The Kinks Something Else, UK Mono A1/B1 EX-/VG+

	£		116
	$		153

The Kinks Something Else

Pye Records ‎– NPL 18193
UK mono first press released 15 Sep 1967.
Matrix: MPL 18193A-1✳M - NMPL18193B-1✳M ̶M̶P̶L̶ ̶1̶8̶1̶9̶3̶1̶-̶1̶-̶✳̶M̶

1960’s pink and black Pye label 

Non-laminated, silver, flipback single sleeve with the original (extremely rare) plain white, square cornered, glassine lined inner sleeve. 

Album: Kinks fifth album, Something Else sold poorly on both sides of the Atlantic, primarily due to a seismic mid 60s shift towards psychedelic culture influenced music - think Sgt Pepper / Hendrix / Cream etc all released in 67. While everybody else went hippy Ray Davies kept to his poppy British rock sound. Something Else has now come to be, quite rightly, regarded as one of the finest in the band’s extensive output. The album opens with "David Watts", a bitter little ditty about a boy who has everything going for him in life, and ends with "Waterloo Sunset", a tale of a man who watches two lovers from a window. Kinks at their best.

Summary: A nice example of Kinks Somewhere Else, Mono A1/B1 first press in generally strong VG+ (or better) all-round condition with no major problems. Audio plays through clean, no interruptions: no pips, pops, sticks, jumps or dust crackle. Vinyl retains a gloss. Non-laminated, silver, flipback, single sleeve with some edge/corner rub. Comes with Original ‘square’ inner sleeve. 

Sleeve: Non-laminated, silver, flipback, single card sleeve with no major problems – no splits, tears or graffiti. Some light edge and corner rub normal for this non-laminated sleeve. Given age (and storage) pinched spine has been lightly crushed but remains fully readable, light creasing on opening edge see photos (VG/VG+ depending on the severity of your grading but generally in decent condition from a sleeve that is prone to show wear. Probably sounds worse than it is - again see photos.

Inner sleeve: Come with the original white, square cornered, glassine lined inner sleeve that it was sold in. No rips or splits GRADED VG+ This is similar to the early Beatles EMITEX inners (without the writing), has that slight ‘crackle’ when handled. THIS IS A NOT A MODERN POLYLINNED INNER SLEEVE, which tend to be soft and coated. There is a slight mark that appears on the inner sleeve which is also on the top right of rear sleeve which confirms their close relationship.

Labels: PYE's distinctive 1960’s pink and black labels in decent condition, no graffiti or sticker residue. Some spindle lines but nothing obtrusive. See photos, graded VG+

Vinyl: Under normal light vinyl retains its original gloss. Bright light reveals some (very, very few) cosmetic wispy lines caused by sleeve removal, and a couple of longer (S2) non-sounding cleaning scuffs.  Again, you can only really see them under bright light/magnifying glass (see photos – please zoom in). Overall would grade this EX-.

Audio. Solid audio, a really nice ‘mono’ listen. Plays clean, no sticks, skips or jumps, pips, pops or age-related dust crackle (played on a Project carbon - blue 2M Ortofon) graded EX-

I have tried to be honest and transparent in my description; the photographs form part of the description. Questions are welcome, don't hesitate to ask. I have good feedback (and positive comments) as both a buyer and seller, so you can buy with confidence. I am a collector of 47+ years (not a dealer) selling a few albums to fund my ever-changing music habits. The few records I sell are either the results of upgrades, duplicates or a bit of thinning every now and again – which this is. If anything is not as expected, please contact me straight away and I will do everything to resolve any problems without argument.

I strictly adhere to the Record Collector Magazine's Grading Guide using one + or - for addition guidance

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.