It’s the eve of the most wonderful day of the year for vinyl collectors: Record Store Day. Record Store Day, for the uninitiated, is a yearly event where special represses, first time presses, and variants of various albums and singles from all kinds of genres are released exclusively to independent record stores. Customers will get in line early, some starting the night before, to get their hands on some extremely limited-edition records. For many of these releases, the only way you’re going to get a copy not marked up ridiculously on Discogs is to show up at your local record store early Saturday morning.

I know some choose to boycott Record Store Day for various reasons. Some of the releases are clearly corporate cash grabs, others are things NOBODY asked for. And unfortunately it does exploit free-market crapitalism by bringing out the resellers willing to sit out all night to get the most exclusive releases and turn around and sell them for 4 or 5 times the sticker price. This takes them out of the hands of fans and collectors who just want the release. Rumor is the 1975’s live album is going to be the hot, hard-to-get item this year. I’m very curious to see how quickly it gets listed on Discogs and what the markup will be.

Despite the drawbacks, Record Store Day is still one of my favorite days of the year. I’ve managed to get some really great out-of-print albums and have been turned on to some different music from the obscure compilations that get dropped. The full list is pretty long and chock full of gems for all kinds of interestes(Check it out HERE). Below are 9 selections for Record Store Day that you should definitely check out if you happen to be near your local record store tomorrow.

Brownout-Presents Brown Sabbath Volume 1

Brownout are a Latin psychedelic outfit who’ve cut their teeth doing unique covers. Their first album, covering Black Sabbath, has long been out of print and is getting a much needed repress. Musically, it’s dynamite. The rhythms, horns, and psych elements create really interesting perspective on the classic metal band’s music. And the vocals do Ozzy justice. If you’re a fan of left-field music, Brown Sabbath Volume 1 is a no brainer.

Horse the Band-The Mechanical Hand

Nintendo-core pioneers HORSE the Band’s second album is being released on special colored vinyl. Featuring the classic songs “Birdo” and “Manateen,” The Mechanical Hand hearkens back to that magical time in early 2000’s metalcore when bands were willing to do some truly weird and innovative things. Heavy Heavy Low Low, Fear Before The March Of Flames, The Number 12 Looks Like You, and of course, HORSE the band created some very strange and very heavy albums that will always hold a certain place in my heart. And The Mechanical Hand is one of the best of them all.

Macho Man Randy Savage-Be A Man

Okay, when people talk about indulgent and unnecessary RSD releases, this is the kind of record they’re referring to. Once upon a time in 2003, “Macho Man” Randy Savage released a ‘rap’ album, about 20 years after this kind of gimmick was being done regularly (anyone remember the Rodney Dangerfield rap record?). Now it’s being released on vinyl for the very first time. Is it any good? Who cares! If you’re a fan of classic WWF, then this is a must-have collectible item.

The Midnight-Red White and Bruised Live

Synthwave breakout band The Midnight are releasing a live album from their 2022 sold out European Tour. I know that this was one of Tuned Up’s general editor Ryan Getz’ favorite bands of last year, and I’m sure the live experience is everything fans of this band could hope for.

Underoath-Voyeurist: Digital Ghost

Live recording of Underoath’s 2022 album Voyeurist. This is being billed as a ‘cinematic record’ so fans can expect a listening experience close to seeing the band in person.

Taylor Swift-Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions

Taylor Swift was the hard-to-find item of last year, with some fans lining up as early as 10 PM the night before to get their hands on a 7″. Luckily this time around, there are PLENTY of copies of Folklore. Since she was unable to tour on this album, Swift partnered with The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon for a live recording of the entire album. Swifties and indie music fans alike can appreciate this release.

Bluey-Dance Mode!

If you’re not watching Bluey right now, then why not? You don’t have to have kids to laugh and cry along to the 6-minute adventures of the Heeler family. This is the second soundtrack released for the worldwide phenomenon television show. And for Record Store Day, it is being released on special zoetrope vinyl picture disc. Which means when the record spins, it will look like the Heelers are dancing. Peppa Pig also has a record coming out tomorrow, but Peppa Pig also sucks. Bluey for the win, all day every day. Dance Mode activate!

Sonseed-“First Fruit”

Sonseed were a late 70’s Christian band made up of Roman Catholics in New York City. They pressed 1000 copies of their only album First Fruit in 1981 and only lasted for a few years after that. They would have fallen into complete obscurity except that a live recording of their disco-ska song “Jesus is a Friend of Mine” made it onto Youtube and went viral. The song is incredible. The lyrics are cheesy in the best way possible. Take for instance “He is like a Mountie, he always gets his man, and he’ll zap you anyway he can, Zap!” But beyond that, the music is actually really good and the bassline goes sooooo hard. Maybe this is all just a meme, but if so, it’s a really good meme that captured a really interesting moment in the early days of Christian inspirational music.