The Sisters Of Mercy, "Some Girls Wander By Mistake" 1992, 1st pressing--NEW

$

139

Dr. John's Spin Factory has what we suspect many of you will want.  Up for sale, from 1992, is a first pressing of the Sister's of Mercy compilation, "Some Girls Wander By Mistake."  Before we dig into the details of this highly desirable double LP, there is one important fact about which you need to be advised.  In 1992 new vinyl records made and sold in the UK and Europe were not shrink wrapped.  In those days record stores 'across the pond' would remove the discs from their jackets, shelve the discs behind the counter, and put the jackets out on display for customers to handle and consider.  So what did a store such as "The Vinyl Solution" in Grand Rapids Michigan, where I purchased this album, and a good many other imported records, do to address the concerns of their American customers, long accustomed to new records being shrink wrapped?  They did what you see in the photos.  They placed their imported albums into plastic slip covers that had a fold over flap, which they then taped down.  Some skeptics (cynics?) may point out that I could have removed the record from it's plastic slip cover, played it, then, at some later date, replaced the original slip cover with a new one complete with fresh tape.  Besides the fact that I would not do that (because I wouldn't want it done to me), I would draw your attention to two details (in the photos provided.)  Detail #1: Notice that the price sticker on the front of the slip cover has a date on it, that being 05/05/92.  That sticker was placed on this album by the staff at The Vinyl Solution in 1992.  So, if I have replaced the original slip cover with a new one, where did I get a replacement price sticker?  Because there is no way one could remove that sticker, reuse it, and not damage it.  Detail #2: Having purchased and played dozens of imported LPs from The Vinyl Solution, I can attest, and as he or she who buys this copy will discover, you simply cannot pull off this tape without stretching--distorting the surface of--the plastic slipcover. (Note: I'll include a new, replacement slipcover with this record, though it will not have the flap as this one does.)  As a casual glance at the photos will verify, the slipcover is unspoiled, un-stretched, and has not been disturbed in any way, which it would have been had I removed (or even attempted to remove) the original tape.  
So why, you may ask, did I never open and play this record?  It's not complicated.  It's rather simple, and, at this point in time, a bit embarrassing: This record remaining new and untouched for over 30 years is what happens when one is a graduate student who works more or less continuously (including most weekends) so that he can earn a Ph.D. and continue to buy lots and lots of vinyl records that he's sure he'll have the time to listen to...some day.  (In this and many other cases, that day never came.)
Okay, on with the show...What follows is a very straightforward and informative review of "Some Girls Wander..." from the good folks at AllMusic...  

"For over a decade, the early singles of Andrew Eldritch's goth crew, the Sisters of Mercy, existed only in a limited-edition vinyl format. They also went for fairly high prices, something that led to extensive bootlegging. Thankfully, in 1992 head honcho Eldritch decided to release all of the Sisters' pre-major-label material on a single compilation CD. He was rewarded with a U.K. number one album, and the opportunity to buy himself a new Porsche. The title comes from a Leonard Cohen song, "Teachers," which was the first song performed by the fledgling Sisters. All five early singles/EPs are here, from 1980's "The Damage Done" to 1983's "Temple of Love." The material is not presented chronologically, which is fine since the band's first two singles are the weakest on the album. "The Damage Done" might command a high price on vinyl but isn't a particularly good song, and the 30-second B-side "Home of the Hit-Men" is entirely pointless. Follow-up single "Body Electric" is better, featuring the classic punk workout "Adrenochrome," but it wasn't until 1982's "Alice" that the band hit its stride. The title track is an instant classic, while "Floorshow" became a live show staple. The Reptile House EP, featuring tracks five to ten on the CD, saw the Sisters take a turn into more overtly dark territory, featuring some of their bleakest and most anguished work. Their final indie release, "Temple of Love," continued this trend, with Eldritch turning in an impressive vocal performance. The cover of "Gimme Shelter" doesn't entirely work, but it's an interesting glimpse into the band's roots. Some Girls Wander By Mistake captures the Sisters of Mercy at their most ferocious and angry, in the years before the band became weighed down by over-produced synth-based efforts. As a look at the formative years of a still-popular band, it's great, but as a reminder of the punk roots of the goth movement, it's priceless."

Very fun and enlightening history, methinks.  

Good luck!  May you enjoy much deeply satisfying music every day... Dr. John