UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- Siren SIREN LP4
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SIRENLP4̶ 4 A-2U-1-2-2 D TOWNHOUSESide A runout
SIREN LP 4 B-1U-1-1 1 D TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B runout
Vinyl pressings
Life's Hard And Then You Die
by It's Immaterial · 1986
20 pressings12 countriesFolk RockLeftfieldDowntempoSynth-pop
Life's Hard And Then You Die 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Life's Hard And Then You Die
15 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- Siren SIREN LP4
- Format
- LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
SIREN LP A4 A-U-1-1Runout area side A
SIREN LP 4 3-1 U-1-1Runout area side B
US
1986- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP6-5159
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · B Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SP-06-5159-A ES-1Side 1
SP-06-5159-B ES-2Side 2
Australia
1986- Label and catalog number
- Siren SIRENLP4
- Format
- LP, Album
Australia
1986- Label and catalog number
- Siren SIREN LP4Virgin SIREN LP4
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SIREN LP 4 A CDRunout Side A
SIREN LP 4 B CDRunout Side B
Canada
1986- Label and catalog number
- Siren VL2396
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
VL-2396 A CR TLC-T V̷L̷-̷1̷2̷3̷9̷ ̷A̷Runout Side A etched
VL-2396 B CR TLC-T V̷L̷-̷1̷2̷3̷9̷ ̷B̷Runout Side B etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Siren SIRENLP4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin SIREN LP4First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Sampler, Stereo · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Sampler, Stereo · Promo, Limited |
| 1986 | Australia | Siren SIREN LP4 / Virgin SIREN LP4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Siren VL2396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 881 / Virgin 207 881-630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 881 / Siren 207 881-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | Siren 350 041 / Virgin 350 041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin VG 50216 / Siren SIREN LP 4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Virgin SIREN LP4 / Siren SIREN LP4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Siren SIRENLP4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Portugal | Siren 605413First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | Virgin LL-207 881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Siren SIREN LP4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Siren SIREN LP4First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records SP6-5159First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Siren OVED 289LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2020s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Past Night From Glasgow PNFG39 / Past Night From Glasgow PNFG39WLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | UK | Past Night From Glasgow PNFG39LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | UK | Past Night From Glasgow PNFG39LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
Tracklist
- A1Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)4:12
- A2Happy Talk5:29
- A3Rope3:37
- A4The Better Idea5:42
- A5Space3:59
- B1The Sweet Life4:38
- B2Festival Time3:52
- B3Ed's Funky Diner3:05
- B4Hang On Sleepy Town4:20
- B5Lullaby6:21
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Life's Hard And Then You Die are there?
20 vinyl pressings of Life's Hard And Then You Die are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1986 and 2024.
When was Life's Hard And Then You Die first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Siren SIREN LP4.
How do I tell if my copy of Life's Hard And Then You Die is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SIREN LP4, SP6-5159, SIRENLP4, VL2396) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SIRENLP4̶ 4 A-2U-1-2-2 D TOWNHOUSE and SIREN LP 4 B-1U-1-1 1 D TOWNHOUSE DMM. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Life's Hard And Then You Die on vinyl worth?
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.
