DJ Miguel Emmanuelli scratches a record at CD Connection in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., in 2008.
DJ Miguel Emmanuelli scratches a record at CD Connection in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., in 2008.
Saturday brings the fourth iteration of Record Store Day, which celebrates (and attempts to perpetuate) the existence of mom-and-pop record shops. Participating stores around the world are planning in-store performances, contests and general joviality, while the Record Store Day organization helped commission a series of exclusive music releases — from rare T-shirts to rarer vinyl records — available only at participating retailers.
With that in mind, we took a look at the official Record Store Day release list and compiled these 10 reasons to get excited about RSD '11, arranged in descending order of copies available.
10 Reasons To Visit Your Local Music Shop Saturday
1. The Flaming Lips, 'Heady Nuggs: The First 5 Warner Bros. Records 1992-2002' (vinyl box set)
5790 copies available
The collection includes 1992's Hit to Death in the Future Head, 1993's Transmissions From the Satellite Heart, 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin and 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. That's a rich bundle of greats from everyone's psych-rock sweethearts, and it's all on 180-gram vinyl.
2. Fleet Foxes, 'Helplessness Blues' b/w 'Grown Ocean' (12" vinyl)
3000 copies available
Both tracks appear on the bearded bards' upcoming Helplessness Blues, out May 3.
3. The Black Angels, 'Another Nice Pair' (12" vinyl and MP3 download card)
2500 copies available
This release combines the Austin band's first two EPs (The Black Angels and Black Angel Exit) on one piece of red vinyl. Choose your specific copy carefully, because the band randomly selected and signed 100 inserts.
4. The Decemberists, 'Live At Bull Moose' (CD)
2500 copies available
These seven recordings — most of them songs from The Decemberists' latest album, The King Is Dead — come from a Scarborough, Maine, performance in January 2011. The short set closes with the Louvin Brothers cover "If Only I Could Win Your Love."
5. Cults, 'Abducted' b/w 'Go Outside' (7" vinyl)
2500 copies available
As if the title track from Cults' "Go Outside" weren't fun enough, the remixed version appears on this split single with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen's favorite song of 2011 so far, "Abducted."
6. Raphael Saadiq, 'Radio' b/w 'Can't Jig Anymore' (7" vinyl)
2500 copies available
Saadiq's "Radio," from the upcoming Stone Rollin', comes paired with another vintage-soulful cut.
7. Vivian Girls, 'I Heard You Say' (7" vinyl and MP3 download card)
Vivian Girls
2000 copies available
"I Heard You Say," from Vivian Girls' new album Share the Joy, is a joyful slab of girl-group rock.
8. The Luyas, 'When I Am A Woman' b/w Twin Sister, 'Meet The Frownies' (7" vinyl)
1500 copies available
Buddy bands The Luyas and Twin Sister combine their cool, electronic-laced tunes for a logical split single.
9. WILD FLAG, 'Future Crimes' b/w 'Glass Tambourine' (7" vinyl and MP3 download card)
1200 copies available
The rock supergroup, which includes erstwhile NPR Music blogger and Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein, finally unveils waxy proof of its guitar-heavy greatness.
10. Lower Dens, 'Deer Knives' b/w 'Tangiers' (7" vinyl)
1000 copies available
Leave it to this Baltimore band to beckon the witching hour at any time of day. Chances are, these two brand-new tracks summon the spirit, too.
Find a complete list of Record Store Day releases here.
What independent record shop do you plan to visit Saturday? How do you otherwise plan to celebrate? Let us know.
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