Yes, every day is record store day but today is the official 2019 Record Store Day - the twelfth annual iteration of a day that is a celebration of independent record stores across the world, driven by new and special releases. We've collated a list of ten choice picks from Record Store Day 2019, and in a change to our regular programming, you can view the list in reverse alphabetical order below.
This year's array of releases is varied to say the least, ranging from brand spanking new acts including Sam Fender to older novelty records such as 'Mickey Mouse Disco' and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles single 'Pizza Power' - suppose we'll just have to wait another year for Vanilla Ice's seminal ninja rap from 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze'. A warning however that many of these releases may cause harm to your bank account.
Weezer - 'Dusty Gems And Raw Nuggets: The B-Sides'
Weezer's recent resurgence on the back of their cover of Toto's 'Africa' perhaps unexpectedly birthed an entire album of covers - in fact, the "Teal Album" also receives a special RSD release today. But it's this vinyl compilation of the deluxe tracks from their debut "Blue Album" that is of particular interest, with its rareties/b-sides/alternate mix of 'Say It Ain't So'.
tindersticks - 'Willow' (feat. Robert Pattison)
One of the new releases to come out on RSD 2019, 'Willow' features on the soundtrack to 'High Life', the dark new drama directed by Claire Denis and starring Robert Pattison. Pattison also features as the guest vocal on 'Willow', performed by tindersticks on a soundtrack crafted by the band's Stuart A Staples. The space-based 'High Life' will be out in May in UK cinemas and we're tentatively excited...
Queen - 'Bohemian Rhapsody'
Okay, so the recent 'Bohemian Rhapsody' big screen biopic was somewhat middling - marred by production troubles, which can be the only explanation for the Best Editing Oscar it came away with at this year's Academy Awards. The song of the same name remains an all-time classic however, and gets a dual release this RSD, with the picture disc version coming with the never before released Live Aid set. (In terms of other golden oldies, we'd suggest the Aretha Franklin and Grandmaster Flash RSD releases.)
'The League Of Gentlemen Live Again!'
Playing on the duality of "live", this gatefold (Papa Lazarou-coloured!) double vinyl release sees the return of the much beloved/feared characters from the unhinged BBC TV series 'The League Of Gentlemen', recorded from their 2018 live UK tour. Other related RSD releases include two 'Doctor Who'-based stories as well as the complete radio series from 'The Mighty Boosh', with Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding from the show also acting as this year's Record Store Day UK Ambassadors.
Kaiser Chiefs - 'Oh My God'
One of the earliest singles released by brilliant music site Drowned in Sound (which is sadly winding down in 2019), this original 2003 release "feels a million miles from here, somewhere more familiar". It remains one of the band's finest efforts, and Polydor are re-issuing the single on 7". Sean from DiS shared his story of its original release here.
Jessie Buckley "Rose-Lynn Harlan" - 'Wild Roses And The Jaggynettles'
The 2019 RSD features a bafflingly wide range of movie-related releases, with soundtracks ranging from 'Monty Python's Life Of Brian' to 'The Coneheads' of all films. A more timely record however is this Jessie Buckley-led offering from Tom Harper's fantastic new film 'Wild Rose', which has just come out in UK cinemas. The story of a country music-obsessed mum trying to balance her career aspirations and family life, Buckley is spectacular in the lead role of this absolute crowd-pleaser.
Fanfarlo - 'Reservoir' (Expanded Edition)
A special tenth anniversary release of London outfit Fanfarlo's debut album, this version of 'Reservoir' includes bonus sortie of demos. And most importantly, includes the brilliant 'Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time', one of the best tracks from that era and beyond. (And hopefully also includes the early version of 'Sand And Ice' which we included on one of our infamous podcasts back in the day!)
Editors / Blanck Mass - 'The Blanck Mass Sessions'
We can't say we would have anticipated Editors working with Benjamin John Power of Fuck Buttons, aka Blanck Mass, but we're pleased that they did. This new vinyl collects the Blanck Mass productions of tracks from Editors' recent 'Violence' album, alongside an unreleased song.
BASTILLE - 'Other People's Heartache Pt. 4'
We've been huge fans of BASTILLE's 'Other People's Heartache' mixtapes from early on, and it's been pleasing to see the snowballing popularity of the releases as well as the band itself. This RSD release of their latest version brings the 2018 collection of covers and collaborations to vinyl, featuring the likes of Craig David, Kianja, and Jacob Banks.
Art Brut x We Are Scientists - 'WASABI'
Somewhat surprisingly, this isn't the first team up of Art Brut and We Are Scientists on vinyl, with a 2006 split 7" preceding this new 12" release. Entitled 'We Are Scientists Art Brut International', the nine tracks feature unreleased tracks from both bands, covers of each bands, as well as a joint cover of 'Handle With Care' by The Travelling Wilburys. Jam-packed.
Download the full list of Record Store Day releases as a PDF here. Find more info at recordstoreday.co.uk.
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