We hope your wish lists are ready, it’s that time of year again. Record Store Day. It’s like an extra Christmas for record lovers around the globe.
Every year, the team at Record Store Day compiles a list of releases to be sold at independently owned record stores worldwide. This year, April 12th is the day to note down.
More than just the list, it’s a day for the record-loving community to come together to celebrate and support the culture of it all.
This highly anticipated Record Store Day (RSD) Official List was published earlier this year. A mix of re-releases and exciting new vinyl across three categories: Exclusives, RSD Firsts, and Small Run/Region Titles.
While there’s something for everyone from all genres, we honed in on what we consider black gold: the classic rock releases.
Here’s a wrap-up of some of our top picks from the best genre.
The Sound's Top Picks for Record Store Day:
George Harrison - 'All Things Must Pass' (3LP Zoetrope picture disc set)
This limited edition Zoetrope pressing of George Harrison’s entire studio album catalogue is one to look out for.
How good would it be to watch the disc artwork animate and come to life as you listen to the classic tunes of Harrison?
Lou Reed - 'Metal Machine Music' (2LP)
A special edition to mark the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking album, Lou Reed's 'Metal Machine Music' remains as impressive as it was in 1975.
At the time, it was dubbed “the greatest record ever made in the history of the human eardrum” by Creem magazine.
The Doors - 'Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress' (LP)
After 58 years being hidden away, rough mixes from The Doors ‘Strange Days’ album have been rediscovered and compiled into this release.
This work in progress lets us travel back in time and be guests at their early 1967 sessions - a dream for any hardcore Doors fans.
Fleetwood Mac - 'Fleetwood Mac' (LP Picture Disc)
Another album celebrating its 50th anniversary, the 7X platinum certified ‘Fleetwood Mac’ comes in picture format for the very first time.
Perfect for listening to and perhaps even better for showing off.
Queen - 'De Lane Lea Demos' (12” Vinyl)
This exclusive Queen release gives us five restored versions of the band’s 1971 and 1972 demos.
Recorded at the De Lane Lea Studios, lead guitarist Brain May has always felt these track recordings captured the bands “spontaneity and sparkle”, as he recalled to RSD.
Joni Mitchell - 'Live 1976' (3LP)
One for the folk-rock lovers, Joni Mitchell's ‘Live 1976’ is jam packed with unreleased and live content from her 1976 tour and from the Joni Mitchell Archive Vol 4. box set.
Black Sabbath - 'The Eternal Idol' (LP)
Perhaps Black Sabbath’s most underrated album, ‘The Eternal Idol’ is coming back to record shelves with a revamp. For the first time it will be available to purchase on 140g red translucent vinyl.
What a way to accentuate the dark and eerie vibes of the band’s thirteenth album.
T. Rex - 'Bolan B-Sides' (2LP)
A band that’s considered one of the cornerstones of classic and glam rock, this Record Store Day we are blessed with a collection of 1972-1977 B-sides from Marc Bolan’s T. Rex.
The LP set features flipside tracks and much loved classics pressed onto contrasting crimson red and midnight blue vinyl. Super cool.
You can view the complete list here.
There’s plenty more to choose from come Saturday so make sure you head down to your local, and participating, indie record store. Happy shopping!
