Now that we are finally just one day out from Record Store Day, and my reminiscing has come to an end, let’s take a look forward at some of the releases that will be available in around 24 hours. There is a lot of good stuff this year, too much for me to highlight everything. For a full list of releases, check out the Record Store Day website.
The first thing I saw being released that grabbed my attention was a re-release of Of Montreal’s single “The Past Is A Grotesque Animal.” This is a 12″ single b/w a new version of the song that Kevin Barnes recorded for a short film by Spike Jonze. This new take on the song is played by a robotic band, so color me interested.
The Decemberists, who earlier this year releases the album The King Is Dead, are putting out a live EP. Live at Bull Moose is a seven-track CD that includes most of my favorite songs from the new album, plus a cover of the song “If I Could Only Win Your Love” by The Louvin Brothers.
The Joy Formidable are releasing a 7″ single from their new album The Big Roar. The vinyl-only release will be fronted by “Whirring” and b/w a song called “Chwyrilo.” If you ever read NME magazine you already know that TJF is the hottest thing to come out of Wales since Catherine Zeta-Jones. The added bonus of their music actually being good is the icing on the cake. For more on the band, check out the interview I did with them at Schubas back in November.
Danger Mouse and Italian Composer Daniele Luppi have put together a release called ROME that features vocals from Jack White and Norah Jones on three songs apiece. I’ve never been crazy about Danger Mouse. I thought his mashup of The White Album and The Black Album was garbage. I enjoyed the first album by Gnarls Barkley, but got bored by the second. And then his work with James Mercer of The Shins…well, I don’t even know what to say. A lot of folks dig Danger Mouse, though. And Jack White’s involvement means I’ll buy this even if it’s the biggest waste of money in the history of me wasting money (which is a long, and glorious history).
Those are the main things I’m looking at this year, but there are SO many other good bands putting stuff out. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers re-release their first two records on colored vinyl in a limited run. The Foo Fighters are putting out a record of covers called Medium Rare to follow up Wasting Light which came out very recently. The Submarines are doing a special edition of their new record Love Notes and Letter Bombs. Too much good stuff to go into fully. I very much urge you to check out Record Store Day’s site to plan out your day.
If you’re in Chicago and still need to find something to do, I have a suggestion for that as well. Saki Records in Logan Square is having an event that includes 8 hours of free live music. Bands featured include my favorite, Chaperone, as well as The 1900’s, In Tall Buildings, and This Is Cinema. Of course, there are a ton of events going on all over the city, and every other major city. Make sure you find an event and celebrate Record Store Day!!!!