Vinyl pressings
by Thomas Dolby · 1988
Aliens Ate My Buick 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.
18 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 15 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.
MTL 1020 A-2-1- DSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
MTL 1020 B-1U-1- DSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
MTL 1020 A-2-1- DSide A runout, stamped, variant 2
MTL 1020 B-1U-1- 1- DDSide B runout, stamped, variant 2
E1-1-48075-22 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30615-22 FUTURE DISC △19938 1-1 SPO-1 AL-SPRunout side A, variant 2
E1-2-48075-22 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30616-22 △19938-X SPO-1 1̷-̷2̷ AL-SPRunout side B, variant 2
E1-1-48075-Z2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30615-Z2 FUTURE DISC △19938 1-1 SPO-1 AL-SPRunout side A, variant 3
E1-2-48075-Z2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30616-Z2 △19938-X SPO-1 1̷-̷2̷ AL-SPRunout side B, variant 3
E1-1-48075-Z1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30615-21 FUTURE DISC △19938 1-1Runout side A
E1-2-48075-Z1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-30616-2 △19938-X 1-1Runout side B
EI-48075-A 1S1Runout, Etched, Side 1
EI-48075-B 1S1Runout, Etched, Side 2
MAN 748075 A 7P EMIDISC DMMRunout (etched) side 1
MAN 748075 BRunout (etched) side 2
MAN 748075ALabel side 1
MAN 748075BLabel side 2
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 | Australasia | EMI-Manhattan Records MAN 748075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Manhattan Records 064 748075 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | EMI-Manhattan Records E1-48075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI-Manhattan Records 1C 064-7 48075 1 / EMI-Manhattan Records 7 48075 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI-Manhattan Records 1C 064-7 48075 1 / EMI-Manhattan Records 7 48075 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | EMI-Manhattan Records 062-7480751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | EMI-Manhattan Records 48075LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Israel | Portrait MTL 1020-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI-Manhattan Records 64 7480751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | EMI-Manhattan Records 7480751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | EMI Music South Africa (Pty) Ltd. ST(L) 7480751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Hispavox (590) 7480751 / Hispavox 590 74 8075 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | EMI-Manhattan Records MTL 1020 / EMI-Manhattan Records 74 8075 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | EMI-Manhattan Records E1-48075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | EMI-Manhattan Records E1-48075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3794 / Artone Label Group MOVLP3794LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3794LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Aliens Ate My Buick are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1988 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is EMI-Manhattan Records MTL 1020.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MTL 1020, E1-48075, RP28-5616, MAN 748075) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MTL 1020 A-2-1- D and MTL 1020 B-1U-1- D. 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.
