12 albums to pick up on Record Store Day 2022
by Luke Taylor
April 08, 2022
Record Store Day 2022 is a big deal. During the past two years of the pandemic, Record Store Day has divvied itself up over a series of drop dates — making special releases available to record stores as a way to encourage lovers of music on vinyl to continue visiting and supporting their local record stores.
This year, however, the organizers of Record Store Day are reverting to the ONE BIG DAY plan, and that big day is Saturday, April 23. It's expected to be a day where shoppers will return to record stores in large numbers, and record stores will pull out the stops to welcome shoppers with special deals, live bands, and even food and drink in some locations. (Note: in their wisdom, the RSD organizers noted there may be supply-chain issues, so there will be a second special-release drop date on June 18 to accommodate production jams.)
Central to Record Store Day is the distribution of special releases to commemorate the date and to set vinyl collectors' treasure detectors buzzing. As you head out for Record Store Day on April 23 (here’s a rundown of events and locations), here are some RSD special releases to keep eyes out for.
LOCAL
Let's start with the special releases with some local cred.
Golden Smog - On Golden Smog
This is the 1992 debut EP from the supergroup when it consisted solely of Minnesota musicians, prior to the band's importation of Jeff Tweedy from Chicago. The RSD release will be On Golden Smog's first time on vinyl, so a nice find for collectors, and the band members — Gary Louris, Dan Murphy, Kraig Johnson, Chris Mars, Marc Perman, Dave Pirner — use pseudonyms in the credits.
The Replacements - Unsuitable for Airplay: The Lost KFAI Concert
This two-LP set will be highly coveted by Replacement fans. It's a 27-song set recorded off the soundboard at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis on January 23, 1981. At the time, Paul Westerberg, Bob Stinson, Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars were in the midst of recording Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out The Trash. The album is notable not only for the songs in progress that would end up on that debut album, but also for a number of covers the Replacements performed during the show.
Prince - The Gold Experience (available June 18)
A special Record Store Day re-release of Prince's 1995 album, his 17th studio album and the first to be released under his unpronounceable glyph, aka the Love Symbol, will not be available in record stores until June 18, but certainly worth the wait.
Stiff Little Fingers - BBC Live in Concert
Wait — Stiff Little Fingers? Local? We'll say yes — Stiff Little Fingers' founder Henry Cluney has lived in Rochester, Minn., since 1997. But this two-LP set is divided across two concerts recorded in England in 1981 and 1982.
NEW STUFF
Whereas a lot of RSD releases center on heritage artists, there are certainly newer items to be found in the crates.
Kacey Musgraves - star-crossed
Musgraves went through her camera roll to create this special edition, double-sided picture disc of her album released in September 2021.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Unlimited Love
The esteemed Los Angeles rockers just released their 12th studio album, Unlimited Love, on April 1, and now they're making it available as a double-LP (on silver vinyl!) for Record Store Day, with a poster of the band included.
Black Pumas - Collector’s Edition 7” Box Set
Founded in 2017, Black Pumas released their self-titled debut in 2019, and now it's being released in a box set of six 7-inches, along with some cool new artwork and bonus tracks.
Tegan and Sara – Still Jealous
Kinda new, kinda not. Tegan and Sara re-released their excellent 2004 album So Jealous in February of this year. It's being re-re-released on Record Store Day on red vinyl.
ICONS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Bel Biv DeVoe - Poison
The debut release from hip-hop and R&B group Bel Biv DeVoe was released in March of 1990 and by May of that year, it was certified platinum. For this year's Record Store Day, Poison is being released on one-of-a-kind cherry-red vinyl.
Patti Smith – Curated By Record Store Day
People have the power in more ways than one on this two-LP compilation assembled by the folks at Record Store Day. This collection includes all your favorite Patti Smith songs.
Rick Astley - Whenever you Need Somebody
This isn't a Rickroll — at least not intentionally. The golden-voiced Astley could pen and perform hits, and this RSD vinyl release is a 35th anniversary commemoration. And didn't that episode of Ted Lasso shed fresh, more appreciative light on "Never Gonna Give You Up" anyway?
FIRST TIME ON VINYL
Pixies – Live at Coachella 2004
This is a recording of the Boston band's big reunion show after their 10-year break, and this two-LP set is filled with live versions of their best-known songs.
Peppa Pig - Peppa's Adventures: The Album
Wait … encouraging kids to love learning, friendship and vinyl records? What's not to love! Peppa's 2021 release finds its way to the turntable on this Record Store Day.
This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Spring series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.
External link
Record Store Day - official site
