Vinyl pressings
by The Dream Academy · 1985
Life In A Northern Town 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.
35 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
NEG 10 A // ∇ 420 U 1 2 1 ƱTOPIA DAMONTRunout side A variant 1
NEG 10 B// ∇ 420 U 1 2 1 DAMONTRunout side B variant 1
NEG 10 A // ∇ 420 U 1 1 ƱTOPIA 2 1 DAMONTRunout side A variant 2
NEG 10 B// ∇ 420 U 1 1 DAMONTRunout side B variant 2
NEG 10T A // 3 ▽420 U 1 1 1 0Runout, A-side, stamped
NEG 10T B // 1 ▽420 U 1 1 4Runout, B-side, stamped
UTOPIARunout, both sides, etched
NEG 10 A // 1∇420 U 1 3 1 Damont ƱtopiaSide A runout
NEG 10 B // 1∇420 U 1 2 1 DamontSide B runout
NEG 10 A // 1∇420 U 11 3 ƱtopiaSide A runout
NEG 10 B // 1∇420 U 11 2Side B runout
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 | Warner Bros. Records 7-28995First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 03380First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 03380First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88417First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records PRO 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 338-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 995-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 443-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 841-7 / Reprise Records 928 841-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Blanco Y Negro NEG 10 / Blanco Y Negro 249146-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 8995-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-490 / Warner Bros. Records 7-28841First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
38 vinyl pressings of Life In A Northern Town are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Blanco Y Negro NEG 10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NEG 10, NEG 10T, 7-28841, PRO-A-2393) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NEG 10 A // ∇ 420 U 1 2 1 ƱTOPIA DAMONT and NEG 10 B// ∇ 420 U 1 2 1 DAMONT. 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.
