Innuendo A2/B2 Original UK 1st pressing 1991

This stunning first pressing has immaculate audio, the best I have heard in a long time. The cover and lyric inner are also in fantastic condition. Rarely seen in this condition today

PCSD 115 // A-2U / B-2U / Stampers D

The audio on S1 is Near Mint Mint for the vast majority

The audio on S2 is Near Mint Mint for the majority / track 4 Ex to Near Mint

The cover is Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is in lovely condition and has only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines and there are only a couple that are a little more obvious. There are no scratches and whilst there is a little hazing over two areas on S2 it has no affect on the superb audio at all. In fact judging by the spindle wear it has only been lightly played in the last 27 years. There are only two mega small spindle traces on S1 and just a little more on S2. It still has a very glossy sheen and is a very clean example for a genuine first pressing. There are not too many around like this today

Play grading

Innuendo begins in impressive fashion with only a couple of seconds of light static on the intro. As soon as the vocal starts the audio is stunning There is such depth and power and no interference of any kind. There is no distortion on the top end, it really is a superb listen. The quiet Spanish guitar section just has a little static at the start and then plays very clearly indeed, in fact this section is one of the cleanest I have heard in a long time as so often it is badly affected by crackle...but not here The remainder plays with fantastic accuracy. A couple of gentle ticks but no other background and overall this this is a superb example of this classic. I m Going Slightly Mad has a very minor hiss on the intro but it is very much in the background and non-intrusive. It then plays with mega impressive clarity and not one single click or pop and grades as Mint- it is that good. Headlong is also worthy of that grading, the quality is second to none. It plays with tremendous power and depth and no interference whatsoever. The two final tracks I Can t Live With You and Ride The Wild Wind again play to the same standard with stunning clarity and precision. It is worth repeating there are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle here at all. There is a minor amount of static hiss between the tracks on this side and does not affect the immaculate quality of the audio in any way. A superb S1 in anyone s opinion.

All God s People plays loud and true from the very first groove. The first relatively quiet section plays as new and the same can be said for the rest of the track, it is absolutely stunning It plays with incredible power and definition. Wow There are just a minimal amount of crackle on the fade out. The classic These Are The Days Of Our Lives could not play any better really. There is no obvious background and the clarity is superb. A lovely version without doubt. The quirky Delilah is Mint and plays without fault. Don t Try So Hard has one click on the intro and 3/4 seconds of very light static hiss and then plays nigh on perfectly for the remainder with no interference. A high end version for certain. The Hitman as you would expect plays with mega powerful sound and there is no distortion, just a mild hint of static on the fade out. Bijou often plays with static/crackle being such a quiet track but this version has none of that and plays with a very impressive clarity and warmth. No clicks or pops either. The Show Must Go On is near perfect throughout and plays with an incredible power and sonic quality. This track is so often affected by distortion but again, as if further proof was needed, this vinyl has only ever been lightly played and there is no deterioration in sound quality at all. This is an absolutely breathtaking version the likes of which are rarely heard today. There are plenty of shivers down the spine moments I have to re-iterate it is a fantastic version and even the long quiet fade out has barely any background . A stunning end that is for sure, wow

In summary this is the most impressive first pressing of this album I have sold in along time. The audio is superb and plays with great clarity and precision throughout. Yes a little static hiss between tracks but it does not then roll over into the music so is obviously totally non-intrusive. The cover is also in fantastic condition, it is practically as new , and the lyric inner is 100 perfect. This would be a great addition to any near mint / mint collection.

The Cover

This cover is the cleanest example I have seen in a long time and many I m sure would grade it as Mint it is that good. It has retained its white look extremely well and has been incredibly well looked after down the years, hardly handled I would say. The edges and spine are in perfect condition and there is no corner wear either. The opening edge also has no handling wear. The front cover is so beautifully clean how rare is that? and has only a very minor sticker removal mark top right. I am sure the camera will not pick it up and I only noticed it when I held the cover up towards the light at a certain angle It really is extremely faint. The back is also in supreme condition. Very possibly the most impressive first press cover you are ever likely to see

The Lyric inner

In 100 perfect condition there are no splits, no creasing and no marking. It could not be any better.

The labels

They are in superb shape with no marking/writing and only a couple of tiny spindle traces on the S1 label and only a little more on S2.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / BW 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PCSD 115 // A-2U / B-2U / Stampers D

I grade according to Record Collector guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask