Cassino – Kingprince (1st, 2nd & 3rd Press)

Cassino’s Kingprince is the third release on Collective Confusion Records. The label went all out with the pressing, giving the double LP a silk screened jacket, a lyric insert on the same heavyweight paper the jackets were printed on, adding on a few bonus track to the record that were taken from Cassino’s The Weight Of Bother and a digital download of the entire album plus the bonus tracks taken from the vinyl master. The bonus tracks in order of appearance were “The Man’s Throne (Full Band),” “Cannonball (acoustic),” “Maddie Brown (alternate)” and “Cannonscore.” They were placed at the end of the Kingprince album.  Fans of Cassino and Northstar were very excited about the release and snatched up copies pretty quickly, as the pressing sold out in just a few days.

There were 250 total copies pressed spread across four colors (which goes by color of the jacket); 100 copies on black vinyl with white jackets and 100 copies on clear blue vinyl in blue jackets. There was also a secret variant that went into random orders, which was on black vinyl housed in a black jacket, which has glow in the dark ink that appears grey when under light. The insert for the secret variant was printed with the same glow in the dark ink as well.

The secret variant was limited to 25 copies and was given out in place of one of the regular variants (black and clear with blue ink) for those who ordered a bundle. People who bought the bundles were able to opt out of the running for a secret variant; I opted to leave my name in the hat and was lucky enough to receive a copy of the secret variant. All copies were hand numbered on the back of the jacket. The way the numbering was done for the regular variants (white and blue jackets) had every copy be /200, with the white copies getting the even numbers and the blue copies getting the odd numbers. The secret variant was numbered /25.

Collective Confusion did an interesting thing with the few overrun copies of the record, printing up new jackets for them, which were green. These green jackets were limited to 25 copies and were also hand numbered like the rest of the pressing. Another oddball variant was a result of overruns and any issues at the hands of the USPS customers had after receiving their orders. There are only two copies with a blue jacket and one black LP and one clear with blue ink LP, which I was fortunate enough to get my hands on. Since these were overrun copies they did not come with inserts. These two variants went up for sale in August. The entire pressing of Kingprince is now OOP with no plans to re-press it as of writing this.

When people started receiving their orders for the record, someone made it known that he felt the blue jackets were not blue, or not blue enough for his liking. As I have all the variants for this record I can assure everyone that the blue jackets are in fact blue and you can see the difference between the white and blue jackets. Especially when side by side, which you can see in the pictures below as I am purposely placing the white and blue jackets next to each other. To make a long story short, Mike from Collective Confusion addressed the concerns about the blue jacket, stating the blue chosen for the jackets turned out to be lighter than expected. Another important thing to note with this release is how it was handled. Other labels can look at Collective Confusion and take notes on how to operate. Throughout the entire process of releasing this record, Collective Confusion openly communicated with the vinyl community, which was a much welcomed breath of fresh air as countless labels both big and small ignore people. Mike, who runs the label, did not shy away from answering everyone’s questions and concerns regarding the release, he gave full details about the pressing as soon as he confirmed them and was also up front with the timelines of the release.

In early February 2013 Collective Confusion announced Kingprince would receive a re-pressing. The second pressing was done as a double LP and was limited to 300 copies spread across three colors, once again with color matching silk screened jackets. There are 100 copies each on black, green and cream. Collective Confusion had some help with the release from three other small indie labels; Workingman Records, Thunderbeard Records and Boshkung Records. The three variants were therefore named after those respective labels. The cream was the Collective Confusion Records varaint, black the Thunderbeard Records variant and green was the Working Man Records variant. Collective Confusion offered a bundle with all three colors available along with some copies of each color individually.

Like with the first pressing there was a secret variant of sorts that went out into random bundle orders in place of one of the regular variants. This “special jacket” was autographed by the band and I beleive was printed on a different color paper than the main variants. I also beleive the color of the records with the special jacket was random but was one of the three regular variants (black, green or cream). There were test pressings for the second pressing.

There are some subtle differences between the two pressings. The center labels are different between them, which you can see in the pics below. The artwork is also slightly different, which you can compare in the pics below as well. The second pressing does not come with an insert; rather the lyrics are printed inside the sleeve. As for sound, I did not notice one pressing being superior over the other. They both sound great.

Surprisingly Kingprince received a third pressing. This time on a new label; Near Mint Records. Let me just preface this addition/edit ot this entry as Near Mint is a gimmicky label. While they may be eclectic in terms of what they press and who they roster, they charge premiums for nonsensical variants, like sand filled records for $125 before exorbitant shipping. But that is neither here nor there.

Thankfully, for their pressing of Kingprince Near Mint did not go completely over the top. They only did their typical obi strip/ “Japanese obi strip” variant, which cost $5 more than all the other variants. They also appeared to literally make up variants as they went along. So with all that said, there may be some confusion with pressing info revolving around it.

The label says there are 50 copies pressed on black vinyl with the “Japanes obi strip”/obi strip, and then there are also 200 copies on black vinyl without the obi strip. So are there 250 total copies on black vinyl, or are there only 200 total copies pressed on black vinyl and out of those 200 copies 50 are taken out to make the obi strip variant? Anyone’s guess. My money is on the idea there are 250 total copies on black vinyl, and there is a subset variant out of that comprising 50 copies that come with the obi strip. But I have seen shady shit with variant adds-ons like silk-screened covers with alternate artwork that are a part of a wider color variant; like 500 copies on green vinyl but then at a later point 100 copies of that green vinyl miraculously turn out to come with an exclusive silk-screened cover that has alternate art.

The rest of the pressing info is very straight forward; 100 on white marble, which was a label club exclusive, and 200 copies on clear w/ black smoke. The aforementioned made up on the fly variant has the club exclusive colorway of white marble, which comes in the jackets the label created for the test pressing. This made up variant is apparently limited to only one copy, which the label listed for sale on their Instagram stories (where I saw it, so that is not to say they didn’t use other means to advertise it being for sale) for $45. I’m also going to throw in here that Near Mint is one of a growing number of labels that actively sells some of their test pressings, which they list in their web store in the drop down menu of variants. For this release they did 20 test presses, of which I do not know how many were actually for sale.

So if you’re doing the math at home, that makes for a total of 550 (not counting over/under runs) copies if you prescribe to the idea that each variant adds up to the total amount pressed. Or if you prescribe to the idea that Near Mint is shady and/or greedy (they’re definitely greedy; there is no way around that), or a more realistic order placed at a pressing plant for 500 total copies, which has the obi strip variant taken out of the run of black vinyl.

All copies of come in an actual jacket this time, and a gatefold one to boot. But there is not insert; the lyrics are printed in a tiny font, likely in an attempt to squeeze everything in to one panel of the gatefold. Say what you will about the first two pressings not coming in an actual jacket; at least they had an insert. Near Mint, for whatever reason, apparently likes to use re-sealable poly sleeves for their releases rather than shrink wrapping. There is a hype sticker affixed to the top right corner of this poly sleeve, which is the same for all the variants. So no denotation of color/variant, and thusly it just states the entire pressing is limited to 500 copies.

On top of all that, Near Mint routinely partners up with Unoriginal Vinyl; a sadly un-ironic name because all they do is retool other people’s artwork to suit the vinyl format. That is all they do. Nothing more, nothing less. They make tweaks here and there to make artwork not appear blurry or pixellated when it’s enlarged to be printed on an LP jacket. They may do consulting work to make suggestions on packaging; but in my opinion (lots of others’ too) it’s a BS tactic to either make more money or fulfill a contractual obligation. Let’s be serious; how much sway or input does a label truly need to make a release a gatefold jacket or upgrade to higher quality material? None? Ok then. Or maybe, it’s a actually a case of ‘Oh… THANK YOU! We’re idiots over here. We had no idea a double LP should come in a gatefold jacket instead of this cheap jacket that has a slightly larger pocket!’

That is likely the extent of Unoriginal Vinyl. I have no idea what they charge clients. But odds are they make more money than they should. And it’s no coincidence they don’t have any big name clients; i.e. major labels. Boutique meets mullet natty light chic that passes on the upcharge to even bigger idiot customers.

At this point I want to point out I did not pay full price for the third pressing. I waited to buy this until the label ran an appropriate sale. And even then, the label does NOT accept Paypal. They ONLY accept credit cards that are directly entered into their web store via the check out process. One of only a handful of labels that flat out refuse Paypal. The obi strip variant cost $35 before shipping and taxes (should they apply), while all the other variants cost that were available to the general public cost $30 before shipping and taxes (should they apply).

It’s also at this point that I want to point out that Near Mint started selling copies of the supposed label club exclusive to the general public at a price of $35 before shipping and taxes (should they apply). At some point they also started selling “test presses” with alternate artwork that were limited to an advertised 20 copies for $90 before shipping and taxes (should they apply).

You see readers, this is why I call things as I see it. It’s one thing for a small business to try to make ends meet. And it’s an entirely different thing for greed to set in and then all of a sudden realize you bit off more than you could chew and try and retroactively snatch as much money out of people as possible. This pressing of Kingprince did not sell well, for a likely multitude of reasons. The rarest variant, the /50 obi strip is the only one to sell out as of posting this.

So is this release/pressing overprice; definitely. Yes, some variants of earlier pressings of Kingprince have sold for over $100 on the secondary market. But does that mean there is a huge demand for copies? Clearly no. This third pressing is the only one thus far to come in an actual jacket, which is where Unoriginal Vinyl comes in.

For this release, Unoriginal Vinyl makes some tweaks to the original album art, which was already intentionally (for whatever reason) out of focus/hazy/obscured/soft; whatever you want to call it. Yes, the quality of the artwork of the first two pressing along with the choice of sleeves instead of jackets was an obvious cost cutting/savings move on the tiny Collective Confusion label (a true mom and pop basement (likely not run out of mom’s basement, but that s the expression) run operation). In the grand scheme of things, there are miniscule, and I cannot stress this enough; miniscule improvements made to the artwork when it comes to the third pressing. The only true upgrade is the fact that Kingprince finally comes in an actual jacket; and it just so happens to be a gatefold.

One last note, which Near Mint FAILED to mention and definitely should have, is the fact they THEY chose to not make their pressing of Kingprince an actual, true double LP. The D-side is egregiously left blank. No mention of that fact anywhere. Meanwhile, they will gladly ask you to pay $30 plus for a copy of what they feel is the superior pressing. This pressing/release is not re-mastered like Near Mint went all out on with Forgive Durden’s Razia’s Shadow.

I’ve made additions to the photo gallery below to include the third pressing. It will be the last couple photos, but it will be tough to tell because I already own and posted copies on black vinyl and the “improved” artwork done by Unoriginal Vinyl is hardly noticeable…

Senses Fail – Still Searching [1st Press & 3rd Press (Deluxe Edition)]

The vinyl pressing of Still Searching is one of if not the first releases on Staple Records, which I believe is run by Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail and is part of the Workhorse Music Group. There were 1,000 copies pressed of the record split across two variants; red/black swirl limited to 200 copies and 800 copies on clear coke bottle. The red/black swirl copies were exclusive to Senses Fail’s webstore and the clear coke bottle copies are a Hot Topic exclusive that has yet to go on sale. The red/black swirl copies are already sold out, which happened the first day pre-orders for it went live.

As part of Vagrant Records’ 25^th Anniversary series/pressings (yes, these are still being released in 2022; 27 years after the label’s founding), Still Searching was re-pressed, yet again as part of one of the label’s anniversaries. But for this pressing it’s the deluxe edition track listing, with the record being expanded to a double LP to accommodate the six bonus tracks.

I’m not if pressing the deluxe edition of the album was ever in the cards, and if so if Vagrant decided to wait to do it as part of the 25 year series, but it’s something that was long overdue. Personally, I love this deluxe edition. As opposed to so many other deluxe editions or re-releses that included bonus tracks of any variety, whether they’re b-sides from the recording session, acoustic takes or demos, often times the bonus tracks are subpar. Most of the bonus tracks are great, and they include one of my favorite Senses Fail songs, “Stretch Your Legs To Coffin Length.” The other added bonus (no pun intended) is that there are six bonus tracks; far more than the typical two or three tossed in to entice people to buy another copy of an album.

This deluxe edition vinyl release, which is the third overall pressing of the album (but you can make the case that this is its own, separate pressing). It was pressed on four variants, with all of them being exclusive to one place or another. There is a Zia Records (Southwest indie record store chain, used to be solely in Arizona but expanded to Las Vegas) exclusive on black w/ “heavy” yellow splatter limited to 500 copies, a Newbury Comics exclusive on green & orange limited to 1,000 copies, an indie record store exclusive on magenta limited to an unknown amount and a Vagrant web store exclusive on yellow w/ magenta and black splatter limited to an unknown amount.

The magenta indie store exclusive is opaque. The Newbury exclusive turned out being green & orange marble. Both the Newbury and Zia exclusives have their own unique hype sticker on top of the Vagrant 25 hype sticker that all variants have. The wording on the Vagrant 25 hype sticker is odd, reading ‘limited vinyl color.’ Only the Newbury and Zia hype stickers mention the color and how many copies of it were pressed. One interesting fact about the Zia exclusive is that the mock up used depicts it being yellow w/ black splatter.

As of posting this update (October 2022), only the Zia exclusive has sold out. Prices for this pressing vary depending on where you buy it. Newbury, of course, charges the most, coming in at $40 before shipping and taxes (should either apply). Vagrant charges $36 before shipping and taxes (should they apply). Zia charged $35 before shipping and taxes (should either apply) for their exclusive variant, while charging $36 for the indie store variant. I guess that’s one way of ensuring you move your store’s exclusive variant first while also selling the other exclusive variant you have access to. Most indie stores will be selling this for no less than $35 unless they’re running a sale.

After seeing how quickly the deluxe edition pressing sold, I reluctantly spent for than I’d have like on a copy. But it was the best option I had left in my opinion, taking advantage of a sale an indie store was running while getting free shipping on the order in the process.

All in all this deluxe edition pressing is overpriced. I understand inflation and all the reasons contributing to it, but prices on records were steadily going up long before Covid and the 2022 recession governments around the world are refusing to acknowledge while at the same time taking actions to attempt to stem inflation that are only making things worse. There is no reason this double LP in a gatefold jacket should cost almost $40. Other than adding the bonus tracks, the gatefold imagery is the same exact layout used for the insert from the first pressing. I highly doubt any of the songs on this release were mastered/re-mastered for vinyl. While this pressing sounds good, there is a negligible difference between the studio album copy of the first pressing of this album and the deluxe edition re-press, despite the studio album being spread out across three sides on the deluxe edition pressing.

The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten (U.S. Pressing) w/ Bonus 7″ (German exclusive)

While this record has been out for a while, due to extenuating circumstances I just got my copy in last week. While I got in on a group buy for the German release of the LP that included an exclusive 7″ featuring the album’s bonus tracks from the deluxe version, the initial copies sent from Germany were actually the U.S. pressing of the record. Eventually a true Euro pressing was released, which had subtle difference like no anti-piracy warning slapped on the jacket, different Mercury logos, slightly different printed dust sleeve, slightly different shade of blue vinyl, slightly different sticker on the cover, no download code, slightly different band logo and slightly different center labels. I think it also goes without saying that the Euro pressing was done at a different plan than the U.S. pressing, but from time to time I get disgruntled comments blasting me for my omission of that fact.

Initially there were supposed to be 500 copies of the aforementioned bonus 7″, but due to high demand there were 750 copies pressed. The additional copies became available and were announced a few weeks after the album first went up for pre-order. The pre-order with the exclusive bonus 7″ was only available through two German distros, Greenhell and Flight13. After all was said and done it come out to about $30 to get my copy imported from Germany, but this was with a group buy. If you were to buy a copy on your own your cost would have been a decent amount higher.

As for pressing info, nothing official has been stated other than the german bonus 7″, which is limited to 750 copies on blue vinyl. The U.S. and Euro pressings are both on blue 180 gram vinyl. There have been rumblings that the U.S. pressing is limited to 10,000 copies and the Euro pressing limited to 500 copies, but they are only rumors that have, and probably never will be substantiated. It’s important to note the the bonus 7″ does have “promo” printed on the center label.  For the U.S. pressing there is an image of Ian Perkins of The Horrible Crowes printed inside the jacket opening.

Minus The Bear – Infinity Overhead (Ultimate Book & Regular Edition – 1st Press)

When Minus The Bear’s latest album went up for pre-order there were a few options in terms of bundles or package deals available through Minus The Bear’s official webstore. There was the choice to buy just the album on CD or as a digital download. At the time the record could not be purchased on its own, however the record did become available for pre-order through other distros. There was the option that included a choice between two different types of t-shirts (crew neck or v-neck) that featured the same design and a CD or vinyl LP, but with the vinyl option also came an exclusive slip mat. Then there was the pricey, “ultimate book” package, which included a 16 page hardbound book, the CD and vinyl version (exclusive 180 gram black copy) of the album, an autographed lithograph and the aforementioned slip mat and t-shirt. There was also the incentive that 10 random people who ordered the “ultimate book” package would receive a hand written lyric sheet to one of the 10 songs on Infinity Overhead, which was also autographed by Jake. This was one sheet for each song with one going out to each randomly drawn person, not 10 sheets for the same song. All bundles included a high quality digital download delivered via e-mail on release day. The shirt and CD/LP bundle cost $40 and the “ultimate book” package cost $85. Lastly, there were also UK exclusive bundles being sold by Big Scary Monsters (BSM), a UK label. Through the UK route the record was available on its own, or you could buy the two color variants together in a bundle as well. All pre-orders through BSM included a three pin set as well.

At the time pre-orders went up I debated whether or not to pull the trigger on the “ultimate book” package due to the price. After hearing some of the songs off the album and confirming the record would be housed inside the book I decided go for it. After receiving the book earlier this week I do not regret splurging on it. Though advertised as 16 pages, the book is actually 20 pages long. The record  and autographed lithograph each slide into their own page in the book, towards the back of it. The CD is also housed in the book itself as well, resting in one of the pages. It’s held into the book like it would be in a typical jewel case or digipack, only without the actual case. Each book is individually numbered in silver foil stamping on the last page of the book. Since the record is housed inside one of the pages, it does not come with the jacket that it would come with had it been purchased on its own in a store or online. When my package arrived there was a sticker on top of the box indicating it was the  “special edition deluxe set” even though none of the packages were actually called that. I’m assuming all orders for the “ultimate book” bundle had the same sticker on the package. Unfortunately I was not one of the lucky ones to receive a hand written lyrics sheet. Below you will find pictures of every included with the “ultimate book” bundle except the t-shirt, and this may be the first place to post pictures of every page of the book.

Infinity Overhead was pressed on two colors in the U.S. and possibly two colors in the UK. For the U.S. pressing there is black 180 gram limited to 1,000 copies, which is exclusive to the “ultimate book package” and clear, which is appears to be unlimited at this point and will be kept in print on for the time being. For the UK there is blue limited to 200 copies and clear limited to 300 copies. The UK blue was exclusive to BSM. The UK clear is more opaque and the U.S. clear is more of a traditional clear. Both pressings came in the same gatefold jacket with the same  full color printed dust sleeve. I am pretty positive that the deluxe book is now OOP, since the band is no longer selling it. There are a few places taking preorders for a 50 page book edition, but I have emailed Dangerbird and they confirmed to me that there is only one book version, the 16 page one they offered for pre-order. So do not order from anywhere stating they are selling a 50 page book of Infinity Overhead, as that product does not and will not ever exist.

Minus The Bear – Steel And Blood 7″

The latest 7″ from Minus The Bear is a UK exclusive released by Big Scary Monsters. There were 300 copies pressed on red vinyl, with each copy being hand numbered on the back of the jacket. The jacket is also die cut, which you see in the pictures below. The dust sleeve is also full color, which shows through the die cut portion of the jacket. There is also an exclusive b-side found on this 7″ entitled “Surf n Turf.” This 7″ is now OOP and sold out in a few days after being put up for pre-order.

Harvard/HRVRD – The Inevitable And I (1st & 2nd Press)

Harvard’s aka HRVRD’s debut album released by Enjoy The Ride Records. This will be the only pressing of the album that features the band’s name original name, Harvard, before changing it to HRVRD. For those needlessly hating on Enjoy The Ride for being one of those labels that only license albums to press on vinyl, here you go; an album from a band signed to ETR.

As mentioned above, this first pressing will be the only one that will have ‘Harvard’ printed on the cover. All subsequent pressings will have the band’s new name, ‘HRVRD’ printed on the cover and anywhere else it applies. This first pressing also features spot gloss printing on the gatefold jacket and is accompanied by an exclusive DVD featuring a documentary and live footage.  there were 500 total copies pressed split across three colors; black 180 gram limited to 100 copies, sea green with blood splatter limited to 200 copies and ocean blue swirl limited to 200 copies. Some refer to the sea green with blood splatter as “peacock” after seeing how the finished records look. You can see a picture of that color on ETR’s website. The black 180 gram copies were a tour exclusive and some copies could also be bought at indie record store Lunchbox Records in North Carolina, the band’s home state. At some point ETR started selling a handful of copies of the black 180 gram in their web store.

Enjoy The Ride broke up the pressing to try an accommodate a bundle deal that included the band’s second album, but that kind of fell through after the band signed with Equal Vision Records, who seem to want to wait and release HRVRD’s sophomore album in 2013. ETR started selling some of the 200 copies of the ocean blue copies in their web store sometime during the Summer of 2012 (the CD version of the album was released in April 2012). The first pressing is completely sold out.

In early 2013 the second pressing of The Inevitabl And I was released, which underwent some changes from the first press. Most noticeable is the name change on the cover from ‘Harvard’ to ‘HRVRD.’ Secondly the jacket is no longer a gatefold and the printing of the jacket is different as well, as there is no spot glossing. Also gone is the insert, which is not included with the second pressing. The spine is also different in color with the second pressing, it’s now purple instead of a tan or light brown color. While most of Enjoy The Ride’s releases to date have been top-notch quality, this re-press of Harvard/HRVRD’s debut album seems cheap. Granted I’m only saying that based on the quality of all their other releases, and had this second pressing come out on another label it would pass for great. I know they went above and beyond, sparing no expense with the first pressing, so the cheapness quality of this re-press just stands out more. It’s not terrible by any means, just sub par based on Enjoy The Ride’s previous release.

There were three variants for the second pressing. There 200 copies pressed on clear with blue, oxblood red and yellow splatter, 100 copies on solid blue/clear swirl with oblood splatter and 300 copies on solid blue. The solid blue was a Hot Topic exclusive and the sold blue/clear swirl with oxblood splatter was only available in a bundle deal from Enjoy The Ride with the first pressing of HRVD’s sophomore album From The Bird’s Cage.

Far – In The Aisle, Yelling 7″

One of the few records Far released, and this is the only one that is not a split. I do not know how many copies were pressed, but this 7″ was released by Pazzafist Records. When these pop up for sale, which they rarely do, they tend to go for around $30.

Onelinedrawing – reVisitor

Recently Jonah Matranga set out to re-record the Onelinedrawing album Visitor, which was timed to celebrate the album’s 10th anniversary. The newly recorded version was entitled reVisitor, and saw a release digitally as well as on CD and vinyl. The vinyl version was pressed as a picture disc limited to 500 copies. Each copy of the record came signed also came signed by Jonah. As has been the case with Jonah lately, he self released this latest musical endeavor.

 

Hellogoodbye – When We First Met 7″

Hellogoodbye released this single off their sophomore album, Would It Kill You?. It was pressed on two colors, white and clear yellow, both limited to 500 copies each. A download card is included with the 7″,  and it features the exclusive b-side “Not Ever Coming Home.”

Yellowcard – One For The Kids (1st Press)

Yet another moment I dreaded, $hit Radio Cast licensing out another album to press on vinyl that I would want. This one was in the works for years before finally being released. I don’t think $RC will ever win me over enough to patron them on a regular basis, but in terms of actually shipping orders, they held up their end of the deal on this one.  But that doesn’t mean there were no issues regarding this release. The vinyl release of One For The Kids also included a bonus 7″ that featured the bonus track “Rough Draft.” The LP came housed in a gatefold jacket that included a pocket inside the gatefold to house the bonus 7″. I will include pictures of gatefold jacket both with and without the 7″ in it.

While the pressing info was initially advertised to be certain numbers, a few days before the records were set to start shipping $RC came out an said they were “shorted” copies of the least rare color to all of a sudden make it the second rarest color. After the record was released the shadiness didn’t stop either, as another color variant was announced that would be sold exclusively through $hit Topic. A strategic move on their part so they could sell as many copies as they could knowing many people would not buy the record directly from them if given the choice of buying from another distro or store. Had I known that would be happening I would have bought the record from $hit Topic instead of dealing with $RC.

One For The Kids was pressed on four colors for the first pressing, and as mentioned above the pressing numbers drastically changed. Initially there were only three colors advertised on the following amounts; yellow limited to 300 copies, orange limited to 300 copies and white limited to 500 copies. A bit of foreshadowing was done by someone on a message board when he said “this will be pressed to meet demand;” as when all was said and done the numbers dwindled and increased. The final numbers are yellow limited to 300 copies, orange limited to 287 and white limited to 317. The $hit Topic color was red, which was limited to 300 copies. But it’s possible that number is not firm either. The aforementioned bonus 7″ was pressed on two colors, clear limited to 500 copies and black limited to 1,000 copies. Clear copies were randomly inserted into orders, except for those who ordered all three colors as they were guaranteed to get at least one copy of the 7″ on clear. The black copies of the 7″ were initially advertised as “unlimited,” but a few days after the record started shipping $RC announced they pressed 1,000 copies on black. So somehow “unlimited” turned into 1,000.

As most people know pressings tend to overrun or even get shorted from what a label orders. However, I have never seen or heard of a label being shorted close to 200 copies. Typically the highest over/unders go is in the 20 range. When someone asked about the shortage on a message board $RC “operates” they dodged the question. If you ask me it’s no coincidence that the least rare color got shorted to even it out with the rest of the colors. What likely happened was $RC placed the order after seeing what colors were selling well during pre-orders, and seeing they would never sell 500 copies of the white they asked the plant to scale back production of it.

Another interesting thing is that with the official pressing numbers $RC gave comes out to 1,204 while they apparently pressed 1500 copies of the 7″. So there are several scenarios that could play out. 1: $RC is stuck with just about 300 copies of the 7″. 2: $RC will sell the remaining copies of the 7″ at some point. 3: The pressing numbers on the 7″ are wrong. 4: The pressing numbers on the $hit Topic exclusive red copies are wrong. 5: There will be yet another color variant announced limited to however many copies of the 7″ are left. 6: There will be a second pressing of the LP to use up the remaining copies of the 7″.