D. 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.
