Indecision And Change

Change is one of the more recent bands that I'm collecting multiple variants for. I think it has to do with the React Records connection, and I used to be a fiend for collecting that label and sometimes old habits are hard to break. I scooped up multiple copies of the original colored vinyl (although, I'm missing a couple Refuse pressings), and then when React did a second pressing, I had an internal debate if I needed that one as well (apparently, I did). Now, here we are, two years after the release of Closer Still, and Indecision Records delivers a new pressing. There are still copies of the original pressing on Discogs at decent prices, but I guess someone wanted to get some fresh colored vinyl into the market, and here we are. This is still a great album, but it would be nice to get some new Change material at some point.

The promo image that Indecision used to sell this latest pressing hooked me. The three colors of vinyl, while they didn't match the cover at all, looked nice as a set, so I bought each option. Of course, the mock up doesn't look like the finished product and the colors don't complement each other as much as I expected. That lime green is a bit jaring. Limited to 200.

Indecision changed up the packaging for the Change records, and applied the lyrics and photos from the original insert into a gatefold sleeve. 350 pressed on clear orange.

Finally, the more common version is clear vinyl. 450 pressed.

What really sold me on buying this set was that I already owned six copies, and I knew that three more would give me a nice even square at nine copies. I'm a sucker for symmetry.

Getting Closer Still

There was a time when I was obsessed with collecting multiple pressings for every record that I liked. It didn't matter what it was, if I was preordering the record then I felt compelled to buy every piece of colored vinyl available. At the time, one of my go-to record labels was React, and I ate up everything they released. Even for bands that I didn't particularly like that much, I still bought two or three copies. React has kind of gone quiet in recent years, and at the same time I've lost a lot of interest in the multiple pressing game. Still, when Aram and company released the new Change record last year, I felt that old spark of obsession flame back up, and I quickly found myself ordering each pressing that React had available. When the label announced that they were doing a second pressing, I really wanted to ignore it but in the end the temptation of owning a full collection someday proved to be too strong.

Second pressing on a nice looking blue vinyl. 500 pressed.

It is too easy to collect multiple variants when the vinyl looks this good. While there are some newer bands that I like more Change, I can't be bothered to chase the various pressings because they look like shit. I mean, I'd love a solid Ecostrike collection, but the Triple B vinyl with all the ugly patterns does not tempt me at all.

Shortly after the second pressing from React was available, the Deathwish store received 25 copies on white vinyl from Refuse Records. Given the opportunity to but it from a US seller and not have to fuck around with overseas shipping, I jumped on it.

It was cool to finally get my hands on a Refuse pressing to see the little differences from React. 460 on white as the second pressing from Refuse.

Far from a complete collection, but I still wanted to pull the Change records out for a photo. Maybe someday I'll be able to get my hands on that Euro tour press and the Refuse blue vinyl.

Change Record Release

Back in October, with their plans of a record release show cancelled due to Covid, Change instead decided to host a live event to raise awareness on the issue of violence against native women. At the start of the event, the band made available a "record release" pressing of their album, and all money made from these sales went straight to the charity. In addition, Change had set up a raffle that gave a handful of winners the chance to select their choice of available test pressings that had been donated. I laid down the money for five raffle tickets, and was hoping to score.

When October 8th rolled around, I completely spaced on the "record release" event. I had gone out for some pizza with my wife, and had forgotten all about it. I was sitting in my car after dinner and received a few messages from Marcus about it, when I suddenly remembered that the special pressing was going to be available. I jumped to the webpage for the event but the record had already sold out... and then I ended up not winning a raffle test press during the live announcement. Fuck me. Thankfully Marcus, scooped an extra record, and as I was crying about having dropped the ball, he mentioned that I could take his second copy. So grateful that I don't need think about tracking down an overpriced copy on Discogs.

The record release cover for this looks great. The front cover is a nice tribute to Ron Brotherhood who passed away from cancer in 2019, and is an illustrated recreation of a photo of some dude name Rich Jacobs, who ran Skate Edge Records and released the Brotherhood 7 inch. Nice and unique cover.

The only problem is that somewhere along the way, some clown managed to accidently take a razor to the front of this, slicing the plastic sleeve and leaving a faint score mark down the front cover. While you can barely see it, it will still haunt me until I die.

Number 75 of 90 for the record release version.

Multiple Copies For A Change

I can't remember the last time that I bought multiple copies of a record for a preorder. It is a rare thing when it happens these days, but seeing how I used to go nuts collecting React Records, I figured that the new Change record was a good enough reason to buy every pressing that I could get my hands on.

Change is fronted by Aram, and based on his history with Betrayed and Champion, I was condfident that this record was going to be great. No risk. I didn't even need to mess around with the songs that were released as a preview prior to the albums release. I just dove straight in and placed my order. How great does that pink vinyl look next to that cover? So good. 100 pressed on this color.

This album delivers the goods. It is exactly what I wanted from the band. With Aram's voice, I can't help but compare Change to Betrayed, however, musically this record takes a couple unexpeceted twists on some of the songs for a bit of variety. Great record. The only thing that I didn't need here is the last poetry track. I get that it is a nod to the Uniform Choice "Silenced" thing, but I didn't care for it there, and don't need it here. No thanks.

300 pressed on purple vinyl.

In addition to React, Refused Records handled the pressing for the Change album over in Europe, and RevHQ got their own exclusive pressing. Refused is a bit of a pain in the ass to order from, so I didn't bother, but I did jump on the REV pressing. I get that the yellow vinyl is a match for REV's logo, but it isn't really a good match with the cover...and next to the pink and purple vinyl (plus the blue pressing from Refused), the yellow is a bit jarring. Oh well, I'm still happy to grab this one. 200 pressed on yellow.

Along with the Refused pressing there are still a few copies that I need for this record. Hope that I can get them all at some point.