Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1983
Murmur was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
SP0-70604-A-3 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
SP0-70604-B-3 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
SP0-70604-A-RCA-2 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
SP0-70604-B-3 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
SPO 70604-A-M2 (2) MR △ 26051 STERLING ⚾A side runout
SPO⋅70604⋅B-ES1" MR △ 26051X EMW STERLINGB side runout
SP-070604-AA side label
SP-070604-BB side label
SP0 70604 A ES1 EMW STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
SP0 70604-B-ES1 EMW STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
SP0 70604 A ES1 EMW STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
SP0 70604-B-ES2 EMW STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
SP-070604-AA Side Label
SP-070604-BB Side Label
SP0-70604-A-GD1 STERLINGA Side Etch, except Sterling Stamp
SP0-70604-B-GD1 STERLINGB Side Etch, except Sterling Stamp
STERLING ⚾︎ A1 A SPO 70604A RCA2A side runout
STERLING A2 C- SPO-70604-B-3B side runout
SP-070604-AA side label
SP-070604-BB side label
SP-070604-AA Side Label
SP-070604-BB Side Label
SP0-70604-A-GD1 STERLINGA side etch, except Sterling stamp
SP0-70604-B-GD1 STERLINGB side etch, except Sterling stamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4380 / Epic ELPS 4380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4380First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP 70604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP 70604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 25433 / I.R.S. Records 25433First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | I.R.S. Records ILP 465378 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2659First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | I.R.S. Records ASF 2886First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70604 / I.R.S. Records SP70604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70014LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70604LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-231LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1995 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-231 / I.R.S. Records MFSL 1-231LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | I.R.S. Records B0013015-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | I.R.S. Records B0013015-01 / UMe B0013015-01LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 465378 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | I.R.S. Records SP 70604 / I.R.S. Records SP70604LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of Murmur are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1983 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records SP 70604, released April 12, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 70604, SP 70014, SP70604, ILP 25433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP0-70604-A-3 STERLING and SP0-70604-B-3 STERLING. 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.
