Vinyl pressings
by Harold Budd · 1986
The Moon And The Melodies 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.
10 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
CAD 611 A1 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide A runout, variant 1
CAD 611 B1 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide B runout, variant 1
CAD 611 A1 TOWNHOUSE MPOSide A runout, variant 2
CAD 611 B1x TOWNHOUSE MPOSide B runout, variant 2
MPO (scratched out) CAD 611 A1X TOWNHOUSEvariant 1
MPO (scratched out) CAD 611 B1X TOWNHOUSEvariant 1
MPO (scratched out) CAD 611 A1 TOWNHOUSE
MPO (scratched out) CAD 611 B1 TOWNHOUSE
830•672-1A SNB 230 EL CRSide A runout, etched (CR is encircled and stamped)
830•672-1B #2② SNB 230 EL CRSide B runout, etched (CR is encircled and stamped)
70477 A 1 M6 354839 2Stamped A side
70477 B 3 M6 354961 2Stamped B side
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 | Benelux | Megadisc MD 7942First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Benelux | Megadisc MD 7942 / 4AD CAD 611LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Brazil | Stiletto LP3012 / Estúdio Eldorado LP3012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Rough Trade RTD 43 / 4AD RTD 43First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Rough Trade RTD 43First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | 4AD YX 7426First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | 4AD YX 7426First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | 4AD CAD 611LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Ireland | 4AD CAD 611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | 4AD CAD 611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo 830 672-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 70477 / 4AD 70477First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Relativity 88561-8143-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Virgin VG 50361 / 4AD CAD 611LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | 4AD CAD 611LPLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2024 | Unknown | 4AD 4AD0642LP / 4AD 4AD 0642LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2024 | Unknown | 4AD 4AD0642LP / 4AD 4AD 0642LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2024 | Worldwide | 4AD 4AD0642LP / 4AD 4AD 0642LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
18 vinyl pressings of The Moon And The Melodies are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Ireland, Canada, France and more. One of them is 4AD CAD 611, released November 10, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAD 611, 830 672-1, 70477, MD 7942) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAD 611 A1 TOWNHOUSE MPO and CAD 611 B1 TOWNHOUSE MPO. 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.
