MRS. HIGGINBOTTOM Rules Of Thumbs 12" SYNTH RARE 1983

$

166

MRS. HIGGINBOTTOM Rules Of Thumbs 12" EP
self-released 1983 VG+/NM Unbelievably rare minimal synth masterpiece from San Francisco. This is still pretty much an unknown, having shown up exactly once before, and it sold for $400+. As for a description of the music, I'll crib it word for word from our man GOUTROY:

Whoa buddy.... Here's one you don't see... ever. It's a completely unknown, self-released, virtually uncredited EP called Rules of Thumbs by SF's minimal electronic god(s) Mrs Higginbottom. Six tracks of almost pure analogue electronics full of knob twiddling, key banging, and drum machines. It was released in 1983. Five of the tracks are instrumental, and one has great female vocals, sounding like a slower, loungier early Human League. There's one kinda rock/postpunk song (the only one with primarily guitars) that sounds like an instrumental New Order song. Then there's Fugue of the Feeding Hand, an incredible dark electro track. Imagine Iron Curtain's song Condos, but with no vocals. But nothing compares to the sheer synthmasturbation (hey! A new word!) contained on Gnawing Conscience. It's a few minutes of drum machines and analogue synth twiddling to the Nth degree. Yes, there is something on here for every minimal synth nut. Be sure to get this now before everyone hears of it and it's on everyone's wantlist and purchasing it requires payment in human kidneys.

The cover shows very little wear, but has is slightly furled and has creasing along the top edge. There is a small (approx. 1") split in uper right corner, and the there is chipping on the upper left corner, and a split (approx. 3") along top left (I'm making it sound way worse than it is - I just want to be accurate!). The vinyl itself is pristine, but has a very slight warp that does not affect play whatsoever. From the type of damage this has, my guess is that it was (stupidly) stored at some point with something sitting on it's top edge.

Still, this is an excellent condition copy, and may be your only chance to actually own it without having to give up that aforementioned kidney. Besides, you might not ever see it again. The tracks are: Culprit of Love/ Gnawing Conscience/ Fingerdance of the Law/ Cordless Indoctrination/ Fugue of the Feeding Hand/ The Scentense
power pop, powerpop, punk, kbd, killed by death, powerpearls, power pearls, back seat love, bloodstains, synth, minimal synth, darkwave, synth pop, synthpop, avant synth, avantsynth, new wave, coldwave, cold wave, electro, minimal electro, post punk, postpunk, jangle,

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GRADING GUIDE: Please Note: I will use + or - symbol in conjunction with the grading system if I feel the condition of a record falls between any of the grades listed.

Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way. Oftentimes unplayed - would be denoted as such. I use this grade very sparingly, and only when a record truly is MINT.

Near Mint (NM or M-): A nearly perfect record. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.

An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches. Slight warps that do not affect playing are OK.

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.

In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good (VG): Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+): Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping, but it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear.

A jacket or sleeve has seem splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.