Sold Date: May 5, 2024
Start Date: April 25, 2024
Final Price: £480.34 (GBP)
Bid Count: 29
Seller Feedback: 202
Buyer Feedback: 1597

Up for sale is a very rare copy of the Zombies' second album Odessey and Oracle, in lovely stereo.
I have listened to the entire record and carefully graded each song and have noted any imperfections there may be. I've done my best to pinpoint every single flaw about this album.
This is one of the best examples I've owned of this album; the sound is unmatched.

THE VINYL:
AUDIO GRADE:
Opening on the first track, Care of Cell 44, the music is loud and clear. On my setup, there are no loud clicks or pops. There is a tiny bit of background noise for a few seconds, but other than that it is basically perfect. The music is loud and clear, and the track plays NM.
The second track, A Rose for Emily, plays with just a tiny bit of background crackle, during the most quiet parts. This is in no way intrusive and if you're not looking out for it, you definitely can't hear it at all. The track plays NM.
The third track, Maybe After He's Gone, has again some slight background noise, not intrusive at all. Even during the most quiet part it's very slight. I'd grade this track EX+.
The fourth track, Beechwood Park, plays very nice, no background noise on my setup, NM.
The fifth track, Brief Candles, again, has very little background noise, only some on the quiet piano parts at the end of the song. I would grade the audio EX.
Track six, Hung Up on a Dream, plays lovely. Nothing much to say, great sound quality. Rich and punchy. NM-.
Track seven, Changes, has a tiny bit of background noise during the intro and outro, which is very quiet. The rest of the song is very good, sounding almost perfect, with almost no background noise. I'd grade this track EX-.
Track eight, I Want Her She Wants Me, plays beautifully with very little background noise. I'd grade this track EX+.
Track nine, This Will Be Our Year, plays beautifully. This is the original withdrawn stereo with horns. There is essentially no background noise on this one. I'd grade it M-.
Track ten, Butcher's Tale, which is in lots of parts a quiet track, plays great. Practically no background noise at all. NM+.
Track eleven, Friends of Mine, plays wonderfully? There's background static for around half a second at the quiet intro, otherwise nothing else during the song. I'd grade this one NM+.
Track 12, Time of the Season, my personal favorite, plays perfectly. Absolutely nothing to say. A beautiful example of an amazing track. M.
VISUAL GRADE:
Visually, I'd say side one grades EX because of two very fine superficial scratches which do not affect play whatsoever. Side two grades NM-, which just a few wispy sleeve marks here and there. Both sides are nice and shiny, with no dulling whatsoever.
THE LABELS:
Both labels are in lovely condition with no drawing or ink whatsoever. Both sides have very light spindle marks with side 1 having a little more, but over both sides are very clean, nothing much else to say.
Runouts are as follows: SBPG 63280 A2/SBPG 63280 B2
THE SLEEVE:
The front of the sleeve is lovely, with bold rich colors, which shine much better than any other copy I've seen. The front top right corner has a bit of creasing if you look closely but you cannot really see this from afar.
The spine is very nice, all the wording is nice and legible and it hasn't been crushed like many of the covers I've seen for this album.
The back has the original "Stereo" gold sticker which is still fully intact. The crease i mentioned before is also visible from the back.  A sticker has at one point been torn off on the right of the sleeve notes, which has left a mark. The top and bottom of the sleeve have slight rubbing marks, but otherwise it is a very presentable sleeve. I would grade it VG.
POSTAGE will be insured to the full value of the record and tracked. UK is 5£ Europe is 11£, World is 22£. DO NOT PAY until I have sent you an invoice with the proper postage. If you have a 0 buyer rating contact me before buying.