Record Store Day!

[Alison]

Ok, so according to the counter thingy on the the Record Store Day website, Record Store Day will be ensuing at your local wax peddler in four days and two hours.  That's assuming you still have a record store in your town.  In Atlanta, we are in danger of losing one of our most popular record stores, Criminal Records. The store's owner, Eric Levin, is also one of the founders of Record Store Day.  After Criminal announced that they were in dire straits last fall, our community rallied around the store with benefit concerts, fundraisers, and donations, which resulted in a stay of execution for the beleaguered store. 

Hopefully, you will rally around your store this Saturday and take advantage of the insane amount of exclusive releases that will be for sale.  Of course, I am just as excited by the free swag, like the cool record carrying satchel I scored a couple of years ago.  But what release am I most hoping to find?  Why, the Buck Owens Coloring Book with Flexi disc - Duh!  Now what releases are you guys trying to get your grubby hands on?

Turf War - Record Store Day 2011

[Polyvinyl Craftsmen]

My take on it is that if the records labels really wanted to support the independent stores they wouldn't just do it for one day each year. Having one day each year is good for publicity but only gets people who don't usually visit these stores to go there once each year. How about if the labels spread these releases out over the year but still only made them available to independent stores. This would work in two ways, it would get people to the stores more regularly and would also allow those of us who buy the overpriced vinyl they release to spread the cost and not have to take it all in one hit.

Having RSD supplemented over the year with more exclusives would be good for all concerned I reckon.

[John Battles]

  I agree. But it won't stop gouging , later on , from corrupt individuals. I heard one theif , I mean , merchant , charged $125 for a RSD 45 , after the fact. Enough people jumped in his shit about it. But , it goes without saying , these overpriced items may be rarities to people who never go to record stores , but , labels like Sundazed , much as I like 'em , definitely failed. For $12 a 45 , they could have offered more material that is'nt readily available . But , it was'nt just them. They were just one of the  only labels I had any interest in.

You're better served ,in my humble opinion , supporting the smaller stores who are'nt selling "The vinyls" exclusive to RSD , just offering substantial bargains on their own stock.

[Tucker BBR]

I picked up the JEFF the Brotherhood Live at United 12" which is pretty pysched-out and fuzzy. I also snagged the Pujol "Reverse Vampire" 7" which is really awesome and has a sweet B-side called "Psychic Pain".