Vinyl pressings
by Tonio K. · 1978
Life In The Foodchain was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
P AL 35545 2B F4 yumps MASTERED BY CAPITOL C KP I AM NOT AFRAID 1SSide A runout, var.1
P BL 35545 2D F5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL FOOIE Ⅱ KPSide B runout, var.1
PAL-35545 2C F3 SX T MASTERED BY CAPITOL DON'T VOTE KP Ƨ 1SSide A runout, var.2
PBL-35545 2A F3 SX T yumps MASTERED BY CAPITOL ENJOY TRANSCENDENTAL ICE HOCKEY D3 KP 1SSide B runout, var.2
PAL-35545 2B F4 yurps MASTERED BY CAPITOL A2 KP 2 I AM NOT AFRAID SRunout A etch / MASTERED... stamped
PBL-35545 2A F3 yumps MASTERED BY CAPITOL Enjoy Transcendental Ice Hockey B2 KP S1Runout B etch / MASTERED... stamped
AL 35545Matrix A on label
BL 35545Matrix B on label
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A stamped
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B stamped
I AM NOT AFRAID PAL-35545 2B F4 YurpsSide A etched, Variant 1
PBL-35545 2A F3 Yurps ENJOY TRANSCENDENTAL ICE HOCKEYSide B etched, Variant 1
AL35545-1A-2HZD |Side A runout
BL35545-1B-2HZD DM-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3982First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PE 35545 / Full Moon PE 35545First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Epic EPC 83607First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 3982First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | US | Full Moon JE 35545 / Epic JE 35545First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Full Moon JE 35545 / Epic JE 35545First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35545 / Full Moon JE 35545First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35545LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35545First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Europe | Epic EPC 83607 / Full Moon EPC 83607LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Epic EPC 83607LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Epic 25.3P-135LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Epic PE 35545 / Full Moon PE 35545LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Epic PE 35545 / Full Moon PE 35545LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Life In The Foodchain are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Australia, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Full Moon JE 35545.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JE 35545, ELPS 3982, PE 35545, EPC 83607) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 35545 2B F4 yumps MASTERED BY CAPITOL C KP I AM NOT AFRAID 1S and P BL 35545 2D F5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL FOOIE Ⅱ KP. 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.
