Vinyl pressings
by The Alarm · 1985
Absolute Reality was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 4 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.
24-126084-1A1 BRunout side A
24-126084-1B-1 ARunout side B
24-126084-1Label side A
24-126084-2Label side B
24-6084-2A-1 ARunout, side A, stamped
24-6084-1B-1 BRunout, side B, stamped
24-006084-1Label, side A
24-006084-2Label, side B
ALARM 1 A-1U-1-1- 4 DENIS TAPE ONESide A runout
ALARM 1 B-1U-1-1- 2 BilBo TAPE ONESide B runout
ALARM 1 A-1U-1-1- 4 DENIS TAPE ONERunout side A, variant 1
ALARM 1 B-1U-1-1- 2 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side B, variant 1
ALARM 1 A-1U-1-1- 13 DENIS TAPE ONERunout side A, variant 2
ALARM 1 B-1U-1-1- 15 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side B, variant 2
ALARM 12 1̶ A - 1U-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONESide A
ALARM 12 1̶ B - 1U-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONESide B
ALARM 1 A-1U-1-1- 1 DENIS TAPE ONERunout side A
ALARM 1 B-1U-1-1- 15 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 1046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 1046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 6084 / I.R.S. Records A-6084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records ALARM 1 / Priority Records ALARM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records ALARM 1 / Priority Records ALARM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records ALARM 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | I.R.S. Records ALARM 1 / Priority Records ALARM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK & Ireland | I.R.S. Records ALARM D1 / Priority Records ALARM D1First year7", Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited |
| 1985 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.6084 / I.R.S. Records A 12.6084First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-1710812", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-528287", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-528287", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-1710812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-528287", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-528287", Single | 7", Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Absolute Reality are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, UK & Ireland, Australia. One of them is I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.6084, released March 1, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILSA 12.6084, ILSA 6084, ALARM 1, ALARM 12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 24-126084-1A1 B and 24-126084-1B-1 A. 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.
