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).
Classics
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – American Beauty
The Boss has a special gift for us in store. The 12” vinyl EP American Beauty contains four unreleased songs called Hurry Up Sundown, Mary Mary, Hey Blue Eyes and American Beauty. The last three were recorded during the High Hopes sessions with producer Ron Aniello. As we learned recently BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN fans are die hard. So you better get up early if you want a copy.
PAUL WELLER – Brand New Toy
Singer-songwriter legend PAUL WELLER produced two brand new tracks especially for RECORD STORE DAY. They are called Landslide and Brand New Toy. The new album of the English gentleman comes out in summer but waiting this long is just unacceptable.
THE DOORS – Weird Scenes Inside The Goldmine
Weird Scenes Inside The Goldmine was released in 1972. It was the second compilation album by the legendary band and the first release after Jim Morrison’s dead. The reissue features songs like (You Need Meat) Don’t Go No Further sung by keyboardist Ray Manzarek, Love Her Madly and Who Scared You. A very special completion of your DOORS collection.
DOC WATSON – Southbound
If you have this doc you need no other. With his unpretentious voice and his guitar DOC WATSON will make your day. In 2012 the American singer died at the age of 89. The reissue of his classic 1966 album will make you aware of the simple beauty of music and carry you southbound.
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Indie Treasures
CAMERA OBSCURA – 4AD session
4AD sessions are always quite nice and the one of Scottish indie pop band CAMERA OBSCURA is no exception. There are only 250 copies of the 4-track 7” EP that includes their beautiful ballad Fifth In Line To The Throne. All the songs are from CAMERA OBSCURA‘s lovely 2013 album Desire Lines.
SKY FERREIRA – Night Time, My Time Picture Disc
SKY FERREIRA is quite a character. She might also be a model but fortunately more one of the I-don’t-give-a-shit Kate Moss kind. On RECORD STORE DAY she will be relasing a 12” Picture Disc of her debut studio album Night Time, My Time. Her synthpop / indie rock music is as changeable as the singer herself. If you don’t know her until now, RECORD STORE DAY is the right opportunity.
VILLAGERS – Occupy Your Mind
Two Mercury Prize nominations mean something so make sure to grab a copy of VILLAGERS new indie folk gem Occupy Your Mind on RECORD STORE DAY. But hurry – there are only 350.
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Electronic Pleasure
THE GLITCH MOB – Drink the Sea / We Can Make the World Stop
RECORD STORE DAY sees the release of THE GLITCH MOB‘s 2010’s debut alum as 2 x 12” vinyl plus their 10” EP. A real good opportunity to step into the world of the electronica trio.
DISCLOSURE – Apollo
On RECORD STORE DAY you can receive the only physical release of DISCLOSURE‘s song Apollo. This shouldn’t be missing in the record cabinet of any hobby DJ.
SKRILLEX – Recess
Limited vinyls are not enough? You want something real special? Then SKRILLEX‘ 2014’s album Recess might be something for you. It comes as a unique cassette version. Among all retro lovers, having this will make you the coolest kid.
CROSSES (†††) – One (Red/Pink Vinyl), Two (Blue Vinyl) and Three (Yellow Vinyl)
The electronic side project of DEFTONES singer Chino Moreno, FAR guitarist Shaun Lopez and Chuck Doom announced the release of colored versions of their three EP’s for RECORD STORE DAY. Get to know the other side of Chino Moreno and grab your copy.
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Way-Out Stuff
DAVID LYNCH – The Air Is on Fire
We know that DAVID LYNCH is not only a great filmmaker but also a virtuous composer. On RECORD STORE DAY you can get his rare soundscape The Air Is on Fire that was created for LYNCH‘s 2007 retrospective exhibition in Paris. The 41-minute track is as scary and wonderful as his films.
Various Artists – The Space Project
The sounds for this project are not only way-out but also come from a place that is really out of the way. Artist like BEACH HOUSE, SPIRITUALIZED and YOUTH LAGOON took recordings of the NASA voyager mission and made songs out of them. Do we need to say more?
THE FIELD – From Here Wo Go Sublime
A 12” vinyl edition of the Swedish DJ’s great album debut From Here Wo Go Sublime. Just wonderful, promised.
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER– Commisions I
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER‘s music is as complex as his name but really worth listening to. Especially his project Commisions I which features commissioned pieces for artworks, performances and films. The spiritual act of putting on a record, leaning back and getting lost is exactly what this music is made for.
THE FLAMING LIPS – 7 Skies H3
On Halloween 2011 THE FLAMING LIPS premiered their 24-hour piece 7 Skies H3. On RECORD STORE DAY the American experimental rockers release a 12” vinyl with a 43-minute version. This track will carry you away into the sonic spheres of subconscious.
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Long Time No Hear
VERUCA SALT – Veruca Salt
Nineties alt-rock group VERUCA SALT reports back with a 7” vinyl of their 1994’s MTV hit Seether and two new songs. The release will be the first since 1997’s Eight Arms to Hold You from the recently reunited original lineup (frontwoman Nina Gordon, guitarist Louise Post, bassist Steve Lack and drummer Jim Shapiro).
R.E.M. – Unplugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Series
The unexpected breakup of R.E.M. in 2011 was a heartbreak for many of their fans. Fortunately the band around Michael Stipe left an extensive work including two great MTV Unplugged performances that will be available as a 4 x 12” vinyl set. The series is especially interesting because between the two appearances are ten years, so it’s a good showcase.
JOY DIVISON – An Ideal for Living
It’s difficult to hear from a band if the band and its leader aren’t there anymore. At least punk’s not dead – as the reissue of JOY DIVISON‘s 1978 debut An Ideal For Living proves. It is the first time the four-track EP is officially available. Abbey Road Studios’ mastering engineer Frank Arkwright reworked it and there will also be a new artwork.
THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND – Selections from: Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre 1992
If you would add up the age of all recent and past ALLMAN BROTHERS members, there would be a four-figure number coming of. At the end of 2014 the band, that definitely was a formative part of the blues rock era, will stop touring. It was an annual tradition for THE ALLMAN BROTHERS to play at the Beacon Theater in New York. The recording of their first performance there gives you the chance to enjoy those old hands of southern rock live as often as you want to.
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