I always end up doing pretty well on Record Store Day. The only time I haven't gotten all I wanted was my first (I'll find you Black Angels eps!). After looking at the list, it looks like I'm going to buying a lot of full length 12 inches, aka going to spending a lot of money! The lists are ranked by level of importance. I will most likely be waiting in front of the Exclusive Company at 2am the earliest, 3 the latest. The running themes this year are full lengths, soundtracks, and rap.
For Sure List:
The Hold Steady- Boys and Girls of America- One of my absolute favorite albums of all time and an indisputable indie classic (if people would stop getting so caught up in their idea of what punk and The Hold Steady are). I have been up and down and in and out of the internet looking for a cheap copy. The cheapest I've ever seen it sold is around 50 dollars. This guarantees that I will be outside The Exclusive by at least 2am. I'd hate myself forever if I don't get it.
The White Stripes- Get Behind Me Satan- I guess this is the first time this album is having a wide release on vinyl, despite Jack White being a vinyl nerd. There were only around 600 vinyl copies available before the news of this RSD exclusive came around. With the edition of it being colored, this is a must buy. An incredible album with great songs (Blue Orchid, My Doorbell, The Denial Twist, I'm Lonely).
Various Artists- When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel- I'm surprisingly super into this release. To be honest, I actually really enjoy "black gospel" music. I've never really been the kind of music listener that wants to know the meaning of a song or dissect the lyrics or anything like that. Sure, I'll pick out a line or two that'll stick with me, but, mostly, I like the idea of being able to hear all these diverse thoughts and feelings that I would have never come across. Gospel music is religion, but I don't hear it as just that. I hear people who have faith, who are trying to make it through every day, who have this weird sense of strength.
Various Artists- The Darjeeling Unlimited- I think soundtracks are going to be one of my new vinyl obsessions this year. I missed out on Moonrise Kingdom last year and I've been kicking myself for it. Wes Anderson are known for really fantastic soundtracks. It's on green vinyl, I believe, so that's cool. I'm a big color vinyl guy.
Immortal Technique- Revolutionary Vol.1- Along with soundtracks, I'm also want to add to my rap vinyl. A more lyrical rap album is usually what I go for and this seems to fit the bill. This is the first time this album is getting released on vinyl and, while I haven't heard the entire album yet, what I've heard has been killing it.
Courtney Barnett- Kim's Caravan*- God, I love Courtney Barnett. I sorta wish this was a 45 release, so it'd be cheaper, but I think I'm okay with paying a little extra because she'll be covering a song from the super underrated John Cale of the Velvet Underground.
Father John Misty- I love you, Honeybear- Psh, it's Father John Misty, a front runner for album of the year. He can't do wrong, especially in a pair of super tight jeans.
Grandmaster Flash/Stiff LIttle Fingers- The Message- The Message is an iconic hip-hop track. The song's length is about 7 minutes so I feel like that justifies a 45 buy. Sometimes, it's kind've a pain in the ass to listen to a 45 because a song ends pretty quickly and you're left with having to get up and change it or whatever. 7 minutes is a good time. I love these cover 45s that RSD does. Stiff Little Fingers is doing the cover and that is fascinating given that Stiff Little Fingers is a punk band that released the amazing album, Inflammable Material. Two very different styles.
Grouplove- Under the Covers- I'm not a big Grouplove fan, but this 10" has me interested. They are covering The Who's "Baba O'Reilly" with Portugal The Man, which sounds amazing, and a cover of a Beach Boys song. If it's not too pricey, I'll probably pick it up.
The Black Keys/ Junior Kimbrough- I really love the original version of the song "All Night Long" by Junior Kimbrough. Having that on 45 will be worth it just for that. Throw in the Black Keys doing their thing, this is a no brainer.
Run the Jewels- Record Store Day Release- Run the Jewels is cleaning up, despite how I feel they won't reach the level of notoriety, as say, Kendrick Lemar. RTJ2 was album of the year worthy and both guys are talented as hell. Never before released track, sold.
Brand New- Deja Entendu- I'll be honest, I'll probably only pick this up if I want to be a dick and sell it on eBay later. From everything I've seen, this is the big ticket item.
Maybes:
Rockabye Baby- Lullaby Renditions of Grateful Dead- There's a good chance I'll buy this just because I have a terrible time falling asleep (why I'm writing all of this) and the previous Rockabye releases are extremely effective at being lullabies. I've never really given the Grateful Dead a chance, mainly because of the stigma they have surrounding them as being a "jam band," which I'm not a big fan of.
Various Artists- I'm Here- A soundtrack for a short film called I'm Here. It's made up of some pretty cool bands and songs. I'm on that soundtrack grind.
Mark Kozelek- What's Next to the Moon- Mark Kozelek, singer for Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon, does ACDC covers.....I don't even know why I'm hesitating with this one! My main problem is how some of his songs are known to be very slow-moving and depressing, and this was one of his very first outputs so I'm iffy about the quality. To be fair, all of his projects have gone to be super super collectable. Red House Painters recently released a boxset of their first albums and it sold out in 5 minutes. Sun Kil Moon's latest record that was released in 2014 already sells for 100 dollars.
Whiplash Soundtrack- I really want to see this movie (and I will by this weekend). I've heard so many good things about it. The soundtrack is made up of jazz compositions that were created for the film and jazz classics. Hopefully, this could be a gateway into me developing an ear for jazz, something I've wanted to start working on.
Syd Barrett/REM- Dark Globe- The original version of "Dark Globe" sounds like a song that could only be sung by someone losing their mind (which Syd Barrett did). REM covering it makes me wonder how they'd pull it off. "Dark Globe" was also a song I used heavily in middle school to write a lot of poems, so it's a little sentimental. It takes me back to a time where I could have seen myself losing it.
Bernard Herrmann- Psycho- Iconic movie scene that was only helped more by a terrific score. It's all the fun of feeling like you're going to murdered in your own bathroom.
Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood- The album is critically acclaimed, something that I always look for first. I'll have to listen to the album before committing to buying it, especially since I already have so many full length albums on my for sures. This is a case of being budded out by stronger contenders.
Okkervil River- Sleep and Wake Up Song- These songs aren't as strong as the songs off Black Sheep Boy or The Stand Ins, but they have a simple charm to them. Okkervil River is a band of masterful lyrics. The songs on this release are slower, while I usually prefer my Okkervil River to be more upbeat.
Death Cab for Cutie/Freedy Johnston- Visually, the record looks awesome. It's like a starburst blue. I listened to Freedy Johnston's Bad Reputation and wasn't that impressed and I don't see Death Cab adding much to it.
Stooges- Have Some Fun- I usually steer away from live albums. All the songs usually sound more electrifying, just not radically different. The Stooges are known for their crazy shows. If there is a band that can change my opinion, it's definitely Iggy Pop and the Stooges.
the 101ers- Elgin Avenue Breakdown- I think I'm interested in this release in a historical context. I love The Clash, and Joe Strummer was the singer for the group. It's mostly me being curious.
Grizzly Bear- Horn of Plenty- Terrible production that makes this hard to listen to. There are a few songs that sound nice.
