Music

The 10 best and worst Record Store Day 2016 releases

by Jeremy Mersereau

March 9, 2016

Record Store Day's 2016 releases range from essential to completely unnecessary.

Ah, Record Store Day, when we all agree to pretend we still regularly spend money on physical records, and that we’re total vinyl heads despite last spending money on music in a brick-and-mortar shop at the last Record Store Day.

Every year, major labels cash in on pumping out terrible, ephemeral releases that no one would want without RSD’s quickly-diluting cultural cachet, and further siphoning off any actual community spirit under the pretense of being a ‘celebration of vinyl culture.’

That being said, it’s hard to find fault with the ever-shrinking number of remaining independent record stores actually making bank one day out of the year. As a consumer service, we’ve taken a look at RSD’s official 2016 release list, available on their website, and compiled a list of what we’re betting on as the best and worst releases of Record Store Day 2016. Be sure to keep your head clear, and your purchases well-thought-out come April 16th.

The Best RSD 2016 Releases:

J. Dilla – The Diary LP

Dilla was surprisingly nice on the mic as well as the MPC, so this heretofore-unheard, self-produced vocal album from 2000 ought to be worth keeping the Yancey estate paid.

Xiu Xiu – Plays The Music Of Twin Peaks LP

Jamie Stewart and co.’s on-edge style ought to complement Angelo Badalamenti’s ethereal compositions from the cult TV show nicely. At the very least, if you want to instantly buy an identity signifier, this is your go-to purchase. Somehow, I don’t predict you’ll be voting Trump 2016. Listen to Xiu Xiu’s cover of “Falling” here.

Sun Ra – Spaceways LP

Remastered live 1966 and ’68 NYC performances from the experimental Afrofuturist and his Arkestra will be, at the very least, interesting listening. Pressed on psychedelic swirled vinyl, too.

Jay Reatard – Blood Visions 10th Anniversary Edition LP

Crucial punk record on blood-red vinyl? With a bonus 7″ of demos? *Hands start shaking* Hmm… maybe I can swing by the record store on April 16th after all.

Cambodian Cassette Archives: Khmer Folk and Pop Music Vol. 1 2LP

This is the kind of release RSD should be focused on, rather than whatever Foo Fighters picture disc is currently being crapped out. IMHO, of course.

The Worst RSD 2016 Releases:

Ethan Hawke & David Braid Quartet – “My Funny Valentine” 7″

“Limited to 2000 copies!” Dude, if anyone not named Ethan Hawke buys this, I’ll eat a pile of flexi-discs.

The Blacklist: Music from the Television Series LP

Great! That’s grandma’s birthday covered.

Atreyu – The Best of Atreyu 2LP

Two whole LPs of second-rate metalcore? *whips out credit card so fast it flies out of my hand and gets embedded in the wall like a ninja star*

The Monkees – 10LP box set

As the old adage goes, “A fool and his money are soon parted by the most unnecessary box sets on earth.”

?/? -“?” Mystery 7″ split

“The artists on this Side By Side 7″ are A MYSTERY!” There is absolutely no way this isn’t going to be a huge letdown. The Monkees/Atreyu doing Crazy Town’s “Butterfly”?! I’m so glad I paid for this!