The announcements for exclusive Record Store Day releases are coming through by the dozen these days. Today, Warner Bros. Records announced that on April 21, it will make a series of vinyl albums and singles available in honor of the 5th annual Record Store Day – a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.
Peruse the list below, which includes releases from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Clapton, Mastodon, Metallica, The Black Keys, Wilco, Jeff The Brotherhood and many, many more. Also check out our reports from previous Record Store Days, in which we explored the inevitable extinction of the record store, we rediscovered our passion for vinyl and even learned how to make records with Duke Ellington.
But most of all, we want to share a quote from Jack White about the importance of respecting the ritual of supporting your local record store:
“I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, Guardians, and neighborhood ne’er do wells, start taking younger people that look up to them to a real record store and show them what an important part of life music really is. I trust no one who hasn’t time for music. What a shame to leave a child, or worse, a generation orphaned from one of life’s great beauties. And to the record stores, artists, labels, DJs, and journalists; we’re all in this together. Show respect for the tangible music that you’ve dedicated your careers and lives to, and help It from becoming nothing more than disposable digital data.”
Record Store Day releases from Warner Bros:
The Black Keys: El Camino (Deluxe vinyl album)
A stunning and highly collectible deluxe vinyl issue of the critically acclaimed 2011 album from The Black Keys. Cut for vinyl from the master tapes at Bernie Grundman Mastering and pressed at Pallas for sonic perfection. This album will never sound or look better. This RSD exclusive package also contains a bonus CD, a limited edition poster, and a two song 45 rpm 7″ single featuring previously unreleased live tracks: “Sister” and “Money Maker.”
Gary Clark Jr.: Gary Clark Jr. Presents HWUL Cuts Vol. I (12″ vinyl single)
A RSD exclusive contains two previously unreleased live tracks, “If You Love Me Like You Say” and “Bright Lights” capture over twenty minutes of music from one of the most anticipated guitar players in music today. This first-ever vinyl release from Clark is sure to be sought out by fans and collectors alike. Cut at 45 rpm by Bernie Grundman Mastering for the very best in analog sound quality and presentation.
Eric Clapton: Blues (Deluxe Vinyl Album Box Set)
Released to critical acclaim leading up to RSD’s Back To Black Friday 2011, this limited edition box set is close to selling out. The set includes all three of Eric Clapton’s seminal blues albums, From The Cradle, Riding With The King (with B.B. King) and Me And Mr. Johnson, remastered from original source material for vinyl. First time vinyl versions of these albums afford the listener an absolutely stellar new audio experience. With little more than 1,000 box sets left it’s time to get your hands on this audiophile treasure.
Common: The Dreamer/The Believer (12″ vinyl album)
A limited edition offering featuring exclusive album art of Common’s ninth studio album for Record Store Day. The Dreamer/The Believer reunites Common with producer No. I.D., who produced the rapper’s most acclaimed CDs. Robust tracks revere and update the past, such as the retro-soul, Curtis Mayfield-influenced “Lovin’ I Lost” and tremulously beautiful “Gold.”
Wilco / Billy Bragg: Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions (3 CD and 1 DVD)
On April 21, 2012 Nonesuch releases Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions, which includes: Mermaid Avenue; Mermaid Avenue Vol. II (re-mastered); Mermaid Avenue Vol. III, comprising 17 previously unreleased recordings made during the Mermaid Avenue sessions; director Kim Hopkins’ 1999 film Man in the Sand, which documents those sessions; and a 48-page booklet with new liner notes by Nora Guthrie, full lyrics, archival photographs, and facsimiles of lyric sheets and sketches by Woody Guthrie.
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr.: We Almost Lost Detroit EP (12″ vinyl EP)
A Record Store Day exclusive containing three remixes and three covers, including Madonna’s “Like A Prayer,” “I Think Of You” by Sixto Rodriguez (both exclusive to this release only) and the memorable Gil Scott Heron cover “We Almost Lost Detroit” from their debut album IT’S A CORPORATE WORLD and remixes by Stepdad, Phantasmagoria, and Chuck Daniels. This six-song single disc is cut at 45 rpm by Bernie Grundman Mastering.
Disturbed: The Collection (Vinyl Album Box Set)
We are proud to announce the definitive Disturbed vinyl box-set edition, THE COLLECTION. A five-album, six-disc offering of the band’s complete studio album discography featuring The Sickness (2000), Believe (2002), Ten Thousand Fists (2005), Indestructible (2008), and Asylum (2010). A career retrospective spanning ten years and 18 Billboard Top 100 hits of sophisticated and life-altering heavy music. For this box set, each album has been carefully mastered and pressed on 140-gram vinyl for the very best in audio quality. Each album has been meticulously showcased in a stunning art presentation that is unique and exclusive to this release. This is a limited edition box of only 2500 units worldwide.
Dr. John: Locked Down (Vinyl album)
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted boogie and blues pianist with an inimitable growl of a voice, Dr. John’s most enduring achievements have fused New Orleans R&B, rock, and the Mardi Gras party spiritto come up with his own brand of “voodoo” music. Dr. John’s new album, Locked Down (due April 3rd), is a bold statement produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and will be Dr. John’s first for Nonesuch Records.
Fleetwood Mac: Fleetwood Mac (Deluxe and Standard vinyl editions)
What can be said about this classic album that has not been said before? Originally released in 1975 and representing not only a rebirth of the band, with the edition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, but really a second debut for a group firmly rooted in the rock genre, now reinventing themselves into a pop rock force in a way that few other artists can lay claim to. The album includes the iconic songs “Rhiannon,” “Say You Love Me,” and “Over My Head.” Cut for vinyl at Bernie Grundman Mastering from the original analog tapes and pressed in both 33 rpm and 45 rpm for the very best in audio presentation. A collectible and definitive version for any generation.
Jeff The Brotherhood: Upstairs at United Vol. 3 (12″ vinyl EP) This release is a 3 song EP of JEFF The Brotherhood as a 5 piece band (recorded live to tape) performing “Master Of The Universe” by Hawkwind (from the album of the same name), a brain-melting new track called “In Space, Nobody Can Hear You Scream” plus a reprised “cover” of “I’m A Freak.” Pressed at 45rpm for greater sonic impact at United Record Pressing and distributed by URP Music Distributors and 453 Music. You have no idea what you’re in for…
Kimbra: Settle Down (Deluxe CD EP)
International newcomer Kimbra’s digital EP is being re-released as a physical CD just in time for RSD and her tour with Gotye. The five-song release, which now includes the sultry “Good Intent,” also features title track “Settle Down” as well as a remix of “Cameo Lover”.
Metallica: Beyond Magnetic (12″ color vinyl EP)
Beyond Magnetic consists of four outtakes from the 2008 Death Magnetic sessions and is available for the first time on silver vinyl just for RSD. A potent and exceptionally well-produced example of Metallica’s most recent work, which can hold its own with anything within their vast heavy music cannon. Previously unreleased on vinyl and includes a limited edition Metallica sticker.
Mastodon / Feist “A Commotion”/ “Black Tongue” (7″ vinyl single)
A very exclusive and highly anticipated RSD pressing features Mastodon covering the Feist song “A Commotion,” while Feist covers Mastodon’s “Black Tongue.” A unique and highly buzzed-about Record Store Day prize.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium (Deluxe 180 Gram vinyl Box Set)
On April 14, 2012, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and to commemorate this historic event, this classic Deluxe box set of the band’s first number one album will be specially priced for Record Store Day. The Deluxe package was mastered for vinyl by Steve Hoffman and includes two 16-page booklets – “Jupiter” and “Mars.” The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four Grammy® Awards for Stadium Arcadium including: Best Rock Album, Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package in addition to Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for their chart-topping, record-breaking single “Dani California.”
Ximena Sarinana: Maps / La Llorona (7″ vinyl single)
A two-song 7″ from an exceptionally original and emerging artist, featuring two audio tracks: “Maps” (a Yeah Yeah Yeah’s cover) from Rolling Stone Live and “La Llorona” (a Latin America folk song) from KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” A special release to celebrate her Coachella 2012 appearance.
Regina Spektor: “The Prayer of François Villon (Molitva)”/ “Old Jacket (Stariy Pedjak)” (7″ color vinyl single)
A RSD exclusive features two b-sides from Regina’s upcoming album What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, due in May. This single on white vinyl, mastered by Bob Ludwig, features two songs originally penned by Russian Poet/Musician Bulat Okudzhava, and are performed completely in Russian.
Tegan and Sara: Get Along (12″ color vinyl album)
A Record Store Day exclusive – never before on vinyl. Featuring music from the 2011 Get Along release, comprised of 15 favorites like “Alligator,” “Call It Off,” “Monday Monday Monday,” and “Sentimental Tune.” This single live disc, pressed on 12″ white vinyl, finds the duo waltzing through its 15-year career with the kind of ease and amiable confidence that can only come from longtime friends who also happen to be siblings.
Side by Side 2012 Series:
A continuation of the well-received Warner Bros Records “Side by Side” series, which was initially introduced in 2011. All are exclusive for Record Store Day on uniquely colored and extremely limited edition 7″ vinyl singles, featuring Warner artists covering other historic and personally influential iconic artists. This year’s series includes:
The Flaming Lips / Mastodon: “A Spoonful Weighs A Ton” (7″ baby pink vinyl single)
The mighty Mastodon faithfully covers the Lips classic “Spoonful Weighs a Ton,” from The Soft Bulletin album. Ferociously beautiful!
Sara Watkins(Featuring Fiona Apple) / The Everly Brothers:
“You’re The One I Love” (7″ olive green with blue/black splatter vinyl single)
Sara Watkins covers The Everly Brothers classic “You’re The One I Love” and features co-vocals from a very special guest, Fiona Apple. From Sara’s new full-length album, Sun Midnight Sun, available later this spring.
Michael Bublé / Ray Charles: Georgia On My Mind(7″ Georgia Peach vinyl single)
Michael Bublé’s first ever 7″ vinyl release featuring a cover of Ray Charles’ classic “Georgia On
My Mind” on “Georgia Peach” colored vinyl.
Carolina Chocolate Drops / Run-DMC: “You Be Illin'” (7″ Coke–bottle green vinyl single)
The Run-DMC classic rendered in an entirely new way by old-time string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The Drops’ version was recorded at the same sessions as their February 2012 release Leaving Eden, which was produced by Nashville legend Buddy Miller.
MC5 / Afrika Bambaataa: “Kick Out the Jams” (7″ White with red splatter vinyl single)
The incendiary original coupled with a cover version from the pioneer of The Electro Funk Sound.
Otis Redding / Aretha Franklin: “Respect” (7″ gold vinyl single)
The seminal classics meet for the first time together on vinyl.
NEWS FLASH! Expect exciting news from The Flaming Lips regarding their very special, limited RSD exclusive release. Stay tuned!
About Records Store Day:
Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale on Saturday, April 21st, 2012.
For more about National Record Store Day, please visit the official Record Store Day site.
