Will You Go to Record Store Day? Is it Still Worth It? (My Picks)

[@soundmatters]

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[@jonrobinson3262]

i wish they would release more of the albums that were only available on CD originally

[@soundmatters]

Me too!

[@busterabcat]

The whole RSD circus has careered out of control. I used to enjoy the event and would occasionally partake in it, but for the last 5-6 years it has been absolutely sabotaged by the blasted major labels who insist on reissuing the same classic albums over and over again at ever higher prices and fanciful formats to fleece the fans. This whole forced exclusivity in the name of - what exactly? elitism? oneupmanship? - is increasingly self-defeating and is not doing the reputation of those major labels any favours to be honest. I am tired of this whole lark and a lot of record store owners I know - be they in the UK or even in Europe (I love vinyl hunting in the Netherlands too) have largely agreed, saying that it's lost much of its original appeal and meaning and is now simply a scalpers' paradise and a convenient excuse for major labels to exploit the entire event and reissue any old crap from some of the naffest and most forgettable bands of yore just to jump on the bandwagon (examples - re-releasing albums by the most inessential no hoper has-beens of the pop/ indie litter of the 1980s and 1990s like Menswear, Gay Dad, Belouis Some, Naked Eyes, Flash & The Pan ....etc etc.... who cares??) RSD used to be about exclusive vinyl releases never before issued in that format - and an event to celebrate the independent record store, but now its just another massively extortionate and superficial free for all, something for trendy types to 'be seen at'.....and I wish it would return back to something a bit less OTT. After all, those of us who buy vinyl every week or month don't need one hyped up day each year to show our love of our local record stores (i.e. EVERY DAY should be record store day for crying out loud!!) so this whole palaver is just another quick-buck cash-grab ritual, like so many other annual events now, to ensnare the gullible and those who don't know any better. 2021 was the last time I ever bought anything on RSD - a Wire PF456 box set that was never issued on vinyl before - and to add insult to injury the item was available a few weeks later on Juno Records website at almost half the price - not so fkng rare and exclusive after all was it? That boiled my piss realising I was scalped on the day. So I decided from that point - 'never again'. I have kept my word since.

[@andyshacks7812]

I’m a bit underwhelmed too by this year’s list. I have said I won’t be bothering this year but FOMO will probably get the better of me lol. The majors are spoiling it with their usual money grabbing and also some titles go on general release after RSD and for less money which is frustrating to say the least! That said I still think it’s a great day even if you just go and watch a DJ set or a band in store and buy a record that’s not on the list. Cheers Mark! Have a good one !👍

[@soundmatters]

Yea, same here Andy. Bit underwhelmed, but will probably got at some point in the day 🎶👍 - come to think of it, I probably will just end up buying something that’s not on the list and soak up the atmosphere in the process.

[@monaural2.988]

Record Store Day should have been everything it isn’t now. Ever increasing price tags for things that in the long run we just never needed. All the while, there are artists, albums, labels and scores more ideas that are never brought up, accessed, discussed or touched….things that would have had me seriously considering joining in. But nope….instead we get “Rumours” picture discs and Beatles 3 inch record players. Guess my money is staying in my wallet.

[@soundmatters]

I get your frustration, for sure. There are definitely too many picture discs.

[@paulmccormack5981]

Hello Mark,Firstly i love watching your Sound Matters videos.Very imformative and well laid out.Great set up you have there.I'm always a few days behind on catching up on watching them but i do get round to it in the end.Secondly i am from the UK but now live in Slovakia where record shops are far and few between.Driving nearly 3 hours to Bratislava for RSD just isn't going to happen or worth it for me.Slovakia's selection of 2nd hand records (12",Ep's and albums)which i mainly buy (old soul,funk,disco,acid teckno,House,jazz funk and blues) for bedroom DJ'ing are not in general cheap either so i buy only from UK sellers on discogs.Prices of records on discogs from sellers on the continent are ridiculously high so i stick to good old trusted UK sellers but i have to accept the VAT and duty taxes,plus increasing delivery costs.I have never done RSD and probably won't be persuaded to either as its just over hyped quick buck and very much record company greed.However i'm sure there would be to some people a good few bargins with RSD so i won't definitely say no to it.If there were some re-presses on Soul Jazz records of the Studio one releases at reasonable prices i might be tempted.Cheers mate and keep up the good work for us vinyl lovers.😊

[@soundmatters]

Hey Paul. Firstly, thanks for watching and for your comment. That’s quite the trek for a record store, so that makes sense. Shame about the import duty, what a pain! For soul and jazz rerelease, I’ve been loving VMP Classics. Cheers mate, enjoy the music 🎶 🎧

[@latetotheparty7551]

There are about five or so that stand out to me (the South Park one was a pleasant surprise) and one of the owners of my local record store recommended "In the Beginning" by The Slits. I start a new work schedule so won't be off on RSD so will have to resort to seeing if anything is left over on Sunday. You need more subscribers!

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! Hope you manage to get the releases 🎶🎧

[@latetotheparty7551]

@@soundmatters Thanks!

[@markbaker5139]

New Pearl Jam released the day before. Special limited releases on RSD. Pricey though, can I justify stretching to those prices?

[@dimebagdave77]

Remember the Sabbath, and buy a copy 😁 a dark record, but its full of classics if you don't own any others

[@BookwormEdits]

do you have to make an appointment/sign up to be able to go or can you just show up?

[@soundmatters]

You just show up 👍

[@spda242]

Found quite a few things which interest me, will get Ultravox/Midge ure rekeases, FSOL - ISDN is released on vinyl for first time I think, I will also get Sparks and Pulp albums and possibly Buena Vista Social Club. Quite a few things this year.

[@soundmatters]

That’s good to hear. The Pulp one did grab my attention too 🎶👍 I’ll go and see where the day takes me

[@manolokonosko2868]

Just what the world needed and the fans demanded: another Ringo Starr album, reissue, and more picture discs.

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

I usually go out and pick up a few things, but seeing the prices of some of these makes me pause and think. I recently looked into how many RSD titles I have and how often I play them. It isn't often.

[@soundmatters]

A few too many picture discs and gimmicks at times for me 🎶🎧

[@karimmore2199]

I'm in the jaded-but-still-going-early crowd. This year I'm excited by a lot more items than the previous years (Gentle Waves, Snoop Dogg reissues, Scott Walker's Tilt, etc), but I also know that my small local shop won't have them all, and if so, will have few units to spare. So there you go. That's been the RSD experience as far as I can remember. edit : and just on cue, I find out that the Snoop Dogg's release has actually been removed from the list. Nice.

[@soundmatters]

Damn: shame about the release removal. I take it they missed the deadline? Ironically, maybe due to production bottlenecks? I hope you have a good RSD all the same 🎶

[@andysheldon3842]

Big Country " Why the Long Face".....top of my list considering the price of an original press

[@MeowKing767]

Definitely not audiophile day is it?

[@EclecticMusicMan]

😂

[@MxRency]

I was happy to get a rerelease of the Oh Wonder debut this year. Second hand you pay up to €200 for previous releases, so for those things RSD is great.

[@trevorsflatroundspun-vinyl9803]

I particularly like this year’s list here in the US. I only have three picks this year because one is a box set. First, being the box set from Black Breath. A death/thrash metal band from here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s also one of those regional releases. Two and three are RSD firsts. So, if I don’t get them, no big deal. They’ll get released later. Those being Duncan Sheik’s self titled debut and The Rolling Stones Live In New York.

[@Gez-C]

I’ve missed RSD for the last couple of years, different reasons. I think the idea of it, was (and still is good), getting people to visit local / independent shops, but finding in recent years where people in the queue before me buying tons of stuff knowing that it’s going straight on to Ebay, many items being gimmicky now, price of items. Be interesting to see how future events shape up

[@manti1923]

I do all my vinyl buying online...there are a good few Hip-Hop titles in the RSD list I'll be getting...I live the UK 🇬🇧

[@andyfletcher3375]

Your last few words Mark did sum up RSD,money making,i have not yet looked at the full listings to what is on offer and from your clip it may not be worth me looking,you yourself has saved me time,i did like the look of the Paranoid Lp,but i already have the original,i don't buy anything for ownership,it's the experience,passion the sound of vinyl,nearly all year round we have a day for this a day for that companies offering cut price bargains,eg. Dark Friday i am not so gullible and approach with caution, I'm waiting for the record companies to announce, Happy Revolution @ 33 1/3 Day. Keep up with your good work.

[@ReasonablySane]

I've never been to one for two reasons. First, there is no record I can't do without. Second, I don't do lines. I will actually show up a few days after record store day and maybe pick up some scraps. Even when shopping malls were popular I avoided them at Christmas time.

[@toastx2]

i don't like to feel rushed or cramped in a store, i avoid RSD. plus, folks are rude and entitled. things i like from RSD rarely sell out here, I will get a copy of 'Buena Vista Social Club' the day after with out the stress.

[@johnwilde1174]

I was really keen to be up early and at the front of the queue to get UFO, MSG and Thin Lizzy. But then I found out the cost and looked at what it was that was being released. all of which I already have in other formats. So on the basis I don't really need any of those 3 and the IMHO excessive cost, I have decided to give it a miss this year. A shame because it is a great community event. On top of this I have started a journey into Jazz and particularly late 50's early 60's modal jazz. And so I was initially super excited by the jazz special issues but then I found out the price! Just not paying £60+ so regrettably I will wait, perhaps see if I can pick them up later in the year at a lower cost or buy much cheaper reissues. Again a shame. I wish they would charge less and issue more .

[@andyfletcher3375]

100% with you on that,doubling up unnecessarily and the extra cost involved.

[@booieaguilar4792]

I have four on my want list, but the one I want the most is Joe Pesci- Little Joe sure can sing.

[@booieaguilar4792]

And the prices for the records I want aren't too bad here in America

[@chennforajido]

We dont need those Bowie/Zeppellin/Who picture live disc. 90% is trash every year. But this year, seems that its better

[@davidcarter3109]

I will be attending my local Indie Store. Love the occaision. Have to go careful as some prices are a little crazy. I have Rumoirs and Rumours live. I won’t buy a further copy!!!

[@soundmatters]

I’d like a copy of Rumours live. Haven’t picked one up yet. No need for the picture disc for me, personally. Enjoy the day! Hope it’s a good one 🎶🎧

[@davidadamson309]

If I am in the vicinity of one of our local record stores I might make a stop, there was nothing on the list that grabbed me. I find that 80% of the time lately none of the local stores have sold out on RSD. My other issue is I usually don't like colored vinyl and a lot of the offerings are colored so I'll not make a special effort.

[@deanwhiteley3065]

The price of vinyl is just ridiculous atm IMHO 🤷‍♂️

[@bsquared4604]

it's a fact.

[@mikewest1542]

Me neither a waste of a morning, I would rather go to a local record shop or record fair !

[@davidevans3175]

It might not be as great as it was but the complaining is typical. RSD is a fantastic idea and has been very effective for bringing back the only format that I care about.

[@soundmatters]

Nice to get some positivity on the chat. I agree overall it’s a positive. I’d like to see more high-quality reissues perhaps, and less picture discs. Limited editions too, but maybe in a more creative way. I think we’d all miss it, though, if the event just disappeared. I’d hate for that to happen 🎶

[@xfoolsgoldx]

Disappointed with the list of vinyl for Record store day. Cant see anything Im wanting to purchase.

[@samuelkline7110]

RSD has become a bit bloated with all of the exclusive releases they have every year. My own opinion is that this event has become a bit too commercialized. That being said I will be there bright and early to attempt to secure the limited release The Beatles 3" record player and the 3" records that go with the player.

[@soundmatters]

The countless picture discs I do find rather tedious. It’s certainly very commercialized these days. I see pros and cons, but definitely see your point of view on all that. The Beatles 3” limited stuff does sound novel and cool

[@johnwilde1174]

but not available in the UK! @@soundmatters

[@soundmatters]

@@johnwilde1174 - shame

[@toastx2]

isnt the whole point to be commercialized though? it was intended to drive traffic by luring people with the pretense of exclusivity.. it is the beast that was designed

[@manolokonosko2868]

$35 for Ladytron “Light and Magic” on red vinyl !!!! $50 for OMD 2 LP set of “Junk Culture “ half speed mastered of demos, remixes and scraps. Would have been a deal if they had included the actual album as well. No deal.

[@EclecticMusicMan]

RSD has been a joke for years, just a gimmick for the record companies to make as much money as possible from old releases reissued and badly remastered.

[@Faustustopheles]

I'm sorry. I stopped caring. I buy when I can. RSD sounded great and we participated a couple of times and realized it doesn't matter at all.

[@soundmatters]

I prefer going to record store days when it’s quiet 🤫 🎶🙂

[@Faustustopheles]

@@soundmatters 100% I found a new place! it's called Culture Clash Records in Toledo, OH and it's only about 25 minutes from our place. I'm so glad. The one we loved here closed last year (Finders in Bowling Green)

[@reflection9924]

Such a useless cash grab to release a Rumours picture disc. Fleetwood Mac released 9 (!!!!) albums before Rumours and the 75' album, and every single one of those deserves a proper re-release. Could've easily put out a few of those albums for RSD. Future Games, Then Play On, the list goes on.

[@soundmatters]

Have you seen the VMP Reissue of the Fleetwood Mac 75 white album? It's great!

[@djm5k]

I live in the US, and I would say within the last five years or so, there hasn’t been anything that stood out as a potential buy. The independent record store in my town has a tendency to put the records on display in multiple locations within the store that is confusing and hard to find what you want. The other issue is the price of vinyl these days. The current pressings are mostly bad quality and way over priced. I used to go to record stores in the mid 1980’s to 90’s, and I used to be able to get new release albums for $4.99 each. I’d rather buy CD’s these days which are much more convenient to store and play. I say RSD has overstayed their welcome and should be discontinued because it is nothing but a total scam and ripoff!

[@spectrum_archives]

Nice one. Pros and cons here. A lot of live albums which I don’t really care for, unnecessary stuff like Rumours picture disc, but different strokes… Did find some cool stuff in the list though and I made a video about it last month kzbin.info/www/bejne/faSpmIOklM2Hr9k

[@brainleap]

I haven't attended RSD in years. Too pricey. Useless reissues. Too crowded?

[@JustinShapley]

Isn’t it only too pricy if it’s full of things that you actually want to buy? I don’t take you’re just buying random records because they’re rare, right? If it’s something you’re looking for and haven’t gotten yet, one reason could be because limited pressings or high price, and this would give you an option for a more than likely, much cheaper version.

[@brianfisher812]

Record Store Dy does not exist where I Live. All gone as days gone by have too!

[@djmetallord]

Overpriced Hipster day lol ridiculous..

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

RSD is the only day of the year i will not go to a record store. It’s like the beanie babies of record collecting.

[@Hassebas88]

joe pesci

[@johnwilde1174]

shut uppa your face?

[@drgeff1]

Not this year The list didn't look good to me I just usually buy grateful Dead items and last year I bought some in the price was much cheaper on eBay down the road after a while so I'll be skipping it this year

[@soundmatters]

The ebay flogging is a bit regrettable, I have to say.

[@guyincognito143]

Nothing good this year.

[@MrThomyorkey]

Your music taste is decidedly middle of the road

[@soundmatters]

You’re a snob, and you know nothing of my music taste 😒

[@guyincognito143]

Who are you?

[@guyincognito143]

Name your top 5 albums, and I'll judge you.