Vinyl pressings
by Gowan · 1985
Strange Animal was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
PC-80099-A AN MASTERDISK DM-1Variant 1 Side A runout
PCC-80099-B-1C-2HZ: DM-5Variant 1 Side B runout
PCC-80099-A1 AN MASTERDISK DM-23Variant 2 Side A runout
PCC-80099-B-1C-2HZ: ② DM-19Variant 2 Side B runout
PCC̶-80099-A M MASTERDISK DM-2Runout Side A, variant 1
PCC-80099-B M MASTERDISK DM3Runout Side B, variant 1
PC C̶ -80099-A1 AɅ MASTERDISK DM-10Runout Side A, variant 2
PC C̶-80099-B AɅ MASTERDISK DM-18Runout Side B, variant 2
AL 40104 - 1ARunout Side A
BL 40104 - 1ARunout Side B
P - A AL 40104-1ASide A runout, variant 1
P - A BL 40104-1ASide B runout, variant 1
P - A AL 40104-1A 0Side A runout, variant 2
P - A 0 BL 40104-1ASide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia 20.649 / CBS 20.649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia PC-80099LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS 26493 / CBS CBS 26493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS 26493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia BFC 40104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Columbia BFC 40104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia PC-80099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia PC-80099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Canada | Not on Label (Gowan Self-Released)LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
10 vinyl pressings of Strange Animal are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1985 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Canada, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia PC-80099, released February 4, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC-80099, 26493, BFC 40104, 20.649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PC-80099-A AN MASTERDISK DM-1 and PCC-80099-B-1C-2HZ: DM-5. 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.
