Last Saturday marked the sixth annual international Record Store Day. With each year’s events growing in popularity, businesses in 2014 spent months gearing up for special releases and one-time-only deals, observed by independent and chain music stores around the world.
For stores in the United States, Record Store Day promised albums, both live and studio, that had never been released to the public. Classic bands like The Cure and Dinosaur Jr. put out side-by-side records, while more contemporary acts like Bastille took advantage of the occasion to release the exclusive “Of The Night Picture Disk,” all on vinyl.
Below is a rundown of some of the best and worst finds of this year’s Record Store Day.
TOP 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD’VE GOTTEN
1. Cake Vinyl Box Set
Fans of Cake’s signature irreverence have been waiting 20 years for the full monte. In celebration of RSD, Cake put out a box set, complete with the band’s six studio albums and the “B-Sides and Rarities” compilation album. Along with these albums, the box set includes the never-before-released “Live at the Crystal Palace,” chronicling a 2005 performance at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.
2. The Orwells – “The Righteous One”
This 12” is the debut of two new songs from Illinois alt-rockers The Orwells. The title track delivers more heavily rocking material from the usually light-hearted band. Despite the members’ youth, “The Righteous One” shows The Orwells has been doing its homework in the way of hooks as well as some grunge theory. The record’s second track, “Always N Forever,” is a dreary call to romance more in line with The Orwells’ content. This release is a sample of what’s to come in the summer from the popular new face of youthful music.
3. Circa Survive/Sunny Day Real Estate – “Bad Heart/Lipton Witch”
This Record Store Day was a day for reprisal and rejuvenation. That sentiment was not spared for California emo music pioneer Sunny Day Real Estate. Since disbanding in 2000 after an album and attempted revival, SDRE is back, splitting a 7” with Philadelphia rock band Circa Survive. SDRE’s new song, titled “Lipton Witch,” is just as heavy as anything the band has made before, but shows that the now 40-something members have gathered more popular rock sensibilities.
4. The Pogues – “The Pogues with Joe Strummer LIVE in London”
The year 1991 proved to be a dark time for London punks The Pogues, both for fans and the band itself. Following the departure of frontman Shane MacGowan, the members brought Joe Strummer, formerly of The Clash. This album makes history of a 1991 show at the London Forum. One of its more important tracks is Strummer’s rousing rendition of The Pogues’ classic “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,” most recently rediscovered in a Subaru commercial. This is the first vinyl pressing of this concert and the only physical release available in the U.S.
5. DEVO – “Live at Max’s Kansas City: November 15, 1977”
This record’s title says everything fans need to know. Before it became the art rock punching bag of popular music with “Whip It,” DEVO proved itself ahead of the game. This New York show displays DEVO’s raw energy as a live band. The essential classic “Uncontrollable Urge” triumphs as a crowd-pleaser. A special bonus of this concert is the eloquent introduction by Godfather of Glam David Bowie, who decreed DEVO as “the band of the future.”
TOP 5 THINGS TO LEAVE IN THE STORE
1. MGMT – “Congratulations” Reissue
MGMT’s sophomore album “Congratulations” came on the heels of the duo’s debut opus “Oracular Spectacular.” This second album’s failure to meet the debut’s popularity ended in diminished sales and fan backlash. Many diehards defend “Congratulations” despite popular response. This reissue offers nothing new or exciting to fans wanting to try the album once more. Even though this Record Store Day issuing offers special numbered copies, there are no hidden tracks or exclusive band-made art.
2. The Zombies – “Odessey and Oracle” Reissue
“Odessey and Oracle” catapulted The Zombies into the annals of psych pop history. With its hit “Time of the Season,” The Zombies played the part of humble musicians experiencing massive success. From there, the band fell into a hiatus of 23 years. This Record Store Day release of “Odessey” brings nothing to fans still hanging onto The Zombies’ legacy. Since its original issue, the album has been easily found through both record stores and the Internet.
3. Oasis – “Supersonic” Reissue
The song “Supersonic” marked the beginning of Oasis’s tumultuous existence. This record includes the non-single “Take Me Away” and a live version of “I Will Believe.” This release comes in the wake of further affirmation by both Noel and Liam Gallagher that Oasis will not be reuniting. “Supersonic” shows the continued interest in Oasis despite the band’s lack of work since 2009.
4. Drake Bell – “I Won’t Stand In Your Way”
For most young people, the idea of Drake Bell playing music usually results in memories of Bell’s song “I Found A Way” playing to the opening credits of the Nickelodeon hit sitcom “Drake and Josh.” Since the show’s end, Bell has a made a new name for himself, going from teenage Nick heartthrob to full-fledged musician. However, Bell’s star factor doesn’t seem to translate in the music world. There’s no doubt that he can play guitar, but Bell’s “I Won’t Stand In Your Way” throws too much into the mix. There are clear slivers of both Elvis Presley and The Beach Boys, which sound good on paper, but sound messy and thrown together when put into Bell’s hands.
5. Norman Greenbaum – “Spirit In The Sky” Reissue
There is little to say about a Record Store Day release of Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 hit “Spirit In The Sky.” This record serves as nothing more than a reissue, allowing Greenbaum enthusiasts to get a hold of the vinyl copy of an album that’s been highly available since its original release. Along with vinyl sales through the years, the digitization of music has made “Spirit” accessible to millions of music fans, meaning this reissuing is a forgettable effort by the record industry.