So Dead Dog is dead to me (pun intended).
Went to pick up Busta Rhymes "When Disaster Strikes" because they're one of two stores that seem to carry it, and I was in the area anyway. Flipping through the hip hop section the skies part and I see a VG+ copy of the original pressing of Black Star, for $50 which is a steal compared to discog prices. Like, no brainer, it's coming home with me.
Scan it, sure enough, comes up as the 1998 sku.
Open it up, giant scuff marks across almost half of Side A. Fuck it, going to throw it on the turntable and see how it plays.
Put it on....waiting for vocals to kick in....still waiting....
It's the goddamn instrumental version. Nothing anywhere to indicate that's what it was. Not on their tag, not on the album cover, nothing.
I know they were probably duped themselves by whoever sold it to them, but it's hard not to take that personally.
Even the clerk, who I've labelled "Dave Mustane Jr." based on how much he looks like an 18 year old Dave Mustane said it was a fantastic find and he had no clue it was there....if he only knew.