RECORD STORE DAY 2017 "BEST PICKS"

It’s that time of year again; Record Store Day UK has made its way back round the annual cycle and is due to land on Saturday 22nd April. For those of you that have no idea what RSD is, it’s an occasion where artists, labels and independent record stores come together to celebrate, promote and revive the industry. Vinyl is a growing market in today’s world. Its treacherous decline began with the birth of the CD many moons ago. Wax sales plummeted as their shiny, “indestructible” opposite became the latest technical advancement to capture the hearts and minds of the people. However things seem to have taken a full cycle back to humble beginnings and now Vinyl is, again, the ‘thing to have’. Despite being the obvious superior format for listening to music, Vinyl has become a symbol of fashion to the younger generation of music listeners. Bands and fans alike all swoon over its large shiny presence and the days of building a proper 'old school' record collection seem to be reviving. During an era where so many aspects of life like relationships, communication, work, socialising have all become so digital it’s surprisingly refreshing to see rock music and its followers take a rebellious stand against this ‘digital era’ and fight to keep the pulse of real tangible forms of music alive. Its’ alive and kicking people take note cos’ it’s here to stay!

As part of this glorious day many bands and artists create limited edition versions of their work on bespoke coloured wax with glittery new artwork and various other forms of added extras to give fans a stonking hard music boner. In turn these ‘once in a lifetime’ records are sold at small independent UK record stores on the day as a way to generate foot flow, exposure and build community relations between music fans and their local stores. Usually across record stores in the UK you see huge queues form in the morning with people desperate to get their hands on some RSD goodies! Various stores will have live sets throughout the day aswell with a vinyl purchase acting as your one way ticket to the show. This is now Record Store Day’s 10th Anniversary and there are some big names on the release list to celebrate this milestone. You can check the full list of releases HERE:

As always though, we have an agenda! We’re not here to waffle on about the great work that RSD are doing or how much we love vinyl, no, we’re here to give you our RECORD STORE DAY 17’ BEST PICKS. So buckle up and grease your elbows cos’ it looks like you’ll be in for a tussle if you want to lay your hands on some of these juicy records!

SLAVES - TAKE CONTROL

Our first pick isn’t going to come as any surprise to you all. Stop rolling your eyes and sighing deeply you knew this was coming! Slaves, our favourite Kent punk rockers, have been announced as ambassadors for RSD17 and are set to release a limited edition version of their latest album ‘Take Control’. It comes in a rose gold foil cover with exclusive white vinyl and a 35mm photo diary of the band in action. It really is a thing of beauty! No idea what it’s gunna be priced at yet or where it’s gunna be stocked but start saving your pennies guys and gals cos it won’t be cheap that’s for sure! Good luck getting your hands on one of these!

CABBAGE – YOUNG DUMB AND FULL OF…..

Arguably the biggest and loudest band to come out of 2017 so far, Cabbage released a compilation LP that brought together all of their previous work into one neat, tidy, compact and raucous little record. Released through the infamous Skeleton Key Records, this album will be on limited edition Orange vinyl that replicates the colour of the albums albums spaghetti letter artwork. Another one you’ll definitely have to queue up outside for!

BLOSSOMS – UNPLUGGED AT FESTIVAL NO.6

Blossoms are another band that have blown up to catastrophic heights over the past year, they release an unplugged version of their glittery pop-rock on limited edition 10” coloured vinyl. Recorded live at Festival No.6 last year, the record has stripped back versions of their biggest hits with “Blown Rose”, “Charlemagne” and “Getaway”, another one well worth getting your hands on especially considering their current career trajectory it could become a timeless classic one day!

KASABIAN – YOU’RE IN LOVE WITH A PSYCHO

Leicester has been a city flourishing with success over the past year and their resident rockstars Kasabian are about to keep the party going with the release of a their NEW album “For Crying Out Loud” later this year. They recently released the first taste of this ‘guitar-driven’ record in the form of single “You’re In Love With A Psycho” and this will be released on limited 10” vinyl on this years record store day. EEEEEZZ EHHH!