As the 10th Record Store day approaches, Getintothis’ Banjo picks out 17 exclusives worthy of attention.
Record Store Day has become an established celebration of two beautiful things – vinyl records and independent record shops.
Any true music fan, no matter their age, will have happy memories of record shops. A good one, such as Liverpool’s legendary Probe records, can be at once a meeting place, a catalyst and perfect place to while away a happy afternoon scouring the racks for lost treasures and unexpected treats.
And, as we are repeatedly informed in surprised tones, vinyl is still here! The thrill of holding a treasured vinyl record in your hands is one that the digital age has never managed to quite match. In an age of instant availability, there is something undeniably special in acquiring a good old fashioned record.
So step forward then Record Store Day 2017. A day when hundreds of exclusive, limited edition delights are released, a day when you can queue up for an essential new release and find yourself surrounded by likeminded fans and friends. And here at Getintothis we are showcasing 17 of the most striking exclusives for this year. We’re too good to you sometimes, we really are.
Blossoms – Blossoms
One of the biggest recent success stories, Blossoms release an album that sounds like a thing of rare beauty, a 10” picture disc of their recent Festival No 6 set. Perhaps one to queue up early for, as this is likely to be snapped up.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Pol Pot’s Pleasure Penthouse
A real exclusive this one, and a real treat for all BTM fans. A double album of previously unreleased material from the band’s first recording sessions. Calling this intriguing doesn’t even come close!
Cocteau Twins – Four Calendar Café, Milk & Kisses
Not one, but two exclusives from one of the 80s most wonderful bands. Causing a bit of a storm on social media when it emerged that none of the band were contacted prior to the albums being made available or offered any involvement. Anyway, 180gm versions of their last two albums, both with an extra disc of EP tracks should please their fans at least.
Ben Folds & W.A.S.O. – Live In Perth
Available on vinyl for the first time, this sees Ben Folds with the West Australia Symphony Orchestra. This special edition of the album features 2 previously unavailable songs.
David Bowie – BOWPROMO
A strange beast here, a single sided album featuring 7 tracks from a Bowie promo along with 5 exclusive prints, all handily boxed so you can keep them Record Store Day Fresh.
The Fall – Live in Clitheroe
The Fall do it again, with an album title that seems in direct opposition to the slew of ‘Live at the Budokan’ type albums released by Mark E Smith’s peers. Pressed on 18gh orange vinyl, this promises to be a worthy addition to The Fall’s impressive collection of live albums, if only for the fact that the last three songs were sung by Smith from the comfort of his dressing room.
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Another live set that will be well worth snapping up. Iggy and Josh Homme deliver a triple album of their recent Albert Hall show. Iggy has always had a reputation for fearsome live shows and age does not seem to be stopping him, as this will testify.
Julian Cope – Drunken Songs
Limited to 1,000 copies, this will surely be a sought after collectors item before the shops close. Six new songs looking at “Gnostic Inebriation from around these isles”, including As The Beer Flows Over Me, which was showcased at Cope’s recent Liverpool Arts Club gig. Cheers!
Loop – Wolf Flow
Ahead of their appearance at 2017’s Psych Fest. Loop release a remastered double album of their Peel sessions. Well worth checking out as, as was often the case, the session versions here are superior to the ‘official’ versions. Buy this and prepare yourself for the onslaught that is the Loop live experience.
Peter Hook and The Light – Various
Record Store Day 2017 sees a colossal 9 albums from Getintothis favourite Peter Hook. Closer, Unknown Pleasures, Movement and Power, Corruption and Lies all get coloured vinyl releases, with UP being a three album set.
The Smiths – The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
New Smiths material alert! New versions of the title track and Rubber Ring make up this 7”. According the Record Store Day website, this heralds a, plan for The Queen Is Dead releases next year. Shout hurrah and stick some gladioli in your back pocket!
Slaves – Take Control
This sounds like it’s the standard album with a gold foil cover. One for collectors or those with an eye for shiny things
The Ramones – Singles Box
10 pre-1980 7″ Singles in a cigarette type box and authentically reproduced with Sire labels, picture covers where applicable. This beauty is lovingly pressed on 43Gm vinyl and offered in a numbered box set. What more could you want!
Bruce Springsteen – Hammersmith Odeon, London ‘75
Classic Brooooce gig from way back when released on vinyl for the first time. And this being a Springsteen gig it is, of course, a quadruple album.
Field Music – Tones of Town
Field Music’s 2nd album is now 10 years old! To celebrate, this long-deleted album is released on 180g yellow vinyl. Wahooo!
The Flaming Lips – The Flaming Lips Onboard the International Space Station Concert for Peace
The Flaming Lips have never been ones for understatement. This Record Store Day exclusive is described as “a reimagining of seven tracks from the Oczy Mlody album set as a fictional/fantastical live performance of The Flaming Lips on the International Space Station” All this and red vinyl too!
Kate Nash – Agenda EP
One of Record Store Day 2017’s champions, Kate Nash will be releasing her first new music since 2013 with this EP. With three previously unheard tracks, this will undoubtedly be another hot seller on the day.
So there we are. There will be, of course, dozens more to tempt you and make it worth your while getting out of bed on a Saturday morning to queue outside a shop. Good hunting – we hope you get what you are after.
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