The fourth annual Record Store Day is this Saturday, and for those of us with deep enough pockets and the fortitude to stand in line with other music snobs for limited edition vinyl, this year’s event is worth getting up early for. But before you rush out Saturday morning check out our list of some interesting and coveted releases. We’ve highlighted U.S. releases only, but if you’re lucky enough to live in the U.K. maybe you would be kind enough to send us a copy of the Beastie Boys “Make Some Noise” 7″ or perhaps the Radiohead “Supercollider/The Butcher” single. For the entire Record Store Day 2011 release catalog head to their official website. Share your most anticipated releases and some of your lucky finds in our forum.
Fleet Foxes – “Helplessness Blues b/w Grown Ocean”
Label: SPP Format: 12” Run: 3,000
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues by subpop
Beth Ditto – EP
Label: Columbia Format: 12” Run: 2,000
One of my favorite releases of the year, Beth Ditto’s EP (produced by Simian Mobile Disco) is the perfect combination of stellar vocals and SMD’s techno polish. Ditto’s voice is unmatched in the way it commands the attention of every listener, and the second the dark and bouncy synth on “Open Heart Surgery” fades in it’s hard not to fall in love. The EP is as much of a triumph for Simian Mobile Disco as it is for Ditto, as their production appeals to both pop and electro fans alike, making this RSD release a compelling release for fans of both collaborators.
Derek and the Dominoes – “Got to Get Better in a Little While b/w Layla”
Label: UMe Format: 7” Run: 2,500
The one thing I love about RSD is the amount of great classic rock ‘n roll songs released each year for the event. Derek and the Dominoes’ “Got to Get Better in a Little While” and the B-Side “Layla” is certainly on that list. We all know the story of “Layla,” Clapton’s love song to George Harrison’s wife, but the previously unreleased “Got to Get Better in a Little While” was recorded during the same session. While the song surfaced a long time ago, it’s still nice to see this excellent track seeing an official release.
Cults “Abducted” b/w Go Outside (remix)”
Label: ITNO/Columbia Format: 7” Run: 2,500
Sure, they might not even have an album out yet, but that doesn’t mean that dream pop duo Cults don’t deserve the attention they’ve been garnering. With Madeline Follin’s powerfully sexy vocals and Brian Oblivion’s crisp guitar playing, Cults have the Internet in the palm of their hand. The band’s RSD release is a 7” for a brand new track, “Abducted,” backed with a remix of their first single “Go Outside.” NPR has a stream of “Abducted,” which premiered on All Songs Considered last week. Expanding their sound a bit more, “Abducted” sounds heavier than the band’s previous songs, focusing more on the drums and guitar than xylophones and Follin’s vocals.
Beach Boys “Good Vibrations b/w Heroes and Villains”
Label: Capitol Format: 2 X 10” Run: 5,000
If you’re reading about RSD, there probably isn’t much you don’t already know about The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes and Villains.” But that just means it’s that much more of a coveted release, as this 78 RPM double 10” features two versions of each Beach Boys classic. The second disc of the release will have an “early version” of “Good Vibrations” and an “alternate take” of “Heroes and Villains,” which knowing Beach Boys recordings, could mean two completely new and unreleased versions. I’m starting to regret not having a deck that plays 78 RPM records.
Franz Ferdinand – Covers E.P.
Label: Domino Format: 12” Run: 500
An interesting lineup for this very limited RSD release of Franz Ferdinand covers. A post-mortem LCD Soundystem, former Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry and Peaches among others, this collection of tracks sounds spectacular if you can manage to get your hands on one of the 500 pressings. As an LCD Soundsystem fanboy I’m excited for the release, and after hearing their fuzzy and blissful cover of “Live Alone,” I’ll be lining up early for this 12”.
LCD Soundsystem – Live Alone (Franz Ferdinand cover) by DominoRecordCo
Guided By Voices Tribute – Sing For Your Meat
Label: No More Fake Labels Format: 2 X 12” Run: 500
Not many full albums get the RSD treatment, but this 2 LP tribute album is not to be missed. Sing For Your Meat boasts an impressive collaboration of artists and 29 different covers of classic Guided By Voices tracks. Flaming Lips, Blitzen Trapper, Thurston Moore, and Cymbals Eat Guitars are the standouts on this limited release, which is pressed on a gorgeous mixed color vinyl. It’s a “Regional Release,” so not every area will stock it, but for the stores that do get it Sing For Your Meat is sure to go quickly.
Ty Segall – Ty Rex
Label: Goner Records Format: 12” Run: unknown
Bay Area psych rocker Ty Segall is apparently embracing all those T. Rex comparisons, as he’s set to release an EP of six T. Rex covers for RSD. It’s one of the most exciting releases of the event, as Segall is one the few guitarists to have the same skill and energy that Bolan once possessed. “Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart” premiered this week, and Segall tears through the less-glam Bolan track with an authority and bravado that makes it feel like T. Rex never left. It’s almost spooky how both artists have the same signature high-pitched vocal oscillation. Ty Rex is the perfect RSD project, and one release you should wake up early for.
Ty Segall: “Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart” (T. Rex Cover) by alteredzones
Rhymesayers – Picture Disc
Label: Rhymesayers Format: 12” Run: 1,000
Minneapolis’ prolific hip-hop label Rhymesayers are putting out a 2011 sampler on RSD with this limited picture disc. With six new and exclusive tracks from artists like Atmosphere, Evidence, Brother Ali, and P.O.S. previewing this year’s upcoming releases on the label, this 12” might be my most anticipated release for RSD. The disc’s excellent art is done by Ohio collaborator Chris Gliebe aka Devious.
The Doors – “Riders on the Storm”
Label: Rhino Format: 7” Run: 2,500
Even though you could probably pick up a copy of The Doors’ L.A. Woman for the price of this exclusive RSD release, the “Riders on the Storm” 40th anniversary 7” is worth checking out. Distributed with one of three different international artwork sleeves and backed with the original mono recording, this is a great package for all those Doors completionists out there. I’m picking it up because I still get chills every time that first cackle of thunder plays in the background.
Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy Soundtrack
Label: Walt Disney Records Format: 12” Run: unknown
Available to this point only as a CD, Daft Punk will finally be releasing their excellent Tron: Legacy score as a 12” for RSD. The music isn’t the only draw with this release, as the 12” will be fashioned to resemble the Identity Discs from the Tron universe. I wouldn’t suggest trying to use this to play a game of Disc Wars, but you can definitely rock out to “Disc Wars” with it.
Bear in Heaven and Lindstrom – “Lovesick (Bear in Heaven Version) b/w Lovesick Teenagers (Lindstrom Remix)”
Label: Hometapes Format: 12” Run: 850
In classic split single form, Bear in Heaven and Lindstrom come together to rework each other’s tracks. Lindstrom’s remix of “Lovesick Teenagers” is an exhaustive and hypnotic ten minute piece, crafting the guitar riffs into a more playful version of the original. Bear in Heaven’s cover of Lindstrom & Christabelle’s “Lovesick” takes the original disco charm and trades it in for a more bombastic and glitchy re-imagining, a cover that’s entirely Bear in Heaven. It’s disco pop turned electro rock, and vice versa, and it absolutely rocks.
Bear In Heaven “Lovesick Teenagers (Lindstrøm Remix)” by Hometapes
Mastadon/ZZ Top “Just Got Paid (Mastadon Version) b/w Original”
Label: Warner Brothers Format: 7” Run: 5,000
Though you might be spending all the money you just got paid on RSD, this 7” features one of the most feel-good rock ‘n roll songs ever recorded. On the A-Side of the yellow vinyl you’ll find Georgia metal legends Mastadon covering ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid,” with the bearded duo’s original cut on the B-Side. 50 of the 5,000 pressings will be on clear vinyl, making this 45 rpm an even more enticing purchase for collectors.
