The 10 Most Anticipated Record Store Day 2013 Releases
It’s that time of the year again, everybody! The best holiday of the year (yes, better than National Ferris Wheel Day AND Leif Erikson Day) has returned. I’ve been going to Record Store Day since 2009, and even when I didn’t look up the releases beforehand, I’d still walk out of my favorite record store (RIP Cutlers in New Haven) with something unique and special. Unique and special is what Record Store Day does incredibly well, and it’s why we love it so much. Since its relatively humble beginnings in 2008, the event has grown in popularity every year. So even if you don’t get out to record stores much anymore, this is one of those days where you want to try.
Of course the growth in popularity also means there are more and more releases each year to check out, and that can be a little overwhelming. And it’s even harder in this, the year of Jack White, because the roster of records is especially great. There are some fascinating new singles from the likes of Pulp and Black Lips and Icky Blossoms, plus a cassette featuring new material from MGMT’s upcoming album. There are extravagant reissues like the chess board box-set of GZA’s Liquid Swords and a quadruple disc version of the Flaming Lips’ Zaireeka (perfect for anyone who owns four record players, I guess). Also look for some fantastic movie soundtracks for Dazed And Confused and Mondo’s gorgeous release of the Drive soundtrack. Finally there are some strange outliers like South Park’s “Gay Fish” single and one of the most enticing releases this year — a completely covered 7″ listed only as Mystery Release.
But hold on there, because all these are just the honorable mentions to our 10 most anticipated releases for this year’s Record Store Day. Some of these are reissues, some are exciting collaborations, and some are bizarre experiments. All of them, however, are worth your time. So take a look at our list, and try not to shove people too hard when you’re all fighting over the last copy of that Ringo Starr solo album.
Brian Eno X Nicolas Jaar X Grizzly Bear - Lux/Sleeping Ute (Warp Records)
No it's not a collaboration, but it's still really cool. Nicolas Jaar, who has made a strong mark on house music with his jazzy fluidity, is remixing a section of Eno's 2012 ambient record Lux as well as "Sleeping Ute," the opener from Grizzly Bear's fantastic Shields.
Pussy Galore - Groovy Hate Fuck (SHOVE)
Jon Spencer's old band Pussy Galore can always spew bile with the best of them, and their long out of print EP Groovy Hate Fuck sounds exactly like its title.
Grateful Dead - Rare Cuts and Oddities 1966 (Rhino)
This collection gathers some both live and studio recordings of the Dead at their earliest, and it apparently contains the only known Jerry Garcia-sung version of "Promised Land." Also, just look at that sweet picture of them on the cover.
Oval - 94 Diskont (Thrill Jockey)
Oval's masterpiece still sounds completely unique in electronic music. Oval made the record by mangling CDs with markers, tape, and razor blade to create the skipping distorted atmosphere and sound associated with glitch. Despite the brutal methods to create 94 Diskont, it often sounds incredibly pretty, even pastoral at time. This reissue also features a second disc with remixes by Jim O'Rourke, Mouse On Mars, and more.
Husker Du - Amusement (Numero Group)
Husker Du's first release ever, in all its pissed off glory. The double single release is an attempt to recreate what the band originally envisioned as a four-song 10". The three studio cuts are great, but "Amusement," recorded live in a bar is worth admission alone.
Codeine - What About The Lonely (Numero Group)
This Codeine live album was taken from a November 1993 performance in Chicago and features David Grubbs playing guitar. This was roughly a month after Grubbs first teamed up with Jim O'Rourke to record as Gastr Del Sol, and if you're familiar with them you know Grubbs has guitar chops that few can touch.
The Band - The Last Waltz (Rhino)
Often called the best concert movie of all time, the soundtrack to The Last Waltz is a triple album recording of exactly that. Usually the best way to experience it is with the movie, but you can't complain when the music is this good. In fact the parade of guest stars is so effective; it almost seems like an afterthought when Bob Dylan shows up at the end.
Various Artists - No Alternative (Legacy)
One of the best compilations to come from Red Hot's AIDS benefit series (still going strong since 2009's Dark Was The Night). No Alternative was a benefit comp, but it was also rock music circa 1993 compressed into a single disc of new songs from Pavement, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys, and a ton more. This is the first time this has ever been released on vinyl.
Stephen Malkmus And Friends - Can's Ege Bamyasi (Matador)
In an old interview with Stephen Malkmus, he mentioned listening to Ege Bamyasi every night before he went to bed for about three years. And in the beginning of this performance of that entire album (with a slightly rearranged tracklist) Stephen refers to the '70s krautrock band as "Top 10 best ever," then corrects himself to say, "Maybe even Top 3." This is cool for people who've never heard of the band, or the diehard fans that insist Tago Mago is better. Ege Bamyasi was always the best entry point for Can and everything from the motorik percussion and the guitar work to Stephen's attempt to sing like Damo Suzuki is a loving tribute.
