We wanted to take a second and reflect on Record Store Day which was last Saturday April 18, 2009. This was the second annual RSD and it celebrated the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA. It was great to see so many artists contribute special releases that were only sold at these independent record stores making the trip to a real store that much more exciting. Our Fire Note crew was out and about and we decided to feature some of our great finds from the day. Long live the record store!
Pavement
Live in Köln (LP)Matador Records [2009]
(2500 Copies
)
Why is it Cool: This is a simple 10 song set running 36 minute from 1998 that gives a great example of the enthusiasm and energy Pavement used to put out at their shows. Probably one of the more underrated live bands.
Beck / Sonic Youth
Jay Reatard / Sonic YouthSplit 7″
Matador Records [2009]
(2500 Copies
each)
Why is it Cool: The first of these two release with Sonic Youth and Beck covering each other is where its at! Sonic Youth tackles "Pay No Mind" from Mellow Gold while Beck takes on "Green Light" from Evol. This is what 7" is all about! The Jay Reatard / Sonic Youth split features demo versions of songs from their upcoming albums which are pretty good and still possess the cool factor with such a limited quantity out there!
The Gaslight Anthem
Live At Park Ave. 10"
SideOneDummy Records [2009]
(Limited One Time Press)
Why is it Cool: Live At Park Ave. features 6 songs that The Gaslight Anthem rarely plays live ("Film Noir", "Miles Davis & the Cool", "Blue Jeans and White T-Shirts", "The Navesink Banks", "Here's Looking at You, Kid" and a cover of "Once Upon a Time", originally written by Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise). The recording shows why The Gaslight Anthem are one of the best live bands on the road today.
The Breeders
Fate To Fatal 12" EP
Self-Released [2009]
Hand Screened Artwork by the Band
(1000 Copies
)Why is it Cool: Sure, you can now get this EP digitally but these individually hand screened and hand numbered 12" versions are the bomb. One of the more limited releases out there and a solid set of new tracks from The Breeders. The album includes a vocal track featuring Mark Lanegan and the Bob Marley cover "Chances Are" recorded with Steve Albini.
Iron & Wine
Norfolk 6/20/05 (CD)
Sub Pop Records [2009]
(5000 Copies
)Why is it Cool: Sam Beam is such a smooth artist and sounds perfect in concert. This 18 track disc was recorded during the Woman King t
our and features his full band. It also has some fun artwork in spirit of the day because it looks like the other Sub Pop RSD vinyl releases.
Obits / Vetiver / Blitzen Trapper / Flight Of Concords
7" Singles
Sub Pop Records [2009]
(1500 Copies
each/3000 Concords)Why is it Cool: These are way neater then you might first think. Not only are they extremely limited but the vinyl are all blended colors versus that boring black. Oh yeah, the bands and tracks are pretty good too - a nice representation of the current Sub Pop roster.
Bob Dylan & Bruce Springsteen
Dreaming From You 7″ (Bob)
What Love Can Do” 7″ (Bruce)
Columbia Records [2009]
(2500 Copies Each)
Why is it Cool: Major label Columbia Records got into the fun with these two releases. The songs are nothing to get crazy about but anything by Dylan & Springsteen in such a limited package is worth the price of admission. (Note - We can't get Aidan to open his Bruce because he claims it is going to be huge on ebay years from now).
My Morning Jacket
Celebracion de la Ciudad Natal 2×10″/CD
ATO Records
(Limited Vinyl Release)
Why is it Cool: Its My Morning Jacket - that's why. This live EP that runs 46 minutes is a nice set and tells us what we already know - MMJ is a great live band. The seven tracks were recorded in 2008 at Louisville's Ear-X-Tacy and Waterfront Park. The vinyl version is the one to find because of its heavy 180g quality and the fact you get a CD with it.
Jesus Lizard -
Inch 7″ 9 Singles Set
Touch & Go Records [2009]
(2000 Copies)
Why is it Cool: These 7" singles were all remastered in 2009 by Bob Weston, and are only available in this limited edition singles pack. This will give you new appreciation for the Lizard as well as get you ready when Touch & Go reissues their albums later this year. This release is also worthy because the sets are individually numbered.
The Decemberists
The Rake Song 7"
Capitol Records [2009]
(2000 Copies)
Why is it Cool: The Decemberists have already embraced the vinyl revolution with their earlier releases and The Rake Song 7" gives you the solid unreleased track "East India Lanes".
Guided By Voices
Hold On Hope EP 12"
TVT Records [2009]
(Limited Vinyl Release w/ 3 Bonus Tracks)
Why is it Cool: The kings of high priced vinyl offer up the Hold On Hope EP on 12" for the first time with three extra tracks. You really would not think anything else by GBV could be buried but you get "Surgical Focus" (different mix), "Sucker Of Pistol City" (unreleased) and "Picture Me Big Time" (demo version).
Magnolia Electric Co.
It's Made Me Cry 7"
Secretly Canadian [2009]
(Limited Vinyl Release)
Why is it Cool: It's been six years since Jason Molina has released a 7-inch and
It's Made Me Cry is a very solid and concise effort that was conceived, written, recorded and mixed over a series of five days in Bloomington, Indiana. Magnolia Electric Co. puts the sincere back into special releases.
There were some other stellar offerings on RSD that we missed out on or couldn't grab fast enough but that was part of the joy of physically shopping the bins. Can't wait till RSD 2010 - here is hoping you can't either!
NOFX
