Independent music stores and rare and potentially fantastic little nooks full of wonder and discovery. They were a cultural hub of our youth, an escape, a place to meet with friends or make new ones through a shared common love of music and the legend surrounding it. The Record Store Day initiative, aimed at supporting independent record stores, was founded in 2007 and has generated increased sales and attention toward participating retailers in the years since its inception.
It’s getting harder and harder these days to find the local record stores we grew up with- the ones where show posters line the walls, beautifully alien sounds blare from the speakers and spiked & tatted employees with encyclopedic knowledge of the most abstract musical history imaginable mock your every anti-cool move. In honor of this dying species, we’re banding together once again for Record Store Day this Saturday, April 18th for a run on some amazing exclusives, rarities and cool releases on this special day of spinning the black circle. Make sure you’ve read up on the list of participating stores!
The White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
In honor of the ten year anniversary of The White Stripes’ Get Behind Me Satan, Record Store Day 2015 will mark the release of the first ever commercially available version of the pivotal record on vinyl. This 180-gram double LP features disc one pressed on red vinyl with disc two pressed on white vinyl and includes a full-size, 12” x 12”, gatefold lenticular jacket. Newly-created inner artwork reprising themes of the original promo-only version of the Satan LP will be exclusive to this release, and an MP3 download code will be included.
Run The Jewels – “Bust No Moves”
The most dynamic rap duo of 2014-15, Killer Mike and El-P keep throttling our interest with a new track, “Bust No Moves,” on 12″ with RTJ2 album highlights “Love Again” and “Pew Pew Pew”. Hell yes.
Father John Misty – “I Loved You, Honeybee”
No, we’re not on acid. Yet. “I Loved You, Honeybee” is an alternate take of new-album title track I Love You, Honeybear and comes backed by new, exclusive track “I’ve Never Been A Woman” on heart-shaped vinyl. With his unfathomably excellent new record, Father John Misty has transformed from a beacon of coy narcissism to a gracefully mordant romantic, and this is a hilariously subtle sidestep from the tracks of the love train.
Various Artists – “The Darjeeling Limited (Original Soundtrack)”
Director Wes Anderson’s music supervisor Randall Poster’s soundtracks are second to none. Anderson’s lovely 2007 flick The Darjeeling Limited, featuring songs from the Kinks (“Powerman,” “This Time Tomorrow”), Rolling Stones (“Play With Fire”) and Peter Sarstedt (“Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?”) and others, will see a proper vinyl release.
David Bowie – “Changes” 7″ picture disc
Alright, who doesn’t have this record already? We all do (or at least should) – but very few of us own it in beautiful picture disc form, and now is our chance to raise the pretty value on a legendary jam.
Stooges – “Have Some Fun: Live at Ungano’s”
Sure it’s bootleg quality, but Iggy Pop leads his young midwestern-punk gang through a killer set at the height of their potency. Feel the spirit with this LP release on RSD.
J Dilla – “Fuck The Police”
Dilla’s legend continues to rise posthumously with Donuts vaults opening more as time passes. The latest offering is this 7″ picture disc, featuring his 2001 track “Fuck The Police” and an instrumental B-side. The real kicker? It’s shaped like a fucking police badge. This is a coveted RSD find.
Mumford and Sons – “Believe/The Wolf”
Are we a little pissed with ourselves for digging the new Mumford songs so much? Yeah, maybe. But the newly banjo-less quintet are keeping the juices flowing with a 7″ of two new tracks from their hotly anticipated new record Wilder Mind.
Metallica – “No Life Til Leather” (cassette release)
Only a couple years after we’ve thrown away our tape players, those assholes in Metallica decide to start a revival. The first official release of Metallica’s legendary 1982 demo tape is about to hit the market, and fans can hear Megadeth nucleus and batshit crazy rocker Dave Mustaine as lead guitarist before he was fired from the band.
The Black Keys/Junior Kimbrough – “Meet Me In the City”
The Black Keys don’t just steal from Jack White, they’re apt students of bluesman Junior Kimbrough and his Hill Country compositions. Junior’s ”Meet Me In the City” was covered lusciously on their 2006 EP Chulahoma, and for the first time this split single brings both versions together.
Foo Fighters – Songs From The Laundry Room
RSD ambassador Dave Grohl and his band have covered Kim Wilde’s 1981 hit “Kids In America” to be included on their four-track, 10″ release. Also featured are early versions of first-album favorites “Alone + Easy Target” and “Big Me” as well as an unreleased track, “Empty Handed”.
Florence + The Machine – “What Kind Of Man?”
Fresh off a foot-breakingly incredible Coachella performance, Florence & friends preview their new album How Big How Blue How Beautiful with this 12″ RSD exclusive, featuring the soaring single “What Kind of Man” and new song “As Far As I Can Get”.
