Smash! Records
Let those needles drop, because it’s that time of year again. Saturday marks the sixth annual Record Store Day, as independent record stores around the country celebrate all that is vinyl. With the sale of records increasing by 16.3 percent last year, store owners are expecting a large turnout as all degrees of audiophiles look to stock up on special reissues of classic albums and check out this year’s selection of collector’s items.
With hundreds of limited releases to come out on Saturday and tons of different stores to check out, The Diamondback is here to make your Record Store Day as efficient and successful as possible.
Anticipated Releases to Check Out
1. The White Stripes — Elephant reissue
This tenth anniversary edition of the classic White Stripes album, featuring “Seven Nation Army” and “The Hardest Button to Button,” is being reissued in bright red vinyl. Front man Jack White, Record Store Day’s official 2013 ambassador, is also allowing fans to come to his Third Man Records shop in Nashville, Tenn. and record their own special 6” singles all day.
2. GZA — Liquid Swords Chess Box Edition
The Wu-tang Clan vet will be reissuing GZA’s seminal 1995 album Liquid Swords complete with a working chess set and 24-page booklet of original art and input from GZA. Spread out over four individual LPs, this release is a must-buy for not only hardcore chess junkies, but also anyone interested in the more sinister side of New York boom-bap hip-hop, featuring samples taken straight from ‘70s kung fu films.
3. The Stooges/ Black Keys — Side by Side: No Fun 7”
Featuring the Iggy Pop-led Stooges’ classic 1969 track “No Fun” on one side and a 2002 cover of the song by bluesy garage rock group the Black Keys on the other, this limited release is sure to be a sought after collector’s item for many. And it’s pressed in an orange and red sunburst vinyl. Everyone loves colored vinyl.
4. Jimi Hendrix — Hey Joe b/w Stone Free 7”
Two of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix’s signature tracks will be released on a limited edition 7-inch single in the original mono mixes for the first time since 1966. As an added bonus, most participating record stores carrying the single will also be giving out free posters featuring Hendrix at a local record store following the release of his album Are You Experienced.
5. Elliott Smith — Alternate Versions from Either/Or 7
This special release features alternative versions of four tracks from iconic singer/songwriter Elliott Smith’s 1997 album Either/Or. They include an alternate version of fan favorite “Alameda” and an updated outtake of “Punch and Judy.”
Record Stores to Check Out
1. Joe’s Record Paradise — Silver Spring
Stocked with mostly used records from all decades, Joe’s Record Paradise certainly has its fair share of collectible amounts and is known for its massive stock, however it is lacking in the contemporary music department. Several local bands will also play throughout the afternoon on Saturday.
2. Smash! Records — Washington
The iconic Smash! Records in Adams Morgan, whose original location in Georgetown opened in 1984, will be sure to feature the widest selection of special Record Store Day releases. The store’s healthy collection of contemporary bands definitely makes this a place to check out on the record store crawl.
3. The Sound Garden — Baltimore
If you can make it out to Baltimore this Saturday, then this is the place to be. Featuring one of the largest collections of records and CDs in this area, The Sound Garden will satisfy all your Record Store Day needs.
diversionsdbk@gmail.com
