Budgie : In For The Kill! A1/B1 1st Press

This very collectable first pressing on the 'rainbow' MCA label plays to a fantastic standard with only a little interference at the beginning of S2.  The clarity and power on offer here is stunning!

The cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear and the inner sleeve is very clean with no splits.

MCF 2546 // A - 1 / B - 1 // RA 2 / RM 2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint- (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro VG+) 

The cover is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in excellent condition and retains a high glossy sheen.  There are only a small number of very faint hairlines and whilst there is an obvious scuff line on track 1 of S2 it has no affect on the audio whatsoever.  There is also a very fine short scratch at the start of S2 which causes a little interference as detailed below, nothing major though.  It is very difficult to spot!  There is hardly any spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2 so the record has definitely not been overplayed.  The run out grooves and labels are also very clean with no marking.

Play grading  

'In For The Kill' has an intro that can only be described as Mint the audio has no 'background'.  This clarity is prevalent throughout and you could not wish for a more impressive opener.  What is obvious on such a clean vinyl is the depth of the audio, the playback is so clear and the bass so strong, I'm not sure I've heard a deeper sound on any other vinyl!  All I heard was a couple of inconsequential dust ticks and this is Mint- from start to finish.  The fade out also plays with perfect precision.  A fantastic start for sure.  

The classic 'Crash Course In Brain Surgery' is of the same immaculate standard and again the depth of the audio is off the scale!  So deep and rich it's unbelievable!  This is stunning hard rock at its very best and it plays with 'high end' quality with only a couple of static ticks near the end.  Because of that I will grade it as Near Mint but in essence the majority off this superb track is 'as new'.

The intro on 'Wondering What Everyone Knows' plays with a clarity that is so rare to find on these first pressings.  I am delighted to say it continues to play with sublime audio and only a small number of mega light dust ticks.  Blink and you miss them!  This acoustic number is easily Near Mint although the vast majority is far better than that!  I am already running out of suitable adjectives for the quality of the audio on this side!

Again the quiet intro on 'Zoom Club' has no obvious 'background' the playback is just stunning!  There is the lightest of background static on the next section but once the volume 'picks up' you cannot fail but be impressed by the power and depth of the music.  The first chorus is 'as new' and this level of clarity and power is maintained to the very end.  The rhythm section provides a perfect accompaniment for Phillips' sublime work and this is an IMMENSE powerhouse of a track that impresses on every level.  There are a couple of light ticks as you approach the end but they are so much in the background and could easily be missed.  There is no inner groove distortion and Near Mint is a fair reflection of the audio, but as I often say, much of the majority is better than that!  A stunning version!

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The quiet intro on 'Hammer And Tongs' plays very clearly but there is a light tick per revolution of the record due to the very faint scratch that I mentioned earlier.  Once the guitars come in there is no such issue and the playback is as per S1, deep and powerful with no distortion.  The remainder of this heavier section is nigh on perfect and the next quieter passage plays with barely any static.  The closing solo plays with superb precision and the long fade in particular could hardly be any clearer.  It gives you a good indication of the clarity on offer here.  I would grade the intro the intro as VG+ with the remainder as Near Mint.

'Running From My Soul' is absolutely stunning!  From the first groove to the last there is no 'background' and a Mint grade is well earned here.  No more needs to be said :-)

'Living On Your Own' is almost of the same standard with dynamic strong audio throughout.  There are no clicks or pops and again it plays with a definition and sonic quality that only comes from a well kept vinyl.  The 'quieter' section at the halfway mark plays with great clarity and only the bare minimum of mega light static.  From then on the audio plays to a wonderful standard with no intrusion and again the depth of the sound is 'high end' to say the least.  I think the drums from new member Boot add an extra dimension to this track.  So often it's about the guitars, bass and vocals with Budgie but the percussion here and on the entire album adds so much to the overall 'mix'.  To the end this plays with superb precision and Mint- is a fair assessment of the fantastic quality on offer here.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays with a depth, clarity and sonic quality in equal measure.  It's just the intro on S2 that has a little interference but in all honesty it is not major and the remainder of the side plays to a wonderful standard.  Both sides have barely any static and there is certainly no crackle and this is a vinyl that has only been lightly played over the years.

The Cover

The laminated cover is in excellent order with very little shelf wear.  The edges and spine have no rubbing and the corners have only very minimal wear.  The opening edge is near perfect with only a couple of minor indents.  The front cover has no marking and has just one small laminate crease and a few creases around the edges.  As can be seen it also has a £2.89 price sticker!  The back cover is even better with just a handful of small creases next to the spine.  Overall this is a fine example of this cover.

Inner Sleeve

The plain white die-cut inner is in excellent condition with no splits, marking and barely any creasing.  I'm not entirely sure if it is the original one though.

The Labels

The MCA labels are in lovely condition with no marking and only a little spindle wear on S2.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

MCF 2546 // A - 1 / B - 1 // RA 2 / RM 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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