Vinyl pressings
by The Fixx · 1988
Calm Animals was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, the album's first year, in 9 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.
DMC-5616 A-1/12-88 IIRunout side A, variant 1
DMC-5616 B-1/12-88 IIRunout side B, variant 1
DMC-5616 A-1/12-88 IIRunout side A, variant 2
DMC-5616 B-1/12-88Runout side B, variant 2
8566-1-R-A-DMM SOME PEOPLE WISE ... Sterling M SM SM 3Side A, Variant 1, etched
8566-1-R-B-DMM SOME PEOPLE OTHERWISE Sterling M SM SM 3Side B, Variant 1, etched
8566-1-R-A-DMM SOME PEOPLE WISE ... Sterling MI SM SM 3Side A, Variant 2, etched
8566-1-R-B-DMM SOME PEOPLE OTHERWISE Sterling MI SM SM 3Side B, Variant 2, etched
MX302775-B APL16067 MK 1Runout area side A
MX302776 APL16067 MK 2Runout area side B
8566-1-R-ASide A
8566-1-R-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | RCA TLP 90180First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | RCA APL1 6067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | RCA 8566-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 70135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | RCA LA-855 / RCA PL 88566First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | RCA SRPR 184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | RCA PL88566 / RCA PL 88566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | RCA 8566-1-RFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Venezuela | RCA 102-02122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | RCA Victor 150.4003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Spain | RCA PL 88 566 5CLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Calm Animals are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK & Europe, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA PL88566.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL88566, 8566-1-R, APL1 6067, RCLP 70135) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DMC-5616 A-1/12-88 II and DMC-5616 B-1/12-88 II. 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.
