From Outkast to Metallica, here are some gems coming out this RSD.
This year’s annual celebration of record stores comes at an a propos time: vinyl sales may be at highest levels since the late ‘80s but brick-and-mortar record stores are closing left and right. On April 16, over 1000 independent record stores across the globe come together to celebrate the vintage wax format.
For the 9th year running, hundreds of special Record Store Day vinyl will be released around the annual event. Exclusive releases run the gamut from re-released 7’’ singles to extensive box sets—on vinyl of all style and colors. There’s even a Disney-themed official Record Store Day turntable released from Crosley.
With all that in mind, here are the 8 best Record Store Day releases to keep on your radar while you go crate-digging.
‘The Man Who Sold the World’ reissue, David Bowie
In honor of the rock legend’s untimely passing, this reissue of the 1970 record The Man Who Sold the World is one of three Bowie releases for Record Store Day this year. The nine-track LP, arguably Bowie’s first foray into glam rock, comes on a 12’’ picture disc and features the quirky artwork from the album’s original German release. (Bowie’s other 2016 RSD releases include the single “TVC 15” on a 7’’ picture disc and a collection of songs he recorded at London’s Pye Studios entitled I Dig Everything — the Pye Singles 1966.)
Origami box set, Lush
Ahead of the ‘90s shoegazers reunion this month, embrace the all-encompassing dream pop of Lush. The Origami box set features all of the English group’s releases: Spooky (1992), Split (1994), Lovelife (1996) and singles compilations Gala (1990) and Topolino (1996). If you’re a fan of My Bloody Valentine, Explosions in the Sky or Beach House, you’ll want to check the box set from this seminal group out.
‘Disney Favorite Songs,’ Various Artists
Get the young’uns excited about vinyl records with this 12’’ record and the companion RSD exclusive Disney turntable from Crosley. The LP features Disney classics like “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Let It Go.” The briefcase-style portable turntable sporting Mickey Mouse and Pluto on the cover plays 33s, 45s and 78s and features built-in stereo speakers.
‘Horses: Live at Electric Lady Studios,’ Patti Smith
This double LP live album, featuring hits like “Gloria” and “Redondo Beach” recorded live at Electric Lady Studios, celebrates the 40th anniversary of Smith’s classic debut record Horses. The punk legend’s performance of the record last summer was full of “life, fire and spit,” according to Billboard. The 180g vinyl records are the first release from Electric Lady Records, a new imprint of the record label.
Heady Nuggs Vol. II Studio Albums 2006 – 2012, Flaming Lips
Bring some of Wayne Coyne’s creative eccentricities into your record collection with this limited edition box set. The psych rock vets teamed up with RSD to release a massive eight LP box set featuring the rockers’ recent albums including At War With the Mystics, Christmas on Mars, Embryonic, and The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends. The colorful group from Oklahoma City previously released Heady Nuggs Volume 1, featuring the group’s records from 1994 to 1997, last year.
‘Melancholy Mood,’ Bob Dylan
An essential for Dylan superfans, the limited edition 7’’ vinyl EP features four songs from the crooner’s upcoming record Fallen Angels (out May 20). Like Dylan’s last record, “Melancholy Mood” and the other tracks from the record are covers that the late Frank Sinatra popularized. The release, pressed on 7’’ red vinyl, was originally created for Bob Dylan’s recent Japanese tour.
‘Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica! – Live at Le Bataclan,’ Metallica
The metal legends—and 2016 RSD ambassadors—release a live 2003 concert from Le Bataclan in recognition of the Paris attacks on the venue this past November. The nine-track record features hits like “Fade to Black,” “Ride The Lightning” and “Frantic.” Record Store Day and independent record stores will donate the proceeds from the release to Fondation de France’s Give For France charity.
“Elevators (Me & You),” Outkast
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Outkast’s ATLiens, the Atlanta hip-hop juggernauts re-release 1996 hit “Elevators (Me & You)” on 10’’ fluorescent green vinyl. The release also features four mixes of the Gold certified trip hop single.
