The Complete Guide to Collecting My Bloody Valentine on Vinyl
My Bloody Valentine revolutionized alternative rock with their groundbreaking shoegaze sound, making their vinyl releases among the most sought-after in modern music collecting. From the seismic 'Loveless' to the long-awaited 'm b v', their limited discography commands premium prices and passionate devotion from collectors worldwide.
Essential My Bloody Valentine Albums on Vinyl
The cornerstone of any collection is 'Loveless' (1991), widely considered one of the greatest albums ever made and essential on vinyl for its dense, immersive production. 'Isn't Anything' (1988) represents their breakthrough and is equally crucial for understanding their sonic evolution. The EP compilation 'EP's 1988-1991' captures their creative peak between albums, while 'm b v' (2013) ended a 22-year silence and deserves a place in every serious collection. Don't overlook early releases like 'Ecstasy and Wine' (1987) for a complete picture of their development.
Rare and Valuable Pressings
Original UK Creation Records pressings of 'Loveless' from 1991 are the holy grail, particularly first pressings with the CRE LP 060 catalog number and specific matrix etchings. First pressings of 'Isn't Anything' on Creation (CRELP 040) similarly command high prices, especially in excellent condition with original inner sleeves. The original 'You Made Me Realise' EP (1988) and 'Feed Me With Your Kiss' (1988) on Creation are increasingly rare and valuable. Japanese pressings from the early '90s often feature superior vinyl quality and additional inserts, making them desirable alternatives. The 2012 reissues overseen by Kevin Shields are sonically excellent but lack the collectibility of originals.
Collecting Tips
Authenticate original Creation pressings by checking matrix runout etchings and verifying the specific catalog numbers against discography databases like Discogs. Look for the distinctive Creation Records label design and quality of the inner sleeves, which often featured band photography or artwork. Be cautious of the numerous reissues and bootlegs, particularly of 'Loveless'—original pressings have specific weight and feel that experienced collectors recognize. Matrix numbers in the deadwax are crucial: original UK 'Loveless' pressings typically show specific codes that vary between side A and B.
Price Guide and Market Trends
Original UK pressings of 'Loveless' in VG+ or better condition regularly sell for $200-500, with mint copies exceeding $800. First pressings of 'Isn't Anything' typically range from $150-350 depending on condition. Original Creation EPs can fetch $50-150 each, with 'You Made Me Realise' at the higher end. The market has steadily appreciated over the past decade as shoegaze's influence has grown, making My Bloody Valentine vinyl a solid investment for collectors who prioritize both musical and financial value.
Key Pressings and What Sets Them Apart
Loveless is the big one, but there are a few practical tells collectors use to separate an early copy from the many later reissues. Original UK Creation pressings from 1991 typically come in a glossy sleeve with the familiar Creation branding and machine-stamped matrices, while the fully analogue Kevin Shields-supervised reissues from 2018 are cleaner, quieter pressings with different contemporary manufacturing marks and generally more substantial packaging. With Loveless in particular, buyers should always compare label text and deadwax rather than relying on hype stickers, which are easy to lose or swap. Isn’t Anything has a similar split. Early Creation copies have period-correct labels and UK manufacturing traits that differ clearly from the 2018 all-analogue reissue and the separate cut sourced from digital files. That distinction matters because sellers sometimes list all recent reissues as equal when they are not. For EP material, Glider and Tremolo are worth close inspection. Original 12-inch Creation issues have their own sleeve and label layouts tied to the early-90s run, while later compilations and represses can mimic the look without matching the original print finish or runout style. Feed Me With Your Kiss is another title where first-issue Creation label design and authentic deadwax details are far more reliable than cover wear or seller description alone.
What Drives the Price
Condition has an outsized effect on My Bloody Valentine records because so much of the appeal is sonic detail. A copy graded Near Mint can bring dramatically more than the same pressing in Very Good condition, especially for Loveless or the early EPs, where surface noise cuts against the whole listening experience. As a rule, a clean, complete copy with sharp sleeve edges and no spindle wear can be worth two to three times a more worn example. Rarity matters, but so does which kind of rarity you are dealing with. True first UK Creation pressings usually lead the market over later UK represses and standard modern reissues. Promo copies and white labels can carry a premium when provenance is clear, though not every promotional marking guarantees a major jump. Country of pressing also affects value: UK originals are usually the benchmark, while later European or US reissues tend to be more accessible. In broad terms, standard recent reissues often sit around $25 to $45, depending on title and condition. Clean originals of Isn’t Anything or the major EPs often land in the roughly $80 to $250 range, while Loveless first pressings in strong condition can move well beyond that, commonly into the several-hundred-dollar bracket. The spread comes down to grading, completeness, confirmed pressing details, and how many trustworthy copies are available at any given moment.
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