Queen : News Of The World 1/2 1st Press

This genuine first press plays with stunning audio and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  I sold a pristine example back in September and this one is just as good.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is equal to that of an unplayed record and it goes without saying that there are no clicks, pops or static on show.  For a first press to play as clearly as this is a real rarity and is easily a FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic.  It certainly has the wow factor!

The cover is also in great condition with only one minor rub on the bottom edge and the lyric inner is in superb order with only very minimal wear, it is very clean!

EMA 784 // YAX 5355-1 / YAX 5356-2 / GOT 2 / RGH 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The lyric inner is Ex

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

The classic 'We Will Rock You' plays with impeccable audio from the very first foot 'stomp'!  The clarity, power and depth of the audio is flawless and I only detected a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  A superb Mint start to the album.

The opening verse on 'We Are The Champions' plays to perfection with not even a single dust tick and the first chorus is of the same high end standard.  It proceeds in the same way with a clarity that is second to none and the entire track can accurately be described 'as new' the sonic quality is that good.  This is a sublime Mint version.

As this is such a clean vinyl 'Sheer Heart Attack' plays with a power and definition that cannot be faulted.  The audio is so strong and deep and as always my only complaint is that Roger's drums are not higher in the mix!  Mint

The quiet piano intro on 'All Dead All Dead' is as 'fresh' as the day when the vinyl was first pressed and Brian's first vocal is just as impressive.  It continues to play with beautiful audio with literally no intrusion on the audio.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks but that is not interference!  It is rare for this track to play with such incredible clarity and yet the audio here is 'crystal clear' and that applies to the fade out.  What a version!  Mint in every way.

The piano intro on 'Spread Your Wings' again has no 'background' and the first verse and chorus do not disappoint either.  It continues to play with a quality that defies the age of the album (45 years old!) and there is no distortion either.  The long fade out is near perfect with just a couple of very light ticks and two clicky static sounds right at the end when the music is barely audible.  The track has basically finished by then so I still think it deserves a Mint- grade.

'Fight From The Inside' for once plays with very 'clean' audio and by that I mean no inner groove distortion.  A genuine rarity in my opinion and especially on the 1/2 first pressings.  This indicates just how infrequently this record has been played.  A Mint version to end the side.

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The intro on 'Get Down Make Love' plays perfectly with not even a single dust tick and Freddie's opening vocal is equally as 'clean'.  This also applies to the first chorus and this 'high end' standard is prevalent throughout I am pleased to say.  The psychedelic section is 'as new' and the final vocal section has no 'background' either.  Zero.  A Mint track from start to finish.

The bluesy 'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' plays with great depth and resonance and...no sign of any interference.  The audio is so deep and rich and again the sonic quality is equal to that of an unplayed record.  Mint

'Who Needs You' plays with STUNNING precision for a relatively quiet number.  The clarity could not be enhanced in any way and 'as new' can again be used, no exaggeration.  Every section plays beautifully with no intrusion, not one dust tick, and Mint is an easy grade to give.  Wow!

Brian's quiet intro on the classic 'It's Late' could not play any better and the first verse and chorus are just as strong.  It continues to play with tremendous power and depth and the 'heavy' section is amazing!  The playback is faultless and there is no distortion, it demands to be turned up to max!  The last verse and the classic end chorus more than keep up this fine standard as does the final 'heavy' section.  Once again I am confident in grading this as Mint it just could not play any better.

The gentle 'My Melancholy Blues' ends the stunning album with exceptional clarity once more.  It's rare for this track to play so clearly and how often have I found all the other tracks to play with great quality and then this one doesn't?!  A fair number!  With only a couple of dust ticks on the gentle piano intro you could arguably say this is perfect audio from beginning to end.  Needless to say there are no clicks or pops and of course there is no static, even the fade out has no 'background'. I will grade as Mint- just to err on the side of caution.

In summary this first pressing plays with a clarity and definition that is so impressive.  You would not be disappointed if you had just purchased this 1/2 first pressing brand new from a record store that is a measure of how clean and clinical it is and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album.  You might one or two clicks on a super clean vinyl but that is not the case here!  Audio does not get any better.  A STUNNING album.

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

This iconic cover has been so well preserved and the only obvious wear is one small 'rub' on the bottom edge as you look at it next to the spine.  The four 'side' edges are in perfect condition and the wide spine remains very strong with only a couple of minor specks and that small rub area just above 'The'.  The corners have barely any wear and the opening edge is in pristine condition.  The front and back cover are unmarked and could not look any better and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no damage to the inner spine.  A superb cover overall.

The paper lyric inner (with rounded corners) is certainly one of the cleanest you will find today as it is so clean with no marking or creasing.  There is just one very small on the right edge and an even smaller rub on the bottom edge.

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

Any questions please feel free to ask

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