Just as religions have temples where people go to find God, listeners have record stores where they go to find themselves.
Former ALBERTA CROSS member Sam Kearney is right and RECORD STORE DAY celebrates those temples of music and those who believe in vinyls, needles and fighting with packaging.
As you might have read there is also a critical view on this annual day. Starting with 10 special releases in 2008, this year’s RECORD STORE DAY sees 438 records, limited editions and reissues coming out. Many of them hail from major labels. Their orders are processed first by the pressing plants so smaller labels are penalized. The English label Kudos Records has made its misgivings known in an open letter to RECORD STORE DAY. If you want further information, you can read the letter here.
Nevertheless the event supports independent record stores and the community of music lovers and talented musicians who need a place which proves that their dream of making a living with music is worth believing in. For instance NOFX co-founder Fat Mike: If it wasn’t for independent record stores, I would be a San Fernando valley real estate agent.
One reason more to go to your local record shop on Saturday. More than 2.000 stores worldwide participate. So there is a good chance that you have one somewhere next to you. Of course there is no guarantee that you will get one of the limited pressings that you might be looking for. Maybe you don’t even know what you are looking for.
NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION chose 20 records that are worth queuing for. All of them are exclusive and limited releases since RECORD STORE DAY‘s first releases will be available at other retailers in the future too.
Let’s focus on five different categories:
– Classics
– Indie Treasures
– Electronic Pleasure
– Way-Out Stuff
– Long Time No Hear.
Find NBHAP’s choice on the following pages (check the full list of RSD releases).