Despite the fact that U2's latest album Songs of Innocence, was the single largest album release in history — by magically appearing in more than 500 million iTunes libraries — it still was not eligible for any Grammys, which we all know is the only reason why anybody makes music.
Since the album's Oct. 14 vinyl release is too late for Grammy consideration, U2 got around this by quietly issuing a limited edition run of vinyl pressings to a few record stores over the last couple days, @U2 reports, which is just in time for the Grammy's Sept. 30 deadline.
"As long as the album — be it CD, vinyl or digital — is available commercially for sale to the public by our eligibility cutoff date at a nationally recognized retailer or website, then it's eligible for consideration," a Grammy representative told Rolling Stone.
The vinyl copies of Songs of Innocence appeared in at least two record shops over the weekend: Amoeba Records in California and Looney Tunes on Long Island, though it is possible there are more copies out there somewhere. All the copies at both stores have reportedly sold out.
Though the album's official vinyl release Oct. 14 will be on white vinyl — and presumably issued with its recently revealed album cover — this limited edition run was pressed onto standard black vinyl with a blank and white sleeve similar to the album's original iTunes artwork.
You can check out photos of the limited edition pressings at the Looney Tunes website by clicking here.
