Artist
Friendly Fires
Crate Digger's Guide
- Studio Medium:
- Friendly Fires primarily recorded using digital audio workstations during the late 2000s, with an emphasis on synthesizers and electronic elements.
- Pressing Plants:
- Key records were pressed at plants like Optimal Media and MPO in Europe, known for high-quality vinyl production.
- Lacquer Cut:
- Their production often features wide frequency ranges, which can impact inner-groove tracking by requiring precise cutting to maintain sound quality at lower volumes.
- Matrix Runout:
- Collectors should look for matrix codes such as 'FIRE 001 A' or 'FIRE 001 B' to identify authentic first pressings.
Vinyl Collector Intelligence
- Grail Pressing:
- Dating back to 2008, the original XL Recordings pressing stands as the definitive vinyl grail for Friendly Fires collectors.
- Best Reissue:
- For an accessible alternative, the 2018 Warner Music 180g remaster of 'Friendly Fires' delivers exceptional pressing precision.
- Mastering & Translation:
- The dense multitrack vocal harmonies and electronic sub-bass frequencies characteristic of Friendly Fires's production demand a stable microlinear stylus to prevent high-frequency sibilance.
- Shelf Alternatives:
- Crate companions that natively share this specific vinyl profile include Passion Pit (Frenchkiss) and Cut Copy (Modular Recordings).
