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Depeche Mode : Songs Of Faith And Devotion A1 / B1 1st Press 1993

This very collectable first pressing plays to a very high standard with exceptional power and depth.  There is only one section that plays with some obvious interference and that is during the intro on S2 before the vocal starts, more on that in my audio grading below.  Aside from that it plays a clarity and warmth that is so impressive with only minimal static on 3/4 intros and on a couple of fade outs.

One reason why this first pressing is so collectable is because the sonic quality is so strong and that is very much in evidence here despite the vinyl not being the best visually.  Don't let that put you off because the majority of this classic album does play with stunning quality!

The cover is still inside its original shrink-wrap and that is obviously very rare.  It's hard to believe this record is now 30 years old!  The cover remains in superb condition and the original HMV price sticker and a sale (!) sticker can be seen on the inside.  The lyric inner is also very clean with no side splits.

STUMM 106 // A1  DMM / B1  TOWNHOUSE DMM DMM

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 & T3 intros Ex+ / T4 intro Ex+ then Near Mint / T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 first 30 seconds VG- / T2 closing instrumental Ex- / T5 opening section Ex)

The cover (in shrink) is Ex++

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in very good condition and whilst it still has a glossy 'look' it does have some hairlines and a couple of marks.  There is a very small mark / scuff on S1 which has no affect on the audio but the small scratch at the beginning of S2 does result in some interference as stated.  These imperfections can only be seen under a bright light and when you look under a more forgiving light it looks very clean!  However, it is not a perfect vinyl and is a prime example of a record playing so much better than its visual quality.  Don't get me wrong though it is by no means in poor condition!  It would not play this well if it was!  The labels are very clean and do not have too much spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'I Feel You' plays perfectly and Gahan's opening vocal is just as strong.  From then on it plays with incredible power and depth and with no interference at all.  This is one that demands to be played loud!  The sonic quality is stunning and the only background is some light static at the end of the fade out.  This is easily a Mint- start to the album.

The intro on 'Walking In My Shoes' is very clean with only a handful of very quiet statics at the start and the opening verse plays with perfect clarity.  The first chorus again plays with imperious power and depth and this level is kept up throughout.  I cannot emphasise enough how well it plays - no ticks, clicks or pops and if the intro is Ex+ then the rest is Mint- with just a little more static at the end of the fade out.

'Condemnation' has only minimal static on the intro and then plays with stunning quality from that point on.  Visually the vinyl may not be perfect but so far there is no denying the audio quality.  The intro is Ex+ and then Mint- for the remainder.

The intro on 'Mercy In You' has only minimal static then plays with exceptional power and clarity and just one static tick during one of the brief instrumental interludes.  The intro is Ex+ and is Near Mint from then on.

'Judas' ends the side with very impressive audio.  The uilleann pipes intro has barely any static and Gore's opening vocal has no intrusion.  It continues in the same way - a quieter track and yet it plays with wonderful clarity and with a warmth and depth to match.  The closing instrumental section has only a couple of minor ticks and Near Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio.  Mint- might be nearer the mark!

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The quiet intro on 'In Your Room' has the first real interference on the album.  It plays with one click per revolution followed by a small number of light ticks which lasts for 30 seconds.  Gahan's opening vocal then plays very clearly with barely any static and as the volume increases the playback is STUNNING!  The sonic 'landscape' is unbelievably strong and there is a real depth and resonance to the music.  The mid instrumental is 'as new' and the rest of this classic does not disappoint either.  The intro may be VG- but the rest is Mint- and that includes the long fade out also.

The intro on 'Get Right With Me' is so clean with barely any static and the first vocal is faultless.  It continues to play with superb audio and the actual 'song' grades as Mint- but I the closing instrumental is Ex- due to a little static here and there.

'Rush' plays with great quality from the word go and this level does not drop as it progresses.  The quiet mid section plays so clearly with only 2/3 very light ticks which are not intrusive and as the volume picks up again the audio is superb right to the very end.  Mint-

'One Caress' plays with great clarity for a relatively quiet track with only a couple of mega light ticks on the intro and there are certainly no clicks or pops.  In fact the more I listen to it the more I am impressed by it!  It has to grade as Mint- the playback is fantastic!  The strings add so much to this track.

The intro on 'Higher Love' has only very minimal quiet static and the opening vocal is similar.  Nothing intrusive basically.  As the volume increases the audio is very strong and it continues to play with great quality.  For a final track the sonic quality is superb and you cannot fault the playback.  The opening section is Ex and the rest is Mint- with only a couple of static ticks right at the end of the fade out.

In summary this first pressing plays with stunning audio for the vast majority and there is only one section that you would say is obviously intrusive.  This is during the intro on 'In Your Room' but it's before the track has really 'got going' which is kind of good news!  Aside from that this classic album plays so well with only a little static on 3/4 intros and at the end of a couple of fade outs.  The reason why this first pressing is so collectable is because it is so damn good and it certainly ranks as one of their best.  Like I say, outstanding clarity, depth and power for the vast majority.

The Cover & Lyric Inner

The cover as stated is still enclosed within its original shrink-wrap and has the original price sticker and a sale price sticker (can you believe!) on the inside.  Only the opening edge 'area' is open - there are 3/4 very small rubs / crimps on this edge and some minor wear on the bottom corner but aside from that it remains in superb condition with no other wear.

The lyric inner is in great order with no side splits with only minimal wear on the bottom edge.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

STUMM 106 // A1  DMM / B1  TOWNHOUSE DMM DMM

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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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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