Record Store Day 2015: What to Look For
As you know by now, there is a stupidly large number of great Record Store Day releases that officially become available tomorrow (April 18.) While we don’t want to overly influence anyone on what to buy, here’s a collection of 10 albums that Riffyou.com recommends.
(Editor’s Note: This list could’ve easily been substantially longer.)
The 101ers
Elgin Avenue Breakdown (Revisited)
2 x 12″ LPs
What it is: Before The Clash, this was where Joe Strummer called home. This album is a compilation of The 101ers’ original recordings and although this has previously been made available on vinyl and CD, it has to be assumed that not everyone jumped upon this ship when they first had the chance.
Why buy it: Umm, because it’s Joe Strummer.
Ryan Adams
Come Pick Me Up
7″ Single
What it is: “Come Pick Me Up” is one of Ryan Adams’ quintessential tracks and here fans are treated to an alternate take of it. On the B-side is “When the Rope Gets Tight,” a previously unreleased song.
Why buy it: Ryan Adams may release a bunch of 7″ recordings independently throughout the year, but this one may be easier to get seeing as it won’t be easy to gobble up by his devoted online fan base.
David Bowie
Changes
7″ Picture Disc
What it is: As described by RSD: “The previously unreleased AA side was recorded in 1971 for a small run of promo LPs made to secure David Bowie a record deal.”
Why buy it: Apart from “Changes” being one of Bowie’s most iconic songs, the vinyl itself looks like a piece of art. If you choose never to listen to the 7″, it’ll remain magnificent to look at.
Citizen Dick
Touch Me I’m Dick
7″ Single
What it is: Citizen Dick is fictional band from the ’90s film Singles. In the movie, the band consisted of Matt Dillon and members of Pearl Jam.
Why buy it: For fans of grunge and ’90s rock, the answer is simple: it’s Pearl Jam. For everyone else: it’s one of this year’s most unique releases.
Father John Misty
I Loved You, Honeybee
7″ Heart Shape Single
What it is: It’s a heart shaped vinyl from one of modern music’s rising singer-songwriters.
Why buy it: Just look at it – are you saying you wouldn’t want this in your collection?
Foo Fighters
Songs from the Laundry Room
10″
What it is: Songs from the Laundry Room features early demo versions of Foo Fighters tracks “Alone + Easy Target” and “Big Me,” not to mention “Empty Handed,” a never-before-heard offering from the band.
Why buy it: Dave Grohl is the 2015 Record Store Day Ambassador god damn it. Just buy his work and don’t ask any questions.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five/Stiff Little Fingers
The Message
Side-by-Side 7″
What it is: Thee most influential (and likely sampled) hip-hop track of all time is re-visited on this magnificent 7″ along with a B-side consisting of a punked-out version of it by Stiff Little Fingers.
Why buy it: Even if you’re not a hip-hop fan, “The Message” is a musical masterpiece that remains relevant to this day and should be known by all.
Billie Joe Armstrong/Travis Barker
Live Freaky! Die Freaky!
7″ Picture Disc
What it is: As explained by RSD: “Three all-star tunes from the soundtrack to Live Freaky! Die Freaky!, John Roecker’s 2005 stop-motion-animated musical film based upon the Manson Family saga.”
Why buy it: For fans of Green Day, Blink-182 and general weirdness, how could one resist something like this? Like, just look at this thing and not get shivers…
Metallica
No Life Til Leather
Cassette
What it is: This is a a remastered version of Metallica’s demo tape. A good chunk of the songs here can be found on the band’s epic debut, Kill Em All.
Why buy it: Even if a cassette player for you is hard to come by, this is a re-documentation of history. It shows Metallica at its youngest – and most likely – least restricted. It’s a must have for any heavy music fan.
The White Stripes
Get Behind Me Satan
2 x 12″ LPs
What it is: This is the first time that Get Behind Me Satan will be commercially available on vinyl. The double-LP edition has been pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with one record coloured red, the other white.
Why buy it: Because Jack White is telling you to.
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