This was the band’s most commercially successful album and is still cited as one of the most influential albums helping to define the heavy metal genre.  It is also one of the band’s most critically acclaimed albums.  It’s full of great music, including a couple of hit singles.  This is a great album!  It was released on Warner Brothers in 1972, number BS 2607.  This is the original release of the album.  The vinyl is in exceptional condition with its bright original luster and a few very light surface scratches and scuffs that do not significantly impact play.  It plays with light sporadic background noise.  This is one of those albums that plays far better than it looks.  The vinyl grades VG+.  The gatefold album cover shows some ring wear and some corner and edge wear.  There is a three inch split on the open side of the top seam.  The other seams show some wear but are sharp, tight, and intact.  The cover grades VG. 

Album Tracks: 
Highway Star
Maybe I’m A Leo
Pictures Of Home
Never Before
Smoke On The Water
Lazy
Space Truckin’

Grading Information I always clean and then listen to every record I list on eBay.  I do this to make sure I can give as accurate a description of each record as possible.  I will do both a visual check and an audio check.  I will say that when it comes to the letter grade my inclination is always to give more preference to the sound of the record.  I’ve seen many records that had a few light scuffs so the vinyl did not look beautiful, but the album played like new.  In this case I may grade the vinyl as high as VG+.  And I have also seen records where the vinyl looked pristine, but upon playing I was hearing static or other background noise throughout.  At best that vinyl would be rated VG.  The only time I would rate an album as NM is when it looks and plays as though it is brand new.  I absolutely attempt to give as objective a grading as I can.  I don’t ever want you to be disappointed in the quality of the album you receive. 

I only use three grades in my grading:  NM, VG+, and VG.  The only exception is a sealed album which is presumed to have vinyl in mint condition.  My NM grading means, as noted above, that the vinyl looks and plays as though it is the first time out of the sleeve.  The VG+ rating is used on any album that plays great but plays less than perfect.  It may have a pop here and there, or either some occasional or even light consistent background noise.  The key is that, in my opinion, the album will be one you will be proud to have in your collection and will always enjoy hearing.  VG is the lowest grade I use, and granted, this is very subjective.  I will never sell an album that I would not play again myself.  That’s why I listen to every record I list.  I’ve thrown out quite a few albums that I wouldn’t want to say I sold.  Still, there are albums that play well but just have a little more than that typical level of noise.  They sound good, and I’m confident you’ll still enjoy the music.  But you should expect to hear some distracting noise here and there. 

Shipping Information – Combined Shipping Shipping is $4.00 in the continental U.S.  I happily combine records from multiple auctions to reduce total shipping cost.  In fact, I welcome it!  The $4.00 cost for U.S. shipping applies regardless of the number of auctions won in any 5-day period. 

Canada shipping is calculated based on weight using US Postal Service rates.  Combined shipping is also welcomed here and does result in significant per-album cost savings. The first album will be shipped for $13.  Additional albums will be shipped for $2 per album, with up to five albums able to be shipped before we need to use International Priority shipping.  At that point we will work together on final determination of shipping cost. 

The Canada cost determination also applies for all other International shipping, except that the first album is shipped for $18 and each subsequent is an additional $2.50. 

All albums will be shipped in specially designed album hard cardboard mailers with a cardboard insert to prevent damage upon opening.  The vinyl is removed from the cover and presented in a new poly sleeve.  I am committed to one day turnaround on shipments.  If I receive payment before 7:00 AM Central Time I will package and ship that same day.  Payment by Paypal is preferred. 

Thanks for looking and please contact me with any questions.