Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1984
Word Of Mouth was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AL8-8264-SA-3 MASTERDISK RLVariant 1 side A
AL8-8264-SB-3 MASTERDISK RLVariant 1 side B
AL8-8264-SA-1 MASTERDISK RLVariant 2 side A
AL8-8264-SB-2 MASTERDISK RLVariant 2 side B
AL8-8264-SA -1 MASTERDISK RL I A2CRunout side A, variant 1
AL8-8264-SB ̶4̶ 1 MASTERDISK RL I A1 IRunout side B, variant 1
AL8-8264-SA ̶4̶ 2 MASTERDISK RL 1 A3 ARunout side A, variant 2
AL8-8264-SB 2 1 MASTERDISK RL A 1ARunout side B, variant 2
AL8-8264-SA-5 MASTERDISK RL EMWSide 1 runout, EMW in cursive
AL8-8264-SB”-5 MASTERDISK RLSide 2 runout, EMW in cursive
DM 206685 A 1/84SSide A, runout, variant 1
DM 206685 B 1/84SSide B, runout, variant 1
DM 206685 A 1/84S 1-IISide A, runout, variant 2
DM 206685 B 1/84S 1-IISide B, runout, variant 2
VG 60014 ARunout side 1
VG 60014 BRunout side 2
DM 206685 A 1/84SSide A, stamped in Runout
DM 206685 B 1/84SSide B, stamped in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL 88264 / Arista AL 8 8264First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL8-8264 / Arista AL-8-8264LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Italy | Arista ARS 39197 / Arista 77 ARS 39197First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | Arista LA-617First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Mexico | Arista LA-617First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Arista L 38298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Arista I-206685First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL 8-8264First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 206 685First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Arista 062-VG 60014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Arista 206 685First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Arista RTLP-16063 / Arista 206 685First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90118First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL 8-8264First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL 8-8264LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Velvel VEL-LP-79829LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | US | Friday Music FRM-88264 / Arista FRM-88264LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Arista FRM-88264 / Sony Music Commercial Music Group FRM-88264LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Friday Music FRM-988261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
27 vinyl pressings of Word Of Mouth are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Europe, Greece, Ireland and more. One of them is Arista AL 8-8264, released November 19, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 8-8264, 206 685, 062-VG 60014, RTLP-16063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL8-8264-SA-3 MASTERDISK RL and AL8-8264-SB-3 MASTERDISK RL. 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.
