Record Store Day 2013

As I write this feature, a stack of vinyl sits beside me.  The selection ranges from classic records of the 1970's to pristine new releases pressed on various shades of color.  You guessed it, yesterday was Record Store Day, an idea that was born in 2007 and has since become one the most anticipated events of each year.  Independent record stores, musicians, and listeners around the world celebrated with an enormous variety of exclusive releases.

This year, I made my way to three record stores in Richmond.  First up was BK Music, followed by Plan 9 Music, and finally ending with Deep Groove Records.  The selection at each location seemed to be a game of luck.  One store would sell out of that special 12" instantly while the next one would have a stack waiting to be touched.  How exciting.

To keep things a bit more interesting, the remainder of this post will be pictures of every record in my bag along with a small caption of some sort.  You know how it goes.  The majority of the records I picked up had white sleeves for some reason, so some of the albums kind of blend in with the background.  Bear with me here. Everyone likes pictures of vinyl, right?

David Bowie's "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" 7" pressed on white vinyl.  I mean, it's Bowie.  This seemed to be the one record that every single person picked up as they went through the store.

The xx's "Jamie xx Edits" 12" in a die-cut sleeve.  Thanks to what appears to be a manufacturing error, the label on the front cover is upside down.

Ra Ra Riot's "Binary Mind" 10", which includes a new track and several demos.  This one came with a digital download code, something you don't see very often on RSD.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Sacrilege/Mosquito (Live At Area 52)" single pressed on red vinyl.  While it wasn't a RSD release I had to pick it up along with the new album.

The much talked about Brian Eno/Nicolas Jaar/Grizzly Bear collaboration.  Nicolas Jaar remixed one track from each of the other artists for this 12".

Here's another non-RSD exclusive selection, Carole King's "Tapestry".  When you're around so much vinyl all day, random purchases are bound to be made.

Free CD samplers!  Sub Pop, Def Jam, and other random labels!

Free Charli XCX, Devendra Banhart, and Sugar posters!

Free Toro y Moi keychain!

And that's the haul!  Well, I also picked up that nice Jack White pin at the very top of the page.  As you can probably see, the shops went overboard with random giveaways.  But enough about what I found, what did everyone else buy?  Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite #RSD13 purchases.  If you couldn't find that treasure at the top of your wish list, like myself and countless others, what were you searching for?

Christopher Owens - Lysandre Acoustic

Before I even start talking about the music, let me just say that Christopher Owens could use a bit of help when it comes to art direction.  His solo artwork so far has been memorable for all the wrong reasons.  That's unfortunate.  But you know what they say, don't judge a book, or album for that matter, by its cover.

The former Girls frontman is releasing an acoustic version of his debut solo record, Lysandre, which came out earlier this year.  With this edition of Lysandre, it's just Owens and his guitar.  The full acoustic record is available to download right now for free, just head over to Christopher Owens' website for the link.  A limited and numbered 10" vinyl pressing of Lysandre Acoustic will be out on May 20, so mark your calendar.

If you like to try before you buy, even through it's completely free, Lysandre Acoustic is streaming here.

CSS - Hangover

Earlier this week, CSS announced all of the details surrounding their upcoming fourth album, Planta.  The record will feature eleven new tracks and, unless it's gone through a title change, "I've Seen You Drunk Gurl" is absent.  There's some Richard Avedon inspired artwork to go along with the music, as you can seen above.

This will be the band's first album since the departure of longtime member, Adriano Cintra, but that doesn't seem to be slowing them down at any rate.  To make things even better, the now all-girl band also decided to reveal Planta's lead single, "Hangover".  The track definitely leans on CSS' poppy side.  The punk attitude is resting while some synthy horns and a dance-like beat get the job done.

Planta will be out on June 11.  Keep reading to stream "Hangover" and check out the record's tracklisting...