Record Store Day 2015: What To Look For

Published on April 17th, 2015 in: Music |

By Tyler Hodg

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With the annual Record Store Day creeping up quickly—April 18, to be exact—now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to purchase. There are tons of great bands participating this year, but, as usual, these releases aren’t promoted in the same way a full-length album of new material would be. That’s why I’ve assembled a short list of some my personal “need to check out”s, “might be good”s and “WTF?”s for Record Store Day 2015:

Need to check out

David Bowie, “Changes”/”Eight Line Poem” and David Bowie/Tom Verlaine, “Kingdom Come”
Usual suspect David Bowie is ready for another round of Record Store Day. This year, Mr. Bowie has two releases (which is wimp talk compared to Bruce Springsteen’s five) and is delivering something that is definitely worth your time.

First up is a picture disc for the previously limited “Changes/Eight Line Poem.” The single was used by Bowie to secure a record deal, meaning that an independent record company pressed very few copies. This will be the first pressing since its initial run.

The second release for Bowie will be a split record with Tom Verlaine. A current trend lately has been two artists performing the same song and sticking them together as a package, and that’s exactly what this vinyl is. Side one features Tom Verlaine’s original version of “Kingdom Come”, while side two is David Bowie’s cover. Both versions kick ass and so will this vinyl.

Sloan, Alternates
Just one day before their second Coachella performance, Sloan is releasing a vinyl called Alternates, which is, well, alternate versions of songs off of their latest album Commonwealth. The band is no stranger to vinyl, having recently released multiple (official) bootlegs and the awesome Twice Removed boxset. Sloan has never disappointed, so why would they start now?

Might be good

Mastodon, “Atlanta”
Mastodon may not be teaming up with Feist again this year (that would have been in both the “need to get” and “WTF” sections), but they are still releasing something pretty cool. Their single “Atlanta,” which was previously only available digitally, features vocals by Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers) and stylistic artwork by Mastodon member Brent Hinds.

OFF!, Live From The BBC
OFF!, who is coincidentally sharing the stage with Sloan this year at Coachella, will participate in 2015’s Record Store Day with their very first live album titled Live From The BBC. The band is known for their high-energy, aggressive punk sound, so the notion of an OFF! live album sounds like a pretty promising endeavor.

WTF?

Billie Joe Armstrong/Travis Barker/Jane Wiedlin/Roddy Bottum, Live Freaky! Die Freaky!
Three songs featured on the soundtrack for the Manson Family-themed animated film Live Freaky! Die Freaky! have been compiled and will be released on a limited edition picture disc. I have to be honest, I had not heard of the project prior to seeing this release but everything about this vinyl—and movie respectively—seems so ridiculous that it is either going to be a trainwreck or absurdly awesome. Billie Joe Armstrong, Travis Barker, Jane Wiedlin, and Roddy Bottum all lend their talents to the songs included on this album.

And there you have it, a short list of what I’m looking forward to getting. I’d love to hear what you’re anticipating, so make sure to leave your comments below!



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