MP3s & NPCs

View Original

10 great releases to grab for Record Store Day 2023

Record Store Day arrives this Saturday (April 22), and music fans can’t wait to gran some exclusive vinyl from their favorite artists. We look at 10 releases worth grabbing at your local record store. More information about Record Store Day, including a list of participating record stores, can be found here.

Death - Fate: The Best of Death
Format: LP
Label: Relapse Records
Quantity: 2800

While death metal band Death disbanded following the death of vocalist Chuck Schuldiner in 2001, the band's legacy as one of the most influential death metal bands ever remains strong. Originally released in 1992, The Best of Death features material from the band's first four studio albums: Scream Bloody Gore (1987), Leprosy (1988), Spiritual Healing (1990), and Human (1991).

Frou Frou - Off Cuts
Format: LP
Label: Megaphonic
Quantity: 3000

Last year, Frou Frou (Imogen Heap and Guy Sigsworth) unveiled Off Cuts, which features a handful of previously unreleased demos. The compilation was released in celebration of Details' 20th anniversary. Frou Frou reunited back in 2017 after disbanding back in 2004. The band's music has been heard in the Shrek 2 and Garden State soundtracks.

The Donnas - Early Singles 1995-1999
Format: LP
Label: Real Gone Music
Quantity: 1500

While The Donnas had their breakthrough year in 2002 with charting singles such as "Take It Off" and "Who Invited You," the band was cutting their teeth in the Palo Alto music scene. Early Singles 1995-1999 features a slew of singles featuring the band in their early form. Remastered by Mike Milchner of Sonic Vision, this Record Store Day exclusive will be pressed on metallic gold vinyl.

Garbage - Witness To Your Love EP
Format: Vinyl
Label: BMG
Quantity: 1600

Garbage's Witness To Your Love EP includes the rare 2008 title track, a previously unreleased cover of Siouxie & The Banshees' "Cities in Dust", and previously unreleased No Gods, No Masters session tracks "Blue Betty" and "Adam & Eve." Garbage are currently working on their eighth studio album, but they'll put that on hold this summer during their trek alongside Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Metric.

Horse The Band - The Mechanical Hand
Format: 2 x LP
Label: MNRK Heavy
Quantity: 2000

In 2005, metalcore/chiptune hybrid Horse The Band unveiled their sophomore studio album The Mechanical Hand, which found them touring alongside acts such as Portugal. The Man and Poison The Well. The 13-track album was produced by Matt Bayles, who worked with acts such as Minus The Bear, Pearl Jam, and Deftones. In late 2020, Horse The Band released their Your Fault EP, which is their first release since 2009's Desperate Living.

Madness - I Do Like To Be B-Side The A-Side, Vol. 3
Format: LP
Label: BMG
Quantity: 1300

British ska band Madness will continue their B-side collaboration with Record Store Day with I Do Like To Be B-Side The A-Side, Vol. 3. The release will feature 12 B-sides from the band's discography. Madness will be touring the U.K. this summer. Their last studio album was 2016's Can't Touch Us Now.

Peppa Pig - Peppa’s Club: The Album
Format: LP
Label: MNRK Music
Quantity: 1500

While Peppa Pig is a kids' show, many parents have found themselves humming along to tunes from the series. Whether you're buying this for the kids or secretly for yourself, Peppa’s Club: The Album features a slew of memorable tunes such as "Bestest Daddy In The World," "Gardening With Grandpa," and "Time For Bed." In 2021, the Peppa Pig series was renewed through 2027. A new Peppa Pig video game called Peppa Pig: World Adventures was recently released for consoles and PC.

P.M. Dawn - The Bliss Album...? (Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence)
Format: LP
Label: MNRK Music
Quantity: 2000

New Jersey hip hop/R&B act P.M. Dawn continued their momentum following their number-one hit "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" with their 1993 sophomore album The Bliss Album...? (Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence). The 15-track release features the hit singles "I'd Die Without You" and "Looking Through Patient Eyes." The vinyl release celebrate's the album's 30th anniversary.

The Sisters of Mercy - The Reptile House
Format: LP
Label: Rhino
Quantity: 4500

Just in time for The Sisters of Mercy’s U.S. tour next month, Rhino will unveil The Reptile House on vinyl in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The six-track EP has been out of print on vinyl since its original release. This Record Store Day release comes on smoky vinyl with a poster insert.

Sonseed - First Fruit
Format: LP
Label: Arena Rock Recording Company
Quantity: 1000

In 2008, '80s pop band Sonseed became a viral sensation thanks to an upload of their live performance of the ska-tinged "Jesus Is My Friend." Their sole studio album First Fruit gets the vinyl treatment thanks to Arena Rock Recording Company.