The Ultimate Collector Guide To Glass Animals Vinyl: How To Be A Human Being

Securing and properly maintaining a copy of Glass Animals' critically acclaimed sophomore record, How to Be a Human Being, on vinyl requires understanding specific pressing variants, matrix catalog numbers, and audiophile turntable calibration. This comprehensive guide covers identifying rare pressings, evaluating vinyl grading standards, and implementing proper cleaning techniques to preserve your record's dynamic range.

Essential Gear, Pressing Variants, and Acquisition Strategy

Building a definitive vinyl collection of How to Be a Human Being starts with identifying the distinct pressing variants released since its August 2016 debut via Wolf Tone and Caroline International. The album features complex, character-driven artwork designed by Joe Henson and Dave Bayley, making the physical packaging an integral part of the collector's experience.

• Essential Gear & Tools: A high-fidelity turntable with an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate, an anti-static carbon fiber brush, a 100% pure virgin vinyl cleaning solution, a vacuum record cleaning machine (or manual spin-clean system), and 3 mil archival outer sleeves.
• Prerequisite Knowledge: Familiarity with Discogs matrix runout identification, Goldmine grading standards (ranging from Mint down to Fair), and the acoustic differences between 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and standard weight pressings.
• Budget & Time Benchmarks: Allocate between thirty to one hundred fifty dollars depending on whether you are targeting standard black pressings, the VMP (Vinyl Me, Please) exclusive edition, or limited colored variants. Expect to spend approximately twenty minutes per record for a deep clean and flat storage setup.

Step-by-Step Acquisition, Inspection, and Preservation Workflow

Step 1: Identifying Authentic Pressings and Matrix Runouts

When purchasing a copy of How to Be a Human Being online or at a record store, verify the specific pressing variant by inspecting the runout groove (deadwax) data. Look for specific hand-etched or machine-stamped matrix numbers that correspond to optimal mastering houses like Metropolis Mastering.

Pro-Tip: Always cross-reference the barcode on the back jacket sleeve (typically 602557007780 for the standard pressing) with the exact runout codes listed in database registries to avoid purchasing counterfeit or unauthorized bootleg pressings.

Step 2: Evaluating Vinyl Grading and Physical Condition

Before playing your record, inspect the vinyl under a high-lumen LED lamp to detect hairline scratches, sleeve scuffs, and manufacturing defects like non-fill or pressing warp. Place the record on a flat surface and use a stylus tracking force scale to verify your tonearm is set according to the cartridge manufacturer's precise recommendations—typically between 1.5 to 2.0 grams for modern moving magnet cartridges.

Warning: Never play a record with a visibly worn-out stylus, as diamond tip degradation will permanently damage the delicate high-frequency grooves found in dense electronic-pop tracks like Youth and Agnes.

Step 3: Executing Proper Wet Cleaning Protocols

Brand new and second-hand vinyl alike benefit from a thorough wet cleaning session to remove residual pressing plant release agents, dust, and microscopic debris that cause surface noise and pops. Apply a few drops of alcohol-free enzymatic cleaning fluid to an ultra-soft velvet brush, wiping gently along the directional rotation of the grooves, followed by a final vacuum extraction pass.

Step 4: Archival Storage and Environmental Control

Store your How to Be a Human Being vinyl jacket vertically inside a heavyweight polyethylene or polypropylene outer sleeve to prevent ring wear on the character artwork. Keep your record collection away from direct sunlight, high humidity environments, and heat sources, maintaining ambient room temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent vinyl warping.

Glass Animals Vinyl Pressing Specifications Comparison

Common Vinyl Maintenance Failures and Field Fixes

• Root Cause: Persistent static electricity discharge causing the record to attract dust immediately after pulling it from the paper inner sleeve.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Ditch the original paper inner sleeves entirely and replace them with anti-static, high-density polyethylene-lined inner sleeves (such as Nagaoka or MoFi style liners) that prevent friction buildup.
• Root Cause: Audible inner groove distortion resulting in muddy vocals and high-frequency sibilance during the playback of dense tracks like Take a Slice.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Realign your cartridge using a two-point protractor and recalibrate your turntable's anti-skate settings to ensure proper tracking geometry across the entire radius of the record.
• Root Cause: Surface warping caused by improper horizontal stacking of multiple record jackets over extended periods.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Immediately move all warped records to a vertical storage configuration, and if necessary, use professional vinyl flattening devices under strictly controlled heat and pressure thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pressing of How to Be a Human Being sounds the best?

The Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) coke bottle clear pressing and the 180-gram European heavyweight black pressings generally offer the highest fidelity playback. These variants feature superior dynamic range and benefit from quieter background noise floors compared to standard weight commercial pressings.

How can I spot a counterfeit copy of the VMP edition?

Check the runout matrix etchings and the quality of the gatefold jacket. Authentic VMP editions include specific foil-stamping numbering on the rear jacket, high-resolution artwork reproduction, and proper deadwax mastering stamps rather than generic digital-file-to-lacquer transfers.

Is it safe to play colored vinyl on high-end turntables?

Yes, modern colored vinyl variants—including transparent and opaque formulations—use high-grade PVC compounds that rival standard black vinyl when manufactured correctly. Audiophile degradation is negligible provided your tracking force and cartridge alignment are properly calibrated.

What is the best way to clean dirty vinyl records at home?

Use a dedicated record cleaning system that combines an alcohol-free cleaning surfactant, a goat hair or velvet brush, and a microfiber drying cloth or vacuum wand. Avoid household glass cleaners or dish soaps, which leave chemical residue inside the micro-grooves and destroy high-frequency fidelity.

Discover rare variants, upgrade your turntable setup, and secure pristine copies of indie-pop masterpieces to elevate your physical music collection today.