US
August 24, 1982- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70502
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Goldisc Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SP.070502-B-GDI STERLINGSide A runout
SP.070502-A-GDI STERLINGSide B runout
070502-aSide A label
070502-bSide B label
Vinyl pressings
Chronic Town
by R.E.M. · 1982
20 pressings6 countriesIndie RockRock
Chronic Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 Chronic Town
4 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year. 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.
US
August 24, 1982- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70502
- Format
- 12", EP · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
GC MR Δ 25580X SP·070502·A-M2Side A, runout, etched
SP070502·B·M1 MR Δ 25580XSide B, runout, etched
STERLINGBoth Sides, runout, stamped
070502-aSide A, labels
US
1982- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70502
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP · Electrosound Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SP 070502–A–ES1 EMW STERLINGSide A, runout (Variant 1)
SP 070502-B–ES1 EMW STERLINGSide B, runout (Variant 1)
SP 070502A–ES2 EMW STERLINGSide A, runout (Variant 2)
SP 070502-B–ES1 EMW STERLINGSide B, runout (Variant 2)
US
1982- Label and catalog number
- I.R.S. Records SP 70502
- Format
- 12", EP · RCA Gargoyle Label
- Runout / matrix
SP070502-B-RCA 1 STERLINGSide A runout
SP070502-A-RCA 2 STERLINGSide B runout
070502-aSide A label
070502-bSide B label
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.
1980s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 7050212", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70502First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70502First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 7050212", EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70502First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70502First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1984 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 20AP 2958 / CBS/Sony 20AP 295812", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 20AP 2958 / CBS/Sony 20AP 295812", EP, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 12", EP, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS 7050212", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS 70502 / I.R.S. Records IRS-7050212", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 7050212", EP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | 12", EP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Illegal Records ILP 26097 / I.R.S. Records 2609712", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition · Limited |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | A&M Records B0014184-01 / I.R.S. Records SP-07050212", EP, Reissue | 12", EP, Reissue |
| 2010 | US | A&M Records B0014184-01 / I.R.S. Records SP-07050212", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | I.R.S. Records B0035609-0112", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 2022 | Worldwide | I.R.S. Records B0014184-0112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | I.R.S. Records 26097 / I.R.S. Records ILP 2609712", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| ? | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70502 / I.R.S. Records 7050212", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | US | I.R.S. Records IRS 7050212", EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | I.R.S. Records SP 7050212", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- Chronic Town
- A1Wolves, Lower4:08
- A2Gardening At Night4:33
- A3Carnival Of Sorts (Box Cars)3:51
- Poster Torn
- B11,000,0003:04
- B2Stumble5:39
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Chronic Town are there?
20 vinyl pressings of Chronic Town are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
When was Chronic Town first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US. One of them is I.R.S. Records SP 70502, released August 24, 1982.
How do I tell if my copy of Chronic Town is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 70502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP.070502-B-GDI STERLING and SP.070502-A-GDI STERLING. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Chronic Town 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.
