David Bowie SCARY MONSTERS - 1980 LP RCA Victor AQL1-3647 1st Press VG/VG/VG

$

15

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), also known simply as Scary Monsters, is the fourteenth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 12 September 1980 through RCA Records. His first album following the Berlin Trilogy (Low, "Heroes" and Lodger), Scary Monsters was Bowie's attempt at creating a more commercial record after the trilogy proved successful artistically but less so commercially.

Unlike the improvisational nature of prior releases, Bowie spent time writing the music and lyrics; several were recorded under working titles and some contained reworked elements of earlier, unreleased songs. The album cover is a large-scale collage featuring Bowie donning a Pierrot costume, with references to his prior releases on the rear sleeve.

The album's lead single, "Ashes to Ashes", revisited the character of Major Tom from "Space Oddity" and was promoted with an inventive music video. Scary Monsters garnered critical and commercial acclaim: it topped the UK Albums Chart and restored Bowie's commercial standing in the US, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. Scary Monsters would later be referred to by commentators as Bowie's "last great album" and a benchmark for subsequent releases. It was Bowie's final studio album for RCA and the final collaboration between him and Visconti for over 20 years. Several publications have considered it one of the greatest albums of all time. 

Bowie did not release another studio album until Let's Dance, released in April 1983. Scary Monsters was also Bowie's final studio album for RCA Records, who had been his label since Hunky Dory (1971). Bowie had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the label, who he felt was "milking" his back catalogue. Although RCA was willing to re-sign, Bowie signed a new contract with EMI America Records, and with Let's Dance, began an era of major commercial success.

THIS COPY is a 1st Indianapolis pressing on the RCA Victor label (see Notes, below).

The vinyl has some marks (not scratches). Per a test listen, although there was some background crackle in some places, overall the vinyl is in Very Good [VG] or better condition.

The original cover, while still bright and sturdy, shows some light signs of handling - a couple of wrinkles, a stain in the lower right corner on the front - but over all, it is in Very Good [VG] or better condition. 

The original inner sleeve, which features lyrics on both sides, has a couple of small seam splits and some wrinkling.  Overall,  it is in Very Good [VG] condition.

 Notes

© 1980, RCA Records Inc.
© 1980 Bewlay Bros. Music
© 1980 Fleur Music Ltd.
© 1980 Double Exposure Music, Inc.

Greg Calbi initials in the runout justifies Lacquer Cut By credit.

'STERLING' and 'A1,' 'A2,' 'A5,' etc. stamped in runouts, the rest etched.
In variant 12: side A, AQ P̶A̶ L, 'PA' is s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶

RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis identified by "Ⅰ" in runout. A 1" diameter pressing ring seen on label are characteristic of RCA pressings from 1968-70 onwards).

Issued with printed inner sleeve with lyrics/credits.

Roy Bittan appears courtesy of the E Street Band
Robert Fripp appears courtesy of E.G. Records Ltd.
Pete Townshend appears courtesy of Atlantic Records

Barcode and Other Identifiers

Rights Society (A1 to B2, B4, B5): BMI

Rights Society (B3): ASCAP

Matrix / Runout (Side A label): AQL1-3647-A

Matrix / Runout (Side B label): AQL1-3647-B

Pressing Plant ID (Matrix/Runout, All sides, All Variants, Stamped): Ⅰ

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 1): AQL-1-3647 A 1 STERLING A1 Y

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 1): AQL1-3647-B-1 STERLING A5 Q

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 2): AQL•1•3647• A-1 STERLING gc A2 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 2): AQL1•3647• B-1 STERLING A1 E E

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 3): AQL•1•3647• A-2 STERLING gc A1 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 3): AQL•1•3647• B-2 STERLING A1 D

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 4): AQL•1•3647•A•1 I STERLING gc A1 B

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 4): AQL1-3647•B-1 I STERLING A2

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 5): AQL•1•3647• A-2 I STERLING gc A2 B

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 5): AQL1 3647- B2 I A1 L STERLING

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 6): AQL 1 3647 A 1 STERLING gc A2 II

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 6): AQL1 3647 B I A4 L STERLING

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 7): AQL•1•3647• A-1 I STERLING gc A1 L

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 7): AQL1-3647•B-1 I STERLING A1

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 8): AQL•1•3647•A•1 I STERLING gc AJ C

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 8): AQL1-3647•B-1 I STERLING A1 N

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 9): AQL•1•3647•A•1 I STERLING gc A1 C

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 9): AQL1-3647•B-1 I STERLING A1 GG

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 10): AQL•1•3647•A•1 I STERLING gc

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 10): AQL1-3647•B-1 I STERLING A4 F

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 11): AQL•1•3647• A-1 I STERLING gc A1 L

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 11): AQL1-3647•B-1 I STERLING A1 0

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 12): AQ P̶A̶ L-1-3647-A2 I STERLING gc A2 B

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 12): AQL-1-3647-B-2 I A1 L STERLING

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, variant 13): AQ A̶Q L1-3647-A2 I STERLING gc A1E

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, variant 13): AQ L1-3647-B-1 STERLING A1 GGG

ENJOY!