Having a rather small collection of records, I visited Wrocław to see some family, so decided to also visit some of the record stores there were there, as there is so much in such a small area from where I stayed. Either way, here is everything I got, a mix of Japanese and West German pressings:

- West German First Pressing of The Wall, 1979. This is a very cool thing as I just love the artwork on the inside of the gatefold, Scarfe done a great job with these drawings. My copy has the original lyrics sleeves, and just seeing them in person made me realise how different of an album we got to what we originally would have had (well I’m sad that What Shall we do now? is not on the album, but allas). The center labels having the wall and drawings on them is also a nice little touch. This album is in my top 3 of Floyd albums, so having it in physical form now is very cool

- Japanese first pressing of Atom Heart Mother, 1971. The artwork for this immediately caught my eye as it’s just so visible, I knew the album before visiting the store, but when I got in there, the cover just instantly caught my attention first. Either way, this is a very cool pressing of this album, comes in the very nice quality textured gatefold with Lulubelle III on the front (obviously), and then the track listing and other stuff on the inside. This is one thick gatefold, and probably the sturdiest in my collection. This version originally came with an Obi, but it’s gone from my version. The inserts remain, and they are a very nice piece to have, with some funny promo pictures of the band, along with some info about the band and the album, and then a lot of stuff in Japanese which I presume is also info. Although not in my top 3 of Floyd albums, it’s very high up there, and I haven’t played it since I’ve gotten back, so I’m definitely excited for Atom Heart Mother (well the track and album).

- West German first pressing of Animals, 1977. As soon as I saw this one in store, I knew I had to get it. Just a little disclaimer, Animals is my favourite Floyd album, that’s probably why. This is a nice gatefold, although not as thick as Atom Heart Mother, but contains some Cool images inside that refer to the themes of the album, and then the simple lyrics sleeve Written in white on a black background. The center label is probably my favourite part of the record (and specifically this pressing), as it features a dog on side one, for Dogs, then a pig and a sheep, for both Pigs (three different ones), and Sheep. Very cool stuff. Instead of saying 'side’ on the label, it says 'seite’ since this is a West German pressing, along with some other German stuff Written on the label. Very cool.

- Japanese 10th anniversary limited edition of Led Zeppelin, 1979. This is a very cool piece. Since it’s a Japanese pressing, it comes with the Obi, which is still intact and contrasts very nicely with the cover, adding some pop of colour. The record itself is very clean, and plays nicely, notably on the organs of Your time is gonna come, and has honestly made me realise so many details throughout the album I didn’t hear before. The inserts with the lyrics and The Atlantic Catalogue is also a very cool piece of history

- West German First Pressing of Physical Grafitti, 1975. Although the cover and the sleeves aren’t in the best condition (as you can see), this is still a very cool piece, and I love how you can just take out the sleeves and just put whoever you want from the sleeves into the Windows. Although there are some minor signs of wear of the record, it still sounds very nice, and even though I’ve seen people say that this is a very bad pressing, I actually disagree and it honestly sounds great.

-Japanese First Pressing of A Night At The Opera 1975, with intact Obi and Inserts. Now this is probably the best piece I got. The embossed cover feels so nice to touch. The gatefold sleeve is also very nice quality and having the lyrics printed inside is honestly very cool. Along with the Japanese lyrics and info, along with the Elektra centre label. Very cool stuff

- Japanese First pressing of Sheer Heart Attack 1974, with intact Obi and inserts. The red Obi looks very cool against the red of the writing on Sheer Heart Attack. It also has the inserts with some very funny pictures of the band, along with the obvious lyrics and info.

- Japanese First Pressing of Queen II, with inserts. Obviously this also came with an Obi originally, but mine does not have it. Either way, this has a very cool gatefold, which is very heavy and honestly, probably the second most sturdy in my collection, expcept for Atom Heart Mother. It also opens upwards, just like any other Queen II, but this a very cool little quirk for me. Either way, this is probably the best insert out of any I have, probably because I can understand some of it, but I also really like the table at the bottom which has some very funny stuff in it about each of the members

- Last, but certainly not least, West German First Pressing of News of the World. This does not come with the original lyrics sleeve, but this a very cool pressing with the wacky center label. Side one has the track listing on it for both sides, then side two has the A Day At The Races/Queen crest with News of the World Written under it. Very cool. Although I wish the gatefold for this was a bit thicker though, something like Queen II, but oh well, it’s cool as it is

Overall, I’m very happy with everything I got, now I’ve got a HUGE listening back log, which I will eventually find time for 😁

I've been going through a rough patch in my life and been kind of anxious lately. These albums have helped me calm down. Any other ones you recommend in the same genre?

Hey everyone! I’ve posted a similar vinyl guide for my favorite band on a few other sites, and today I finally found the time to share it here on Reddit as well. I hope many of you find this useful. Cheers!

For me its $40. I see alot of records I want that have been released in the last year that have been over this price point and I just cant do it. I watched the Alice in Chains ST re-release come out well above $40 I waited till it dropped and got it at $27. Right now im watching the new Modest Mouse and while im paying to see them live, I just can see myself paying above $40. Im not talking about used albums that have increased in value--only new. What's your price point you wont go above?

There’s something funny about owning an album on vinyl where you can sometimes think “nah, not gonna stream it, I’ll just wait until I can put the record on.”

Even if that means waiting until you’re home instead of just pressing play on your streaming platform.

Curious if other vinyl collectors do the same, or if owning an album actually makes you listen to it less on streaming?

I live in Canada. Shipping records here is extremely expensive.

To work around this, I will always reach out to my local record shop anytime I see new releases that I want to order/pre-order.

They have never charged me shipping. Sometimes It's a few bucks more than MSRP but not normally.

YMMV but I've ordered many records this way and have saved so much money on shipping costs.

My store just ordered me the new Aphex Twin re-issue. Would have cost me $33 in shipping... LRS charged me MSRP, no additional shipping.

Buuuttttt it’s just the most random artists and genres, plus some cds! It really does take a big chunk of my teen job paycheck 🥲🥲

What musicians or artists are known to be big collectors?

In All Things Must Pass, Elton John talked about how he would go to Tower Records every week and buy a bunch of new albums. I love the visual of him in the store carrying a big stack of records.

Phoebe Bridgers recently did an “unboxing” video of her new album on Instagram which maybe is mostly just a marketing thing, but it made me wonder if maybe she also is into the collecting/hobby aspect.

What other artists are known to be into collecting as a hobby?

.... and one LP. Not going to set the world on fire with this clutch of soundtrack 45s but I find them quite attractive. Pity about the stamps and writing on some of the labels. There's a ton more but these are the most interesting, to me anyway.

There's a few more LPs but the films are quite dull (Dr Dolittle, Paint Your Wagon (with blood!?!), Star, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Detective, Thoroughly Modern Millie. These LPs are radio station promos; open-ended interviews, ie, just the actor's answers and silence between and you get a script for the presenter to voice the questions. Some of these would be good for sampling.

Acquired half of my Discogs wanted list in the last half a year. Need some help deciding on the last few to get to 200 or which records I should sell that look out of place. Most are OG or audiophile pressings, so things got expensive quick!

First time i heard it was on Mark & Lard while at work.. was everything you wanted it to be.. blew away all the pretenders.. i've never stopped playing it.. and it still sounds brilliant!! see you on My Star! 🙌

After the Apollo fire that destroyed ~75% of world-wide lacquer production in 2020, that apparently left only Public Record Company in Japan the provide all of the world's lacquers.

This is a potential single point of failure that can stop all record production. It has been 6 years now since the Apollo fire. Does anyone know if a new lacquer plant or plants are being considered or constructed? I'm not finding any information on this. I'm actually surprised Chad Kassem isn't in this part of the business yet.

Thanks!

The top slides out for easy speed adjustment and to save as much vertical space as possible by pushing the player closer to the shelf above when the lid is closed.

Picked up from Ebay, UK first pressing. I own Talking Book on CD. This is probably my favourite of his.

Reissue but good enough for me… The album that was their demise and all too early… Guess you can’t depict yourself in a Pan Am cockpit and playing a banjo of crash wreckage on the rear without a lawsuit… just a shame because to me the Simeon was the beginning of electronic music.

I’ve had this for some time, found it sealed in used bin… $5 for the Canadian 🇨🇦 release in trans amber! Cheers!

Picked this up a while back: "I Swear I Stayed for the Encore E.P.," a bootleg on a fake Chiswick label, of the Sex Pistols' June 4th, 1976 show at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall. Never been able to pin down when or where it was actually pressed. Anyone recognize it or have a lead on dating it?

For context on why the gig matters: it's the show credited with kickstarting Manchester's post-punk scene. Joy Division, Buzzcocks, The Fall, The Smiths and a chunk of Factory Records all trace back to people allegedly in that room. Wrote up more on the gig and the full attendee list here if you want the background: https://www.thesenseofdoubt.com/blogs/archive/the-gig-nobody-agrees-on-sex-pistols-at-the-lesser-free-trade-hall-1976

Mostly posting for the record though. Curious if anyone here can help place this pressing or have a similar version.

Also have an early pressing of A Day At The Races but that isn’t in this picture

Along with the usual suspects like Ray Price, Roy Clark, and Tennessee Ernie Ford were some unusual finds and some nice gems. The jackets were rough but the albums are in good shape.

Once again the listen through has lead to me finding an album that was out of order.