Can we have an honest discussion about Record Store Day?
First off, allow me to introduce myself. I am a voracious vinyl consumer who is all about supporting artists, indie labels, and record stores around the globe.
Since its inception in 2007, Record Store Day has done a magnificent job of creating interest in boutique vinyl, but, like most institutions, may be experiencing real growing pains as vinyl as a viable here-to-stay format is still finding its legs.
There are also signs that perhaps you've betrayed your intended mission and would best be served putting said institutions to rest. Such things do happen or else I'd still be buying copies of Trouser Press and anything new IRS Records or Bomp! Records puts out, but, alas, perhaps Record Store Day's time has come to let the indie retailers they claim to promote take it from here.
Problems:
- Too much product flooding the marketplace on THE BIG DAY that, quite frankly, is nothing special. You know, stuff that has been available on vinyl forever and can be had for a few bucks "used" does not need a full Record Store Day roll-out at $20+ "new" if no new features are included.
- Due to the limited-edition nature of the releases, trying to nab your entire RSD wish list is unrealistic, meaning you have to find may titles on the secondary market.
Solutions:
- Scale #RSD back to once a year.
- One title per artist per annual Record Store Day, and no artist can do back-to-back annual events.
- Enough with the elite pricing. You know what I'm talking about. Every time I walk into a store on the big day and take in their selection, the first thing I always notice is "HOLY JESUS, THEY WANT HOW MUCH?!" No other day of the year makes me wish I'd been born a Rockefeller.
- To qualify as an official Record Store Day release, only new pressings of products currently out-of-print in any vinyl configuration or a new title containing at least 50% material previously unavailable in any physical format.
After all, the mission of Record Store Day was/is to create/maintain interest in vinyl by showcasing "boutique" vinyl twice a year. Slapping an "RSD" sticker on a new vinyl pressing of Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits, The Who The Kids Are Alright, or Eric Clapton Music From The Motion Picture "Rush" is certainly not this music lover's idea of boutique, or, for that matter, a celebration of independent retail.
Hence, the backlash.
Now on with our list of the Ten Most Wanted Record Store Day titles here at The Shit (ranked from "DROP IT OR ELSE" to "LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY!"):
Ramones - Sundragon Sessions (LP)
Public Image Ltd - Live at Brixton Academy 1986 (2 LP)
Ginger Wildheart - Paying It Forward EP (10" Picture Disk)
David Bowie - Let's Dance demo (12")
Wilco - Live At The Troubadour 11/12/96 (double LP)
The Nazz - Fungo Bats acetates (2 LP)
Pere Ubu - Terminak Tower (LP)
Fuzztones - Braindrops (LP)
Sly & Robbie & Junior Natural - Militant Dub (Gold vinyl LP)
Warsaw (pre-Joy Division) - 'Warsaw' Black and White (LP)