Record collectors rejoice — Saturday, April 16 marks the ninth annual celebration of the widely-acclaimed Record Store Day. In what started as an alternative to Free Comic Book Store, Bull Moose, a variety store in Brunswick, Maine, established a day set aside for the commemoration and collection of the vintage form of music.

This year is the second time that the thrash metal icons, Metallica, are taking up the mantle of Record Store Day ambassador; the first time since their unofficial coronation in 2008. In a statement by Lars Ulrich, drummer for Metallica, he stated that “as music becomes available either through only the internet or in gigantic airport-size retail stores, it is more important than ever — actually vital — that all us fanatics continue to bring to light the importance of records, and to support to the maximum of our abilities the independent record store outlet.”

The massive music glorification brings an opportunity to release alternative records, rare b-sides or even a new album. Many bands attempt to hop onto the bandwagon of releases, which becomes daunting as over 150 releases are expected to be available. As there will be a mark on prices to maximize profits, which, according to Hypebot.com, reached an outstanding 628 percent growth more than any other Saturday in 2015 and performed 3.3 percent better in sales than 2014’s RSD, not every piece of vinyl can be picked up.

Regarding finding an independent record store, the best bet for any Fairfield student is Johnny’s Records, a small mom-and-pop shop in Darien, Conn. that is accessible by the Metro-North Railroad. It is recommended to arrive extremely early, as lines tend to stretch upwards a quarter mile to just get into the store, let alone attempt to purchase the limited records that sell out quickly.

Below is a compiled list of the top five releases that should be high up on your shopping list this coming Saturday. As Ulrich best stated, “For music. For vinyl. For independent record stores. For people like you and me who live and breathe music twenty-four hours a day.”

 

  1. David Bowie – “I Dig Everything – The Pye Singles 1966” (12” Vinyl), “The Man Who Sold The World” (12” Picture Disk), “TVC15” (7” Picture Disk)bowie

In the wake of Bowie’s tragic death in January, RSD is commemorating his legacy in the form of three different pieces of vinyl that span his whole career in music. Whether you choose just one or pick up all three, rest easy knowing that each piece is chock full of Bowie rarities, which include the the rare German version of “The Man Who Sold The World” and the 40th anniversary celebration of “Station to Station” with the “TVC15” single.

 

  1. Metallica – Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica! – Live at Le Bataclan. Paris, France – June 11th, 2003 (CD), “Kill Em’ All” (Box Set), “Ride the Lightning” (Box Set)

metallicaRSD wouldn’t be the same if the ambassadors didn’t put out an exclusive release. Even better, the thrash metal giants will be putting out three individual releases on Saturday. The first is a benefit for the Fondation de France’s Give For France charity in honor of the Paris terrorist attacks at the Bataclan in November. The album contains rare tracks and live staples from the metal icons including the polarizing “Ride the Lightning” and the mecca of thrash instrumentals, “The Four Horsemen.” The last two being special box set reissues of Metallica’s first two albums, which will boast alternative mixes, live performances and band interviews, as well as four individual pieces of wax each.

 

  1. Mac DeMarco – “Another (Demo) One” (LP)mac demarco

Indie rock’s crude and creative lovechild is bringing outtakes from his latest release, “Another One,” to his fans on RSD in the form of 16 songs from these sessions. The 80s-tinged vibe that the album exudes is indicative of the sort of twisted masterpieces that we can expect from the demos. Best of all, these demos were recorded in his bedroom studio, “jizz-jazz” and are rumored to have been recorded in one day.

 

  1. Patti Smith – “Horses Live at Electric Lady Studios” (2x LP)

patti smithRecorded in Jimi Hendrix’s studio in 1975, Smith’s live recording of her seminal 1975 album, “Horses” is the spotlight of Electric Lady Studios’ curation series. The album is sensational in itself and with Smith’s reputation as an enigmatic live performer ranked number 28 on Rolling Stone’s Best Live Bands the live recording will be sure to please any diehard or casual fan of Smith.

 

  1. The White Stripes – “The Complete Peel Sessions: BBC” (2x LP)

stripesWhile not classified as an RSD exclusive, the team over at Third Man Records is issuing the first official pressing of the The White Stripes live session on air with BBC. While this recording has been bootlegged various times, TMR is ensuring this edition’s exclusivity by issuing the two pieces of vinyl on white and red wax before it is released publically on black vinyl later in the year.

 

Honorable Mentions:

13th Floor Elevators – “You’re Gonna Miss Me” b/w “Tried To Hide” (French EP Version)” (7” Vinyl)
Alt-J – “Live at Red Rocks” (2x LP)

Brandi Carlile – “Live at KCRW ‘Mornin Becomes Electric” (12” Colored Vinyl)

Deerhoof – “Offend Maggie” (LP)

Dr. Who – “Genesis of the Daleks” (LP)

Bob Dylan – “Melancholy Mood” (7” Colored Vinyl)

Foals – “Rain” ”Daffodils” (7” Vinyl)

Grateful Dead – “Capitol Theatre, Passaic NJ 4/25/77” (4x LP)

Husker Du – “In a Free Land” (7” Vinyl)

New Barbarians – “New Barbarians” (10” Colored Vinyl)

Outkast – “Elevators (Me & You)” (10” Colored Vinyl)

Tom Petty/Mudcrutch – “Kiss My Amps II” (LP) & ““Trailer”/“Beautiful World”” (7” Vinyl)

Phish – “Hoist” (2x LP)

Sublime – “Jah Won’t Pay the Bills” (Cassette)

Sun Ra – “Spaceway” (LP)

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