Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1987
The Road was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MCA - 7440 MASTERDISK DMM 1 EDP M1 SF1 SM1Runout side A, variant 1
MCA 7441 MASTERDISK DMM EDP M1 SF1 SM2 IRunout side B, variant 1
MCA 7440 MASTERDISK DMM EDP M1 SF1 SM1Runout side A, variant 2
MCA 7441MASTERDISK DMM I THINK IT'S TIME ---> EDP M1 SF1 SM1 ---> THAT THESE GUYS RETIRERunout side B, variant 2
MCA-7440 MASTERDISK DMM 11 EDP M1 SF1 SM3 JP 1Runout A
MCA 7441 MASTERDISK DMM JP 1 EDP M1 SF2 SM2Runout B
MCA7440Label A
MCA7441Label B
828 081-1 S1 | PACLZ-4112-1Side A runout
828 081-1 S2 | PACLZ-4113-13NOV87Side B runout
828 081-1 S1Side A label
828 081-1 S2Side B label
1 A 828 081-1 S1 PACLZ - 4112 -- 1 MASTERDISK DMMSide A runout
1 A 828 081-1 S2 PACLZ-4113-13NOV87 MASTERDISKSide B runout
828 081-1 S 1Side A label
828 081-1 S 2Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-42107LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 081-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | London Records L28P 1260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-42107LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | USA & Canada | MCA Records MCA-42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | London Records L28P 1260First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 081-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | London Records 828 078-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | London Records 828078-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Mexico | London Records LPR-54070 / London Records 828 078-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | London Records 828078-1 / London Records 828 078-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-42107 / MCA Records MCA 42107LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
17 vinyl pressings of The Road are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Germany, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-42107.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-42107, 828 081-1, MCA 42107, L28P 1260) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA - 7440 MASTERDISK DMM 1 EDP M1 SF1 SM1 and MCA 7441 MASTERDISK DMM EDP M1 SF1 SM2 I. 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.
