Artist
Morrissey
Crate Digger's Guide
- Studio Medium:
- Morrissey’s peak recordings utilized analog multi-track magnetic tape, primarily during the late 1980s and 1990s.
- Pressing Plants:
- Core records were primarily pressed at facilities like CBS Records and later at EMI.
- Lacquer Cut:
- His music features a broad frequency range, which can lead to inner-groove distortion if not cut properly, especially in lower frequencies.
- Matrix Runout:
- Collectors should look for etchings like 'SRT' or 'MPO' in the matrix runout to verify authentic 1st pressings.
Vinyl Collector Intelligence
- Grail Pressing:
- Dating back to 1988, the original HMV pressing stands as the definitive vinyl grail for Morrissey collectors.
- Best Reissue:
- For an accessible alternative, the 2017 BMG 180g remaster of 'Viva Hate' delivers exceptional pressing precision.
- Mastering & Translation:
- The sharp mid-range transient spikes and acoustic engineering in Morrissey's master cuts require precise tonearm calibration to clear heavy vocal peaks without inner-groove distortion.
- Shelf Alternatives:
- Crate companions that natively share this specific vinyl profile include The Smiths (Rough Trade) and David Bowie (RCA).
