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The 5 Rarest Reel Big Fish Vinyl Records And The 2025 Reissues You Can't Miss

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The world of vinyl collecting for third-wave ska fans is buzzing right now, and for good reason. As of late 2024 and early 2025, Reel Big Fish's iconic discography is experiencing a vibrant renaissance on wax, with long-awaited first-time pressings and limited-edition reissues hitting the market. This surge in availability is a massive win for fans who have spent years hunting down rare, high-value original pressings of classics like Turn The Radio Off and Why Do They Rock So Hard?, finally making these essential ska-punk albums accessible to a new generation of collectors.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the most current and essential information for any Reel Big Fish vinyl enthusiast. We'll cover the hottest, most anticipated reissues of 2024 and 2025, and then explore the holy grail of rare pressings—the limited-run, high-value records that command top dollar on collector marketplaces like Discogs and eBay. Whether you're a seasoned vinyl veteran or a new fan looking to start your collection, this is your definitive roadmap to the band's most sought-after records.

The Reel Big Fish Vinyl Renaissance: 2024 & 2025 Reissues

The biggest news in the Reel Big Fish collecting community centers on a series of critical reissues, many of which are being handled by Enjoy The Ride Records in conjunction with Sony Music Entertainment. These releases are essential because they bring albums to vinyl that have either never been pressed before or have been out of print for over a decade, causing secondary market prices to skyrocket. Securing one of these limited-edition color variants is the best way to own a piece of ska history without breaking the bank.

The Highly Anticipated 'Cheer Up' Debut (2025)

For years, 2002’s major label album Cheer Up was a notable gap in the band's vinyl discography, never having received an official LP pressing. That changes in early 2025.

  • Release Details: The album is scheduled for its first-ever vinyl release as a Deluxe Edition.
  • Pressing Variants: Look for a Transparent Yellow Vinyl edition, which is a limited-run release.
  • Collector Value: This is a must-buy. As the first pressing, it instantly holds significant collector appeal, especially the limited-run color variants.

'Life Sucks... Let's Dance!' Deluxe Reissue (2024)

The band's 2018 album is also getting the deluxe treatment in late 2024, giving fans a fresh chance to grab a high-quality version of their most recent studio effort.

  • Release Details: A Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, and Remastered 2xLP set.
  • Pressing Variants: A notable Black And Clear Quad (Ska Twist) colored vinyl variant has been announced.
  • Topical Authority: The "Ska Twist" variant name is a nod to the band's genre and adds a unique entity to the collection.

The 'Why Do They Rock So Hard?' Repress (Recent)

After being out of print for nearly a decade, the 1998 classic Why Do They Rock So Hard? saw a much-needed repress. This 2xLP Deluxe Edition is crucial for completing the core discography.

  • Pressing Variants: Recent pressings have included a limited-to-300 Transparent Yellow Vinyl and a Splatter variant.
  • Collectibility: These limited-color pressings are already becoming sought-after, bridging the gap between the ultra-rare originals and the standard black vinyl.

The Holy Grail: 5 Rarest Reel Big Fish Vinyl Records for Collectors

While the reissues provide excellent entry points, the true thrill for the dedicated ska-punk vinyl collector lies in hunting down the original, extremely limited-run pressings. These records often feature unique colors, low press counts, or are coveted "Test Pressings." The value of these items is highly variable, often fetching hundreds of dollars or more depending on condition and demand on platforms like eBay and Discogs.

1. 'Turn The Radio Off' Test Pressing (Any Variant)

The 1996 album, featuring their breakout hit "Sell Out" and the iconic cover of "Take On Me," is the band's most essential record. The Test Pressings for the Deluxe Edition are the absolute pinnacle of Reel Big Fish vinyl rarity. Test Pressings are small batches (often 20–30 copies) made before mass production to check audio quality.

  • Rarity Factor: Extreme. These are usually uncolored black vinyl with plain labels, but their scarcity makes them the most valuable.
  • Sought-After Detail: The double-LP (2xLP) Deluxe Test Pressing is the most coveted version.

2. 'Candy Coated Fury' Test Pressing

Released in 2012, the album Candy Coated Fury also has an incredibly scarce Test Pressing variant. This particular version has been documented as being limited to only 24 copies, making it one of the rarest official releases in the band's entire discography.

  • Rarity Factor: Ultra-Rare (Limited to 24 copies).
  • Collectibility: Finding a copy for sale is a rare event, and it is a guaranteed centerpiece for any serious ska vinyl collection.

3. 'Turn The Radio Off' Limited Color Variants (Milky Clear w/ Green)

Beyond the Test Pressings, the earliest limited-edition color pressings of Turn The Radio Off are highly sought after. One of the most famous is the Milky Clear with Green and Black Splatter variant, which was limited to a mere 500 copies. Other rare variants include the translucent green single-LP version.

  • Rarity Factor: High (Limited to 500 copies).
  • Topical Authority: These early color pressings, especially those from the 2014 and 2016 reissues, are the ones that cemented the album's status as a collector's item before the 2024/2025 renaissance.

4. 'Happy Skalidays' DLX Test Pressing

Even the band's holiday-themed album, Happy Skalidays, has a rare Test Pressing in its Deluxe (DLX) edition. Test Pressings of non-studio albums are often produced in even smaller numbers, increasing their scarcity.

  • Rarity Factor: Very High.
  • Unique Entity: This highlights the depth of the band's vinyl collecting scene, extending beyond the main studio albums.

5. 'Why Do They Rock So Hard?' Limited Yellow Vinyl (Ltd. 300)

While the album has seen recent represses, the initial limited-edition color runs from the earlier reissues are already becoming hard to find. The Transparent Yellow Vinyl, which was limited to just 300 copies, is a prime example of a modern rarity that quickly sells out and sees a significant jump in aftermarket value.

  • Rarity Factor: High (Limited to 300 copies).
  • LSI Keyword: This is a key example of how "limited edition" and "colored vinyl" drive value in the ska-punk collecting niche.

Tips for Hunting Rare Reel Big Fish Vinyl

Collecting Reel Big Fish vinyl requires patience and a keen eye for detail. The key is to act quickly on new announcements and to know the difference between a common reissue and a true collector's item. When hunting for older, rarer pressings, focus on the following entities:

  • Pressing Count: Always look for the number of copies made (e.g., "Limited to 300"). The lower the count, the higher the value.
  • Color Variants: Unique and early color pressings (Milky Clear, Splatter, Quad) almost always hold more value than standard black vinyl.
  • Test Pressings: These are the ultimate collector's items. They are often sold directly by the band or the label in limited auctions and are rarely found in the wild.
  • Discogs & eBay: Use Discogs to track the full discography, specific pressing details, and the median sale price. Use eBay to find current auctions and "Buy It Now" prices for immediate purchase.
  • Labels: Pay attention to releases from labels like Enjoy The Ride Records, which are currently handling many of the high-quality, limited-run reissues.

The 2024–2025 vinyl resurgence is the perfect time to either complete your core Reel Big Fish collection or dive into the deeper cuts. By focusing on the fresh reissues and understanding the value of the rare, limited-edition pressings, you can curate a truly impressive collection that celebrates the enduring legacy of ska-punk's biggest fish.

The 5 Rarest Reel Big Fish Vinyl Records and The 2025 Reissues You Can't Miss
reel big fish vinyl records
reel big fish vinyl records

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