Over the past 5 years, Third Man Records has brought to life many ideas that are new to the century-old vinyl format. So, when it came time for the creative hive to discuss the vision for the pressing of Jack White’s Lazaretto, we were keenly aware of what it would take to produce a piece of wax worthy of the music it would contain… No single innovation would suffice. We needed to go big. We needed to go bold. We needed to press an ULTRA LP.
- 180 gram vinyl
- 2 vinyl-only hidden tracks hidden beneath the center labels
- 1 hidden track plays at 78 RPM, one plays at 45 RPM, making this a 3-speed record
- Side A plays from the inside out
- Dual-groove technology: plays an electric or acoustic intro for “Just One Drink” depending on where needle is dropped. The grooves meet for the body of the song.
- Matte finish on Side B, giving the appearance of an un-played 78 RPM record
- Both sides end with locked grooves
- Vinyl pressed in seldom-used flat-edged format
- Dead wax area on Side A contains a hand-etched hologram by Tristan Duke of Infinity Light Science, the first of its kind on a vinyl record
- Zero compression used during mastering
- Different running order from the CD/digital version
- LP utilizes some mixes different from those used on CD and digital version
Vault members needn’t worry – the Vault version and the standard version of Lazaretto both contain all ULTRA LP features. The LP will come with an MP3 download card. Pre-order begins today. Lazaretto will be officially released June 10th.
Love the Mcintosh Gear. What components?
This is amazing, well done. Can’t wait to hear the tune Jack said would be coming to the Vault, excited! Amazing innovations, for sure. Good job, Ben!
This is going to be amazing! I can not wait for this record. The only thing I’m worried about is that my record player won’t play the hidden tracks (since it didn’t play the ones on Sea of Cowards) and that it won’t play side A because of it starting in the center (my record player’s arm rests on a piece of plastic that gradually declines so it guides the arm while it’s playing). I’ve been looking for a better turntable anyway though so I’m not too worried:)
To answer the handful of valid questions posed here…
1. Where can I get this?
Well Johnny Q. Record Buyer, thanks for asking! We’ll have a vinyl pre-order up on the TMR website very soon. But to be fair…ANYWHERE that sells vinyl will have this, whether it be your local mom and pop record shop, Insound.com, Amazon.com, Ganges.com or any other of the countless websites with river-based names. All you have to remember is this: ANY copy and EVERY copy of Lazaretto will be an Ultra LP.
2. Can you tell me more about these different mixes?
No. I can’t. But only SOME songs have different mixes. We’ll leave it to you with the most discerning of ears and the least amount of real-world interactions to spend all of your spare time to figure this one out any further.
3. Will the Vault version have shiny and matte sides?
Yes. Yes it will. While the matte finish isn’t as vivid when applied to colored vinyl, by George it still works.
4. Why are you so awesome?
I really wish I knew.
this is so creative, i’m so excited about this new album!!!
My lips are sealed.
sooo amazing!! :D
I love it! Keep being innovative and unique Third Man Records!
The Ultra LP looks and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to hear the “secret” songs under the label. @Blackwell – “in charge of all things vinyl and housekeeping” LOL! Well, hat off to you Ben – from what I have seen in the pics/videos you posted TMR has the most pristine stock room I have ever seen. But you left your CHiPs/patrol man off your resume. You rocked that too! LOL! Thanks for sharing with us Jack and thanks for taking time to stop in and chat with us. It is always appreciate. We’ve missed you!
That’s unreal, quite literally ;-) Nice vid though…