Special Specimens You Should Know
- For record collectors, the appeal extends beyond the music itself.
- In the mid-1980s, Bon Jovi faced immense pressure while recording their third album, 'Slippery When Wet.' After a previous album underperformed, the band needed a hit.
- To complement the album, Bon Jovi produced a limited run of vinyl records filled with water, a literal interpretation of the album's title.
Beyond black: Exploring the Wildest Vinyl Record designs
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- Beyond black: Exploring the Wildest Vinyl Record designs
- Beyond Black: Exploring the Wildest Vinyl Record Designs
For record collectors, the appeal extends beyond the music itself. The visual presentation, from album art to the record’s design, holds notable value. Many artists are now pushing the boundaries of vinyl aesthetics, creating unique and sometimes outrageous designs.Here are five standout examples of special vinyl records.
bon Jovi: ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986) – Liquid Assets
In the mid-1980s, Bon Jovi faced immense pressure while recording their third album, ‘Slippery When Wet.’ After a previous album underperformed, the band needed a hit. They delivered with tracks like “You Give Love A Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which became enduring classics.
To complement the album, Bon Jovi produced a limited run of vinyl records filled with water, a literal interpretation of the album’s title. These aqueous records quickly sold out upon re-release and remain highly sought after by collectors.
The Flaming Lips: ‘The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends’ (2012) – Bloodlines
The flaming Lips took the concept of special edition vinyl to another level. Ten copies of their album ‘The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends’ were filled with blood, not just any blood, but blood donated by celebrities such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Sean Lennon, son of john Lennon.
These unique records reportedly sold for the equivalent of 2,400 euros each, with proceeds going to charity.
Talk Talk: ‘Living In Another World’ (1986) – Shape Shifters
The EP for Talk Talk’s single ”Living in another World” challenges the conventional image of a vinyl record. Its unusual shape prompts the question: is it a butterfly or a tiger? This release proves that vinyl records don’t always have to be black and round.
Toto also experimented with unconventional shapes, releasing their hit “Africa” on a record shaped like the continent of Africa.
Ray Parker Jr.: ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984) - Aromatic Vinyl
“who you gonna call?” Ray Parker Jr.’s iconic theme song for the film ‘Ghostbusters’ remains one of the most recognizable tunes in music history. to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, Parker released the song on white vinyl with a marshmallow-scented record cover.
Pea Brain: ‘ADHD EP’ (2014) – Miniature Mayhem
Punk musician Pea Brain released the ‘ADHD EP’ in 2014. This compilation stands out not only for its raw music but also for its size. At just 2 inches in diameter, it’s the smallest vinyl compilation ever pressed. Despite its size, it contains eight songs from six British punk bands, each lasting approximately 10 seconds.
Beyond Black: Exploring the Wildest Vinyl Record Designs
What makes some vinyl records so unique?
For many vinyl record collectors, the appeal extends far beyond just the music itself. The visual aspect, from the album art adorning the cover to the record’s design itself, plays a meaningful role in the overall experience and value. This has led many artists to push the boundaries of vinyl aesthetics, creating unique and often outrageous designs.
What are some examples of highly unusual vinyl records?
Here are a few standout examples of artists who have experimented with vinyl record designs:
Bon Jovi: ‘Slippery When Wet’
Concept: Liquid Assets.
Details: To complement their hit album ‘Slippery When Wet’ wich was released in 1986, Bon Jovi produced a limited run of vinyl records filled with water, a literal interpretation of the album’s title. These “aqueous” records where quickly snatched up by collectors.
Why it’s special: This visually captures the album’s name,making it a collectible item.
The Flaming Lips: ‘The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends’
Concept: Bloodlines.
Details: Ten copies of ‘The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends’ were filled with blood donated by celebrities.
Why it’s special: This takes the concept of a “limited edition” to a whole new level.
Talk Talk: ‘Living In Another World’
Concept: shape Shifters.
Details: The EP for Talk Talk’s single “living in Another World” was shaped unconventionally.
Why it’s special: it challenged the conventional round shape of a vinyl record.
Ray Parker Jr.: ‘Ghostbusters’
concept: Aromatic Vinyl.
Details: for the 30th anniversary of the film ‘Ghostbusters,’ Ray Parker Jr. released the song on white vinyl with a marshmallow-scented record cover.
Why it’s special: Added a sensory experience to the listening experience.
Pea Brain: ‘ADHD EP’
Concept: Miniature Mayhem.
Details: Released in 2014, the ‘ADHD EP’ by Pea Brain is the smallest vinyl compilation ever pressed, measuring just 2 inches in diameter.
Why it’s special: The record’s tiny size makes it a unique novelty item.
What materials are used to make unusual vinyl records?
The material used often depends on the design concept.some examples include:
Water: As seen on the Bon Jovi record.
Blood: As used by The Flaming Lips for a truly unique release.
Scented Materials: Like the marshmallow cover of the Ghostbusters vinyl.
* Standard Vinyl: For the music itself, with the unusual feature being the physical shaping or size.
Did other artists release unusually shaped vinyl records?
Yes! In addition to Talk Talk, whose “Living in Another World” EP had an unusual shape, the article mentions that the band Toto also experimented with shapes, releasing their hit “Africa” on a record shaped like the continent of Africa.
how much are these unique vinyl records worth?
The value of these special edition vinyl records can vary widely.
| Artist/Album | Unusual Feature | Estimated Value (Based on Source) |
| :———————————— | :———————– | :———————————— |
| Bon Jovi – ‘slippery when Wet’ | Water-filled | Highly sought after (specific price not mentioned)|
| The Flaming Lips – ‘Heady Fwends’ | Celebrity Blood-filled | Approximately 2,400 euros |
| Ray Parker Jr. – ‘Ghostbusters’ | Marshmallow-scented cover | value not Specified |
| Pea Brain – ’ADHD EP’ | Smallest vinyl ever pressed | value not Specified |
| Talk Talk – ‘Living In Another World’ | Unconventional shape | Value not Specified |
Note: Values can fluctuate based on factors like condition, rarity, and collector demand.