Vinyl pressings
by Inspiral Carpets · 1990
Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 11 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.
DUNG 8A1 DAMONT KIEBER SCHILI EDEN UNE VITZSide A runout, variant 1
DUNG 8B1 DAMONT BATTERED MSide B runout, variant 1
DUNG 8A1 E 3 DAMONT KIEBER SCHILI EDEN UNE VITZ SULARED :~Side A runout, variant 2
DUNG 8B1 4 DAMONT BATTERED M CSide B runout, variant 2
DUNG 8 A1 DAMONT KIEBER SCHILI EDEN UNE VITZRunout side A - Variant 1
DUNG 8 B1 DAMONT BATTERED MRunout side B - Variant 1
DUNG 8 A1 DAMONT KIEBER SCHILI EDEN UNE VITZ AJ [scratched out] I SULARCP C!Runout side A - Variant 2
DUNG 8 B1 DAMONT BATTERED M ERunout side B - Variant 2
004 DMD-3854 A-1 CSide A
004 DMD-3854 B-1 CSide B
DUNG 8-ASide A
DUNG 8-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | ABR Discos TI 805 / Mute TI 805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Czechoslovakia | Mute Czechoslovakia dung 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | France | Mute 70764First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Germany | Mute int 146.861LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Greece | Virgin VG 50503 / Mute VG 50503First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | Greece | Virgin VG 50503 / Mute DUNG 8LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Italy | Mute dung 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Spain | Mute DUNG 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Spain | Mute DUNG 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Spain | Mute DUNG 8First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | Belgium | Mute DUNG 4408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | Mute DUNG 4408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Germany | Mute int 146.861 / Mute dung 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | UK | Mute DUNG 8 / Cow DUNG 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | UK | Mute DUNG 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Mute ldung8 / BMG ldung8LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
18 vinyl pressings of Life are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1990 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Belgium, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Mute DUNG 8, released April 23, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DUNG 8, DUNG 4408, int 146.861, TI 805) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DUNG 8A1 DAMONT KIEBER SCHILI EDEN UNE VITZ and DUNG 8B1 DAMONT BATTERED M. 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.
