Vinyl pressings
by Trans-X · 1983
Message On The Radio was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
DM-4 MLP-010A SNB ELVariant 1 Side A run-out area
SNB EL DM-3 MLP-010BVariant 1 Side B run-out area
MLP-010A SNB EL DM-3Variant 2 Side A run-out area
MLP-010B SNB EL DM-6Variant 2 Side B run-out area
SNB MLP 010-A-2 CRCEtchings Side A
MLP 010B-2 CRC SNBEtchings Side B
815 519 - 1 S1 320 1 ARunout side A
815 519 - 1 S2 320 1 NRunout side B
815 519 - 1 S 1 320A-side runout
815 519 - 1 S 2 320B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Matra MLP-010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Matra MLP-010 / Matra MLP 010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 519-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 815 519-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 815 519-1 / Matra 815 519-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor 815519-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Polydor 815519-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Italy | Matra INT 20396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | Musart 60750 / Musart EDI - 60750First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 815 519-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Polydor 815 519-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Atlas 815 519-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | Polydor 27144LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0481LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Message On The Radio are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1983 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Canada, France, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Matra MLP-010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MLP-010, 815 519-1, 815519-1, INT 20396) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM-4 MLP-010A SNB EL and SNB EL DM-3 MLP-010B. 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.
