Mixtape | Record Store Day 2012

The crackle and pop of a record on a turntable makes me happy. Not only is there a warm, multi-layered sound to love about them, but the physical interaction involved when playing one creates a connection with music that can’t be achieved by pushing a button on a computer or MP3 player.

Celebrating this love – and the love millions of others – is one of my favorite holidays, Record Store Day, the third Saturday in April each year.

Fans flock to local record stores to line up for the chance to buy limited releases by their favorite artists. Bands play one-off live shows inside stores. And most importantly, a very niche and crucial part of our music scene is bolstered once again – the independently owned record store.

All music fans should take note. Records may be seeing somewhat of a comeback, but it’s important to protect this key part of music history. You can do that by supporting your local store, local musicians and buying more records.

Twinkle’s Record Store Recs

I’m all about the old and dusty records, but there is just something about breaking the seal on the outside of a new piece of vinyl. Although there are tons of great RSD purchases out there, I’ve listed five releases you should grab. Check out my Spotify mixtape for a more in-depth list of artists I recommend this year.

All releases are Record Store Day exclusive releases

Aretha Franklin/Otis Redding
Respect
7” 45 gold vinyl
Warner Bros.

This single is first on my list. Two of my favorite artists ever, both legendary and still relevant today, team up on this one-of-a-kind gold vinyl 45 release. Tracks include Otis Redding’s “Respect” on one side and Aretha’s cover of that same song on the other. Twinkle rates this release Cool Mint +++++

 

Gene Clark
One In A Hundred / She's The Kind Of Girl
7” 45
Sundazed Records

Gene Clark, revered songwriter and guitarist from The Byrds, is an underrated musician more than worthy of a limited release. His songs influenced the music spectrum from psych rock to alternative country to indie to garage. These two songs in particular speak well of his genius, and would be a gem in any records collection.
Twinkle rates this release Cert-ifiable Mint++++++

Devo
2-LP set Live in Seattle 1981
Devo

Often thought of as an outsider band, this electronic-centric group created groundbreaking pop punk throughout the ‘80s. From Target commercial theme songs to children’s cartoons, Devo runs deep in our culture. There are more than plenty of rare Devo recordings out there, albeit some are hard to find. Luckily Devo archivist Michael Pilmer found the tape to a 1981 live show in a shoebox from Bob No. 2’s home years ago and transferred it to DAT (digital audio tape.) If you are looking for obscure, low-fi and bragging pieces for your RSD haul, this is definitely the one to fight for.
Twinkle rates this release Mecha-mania Mint +++++

Lee “Scratch” Perry
Blackboard Jungle Dub (Limited Box Set)
3-10” LPs
Get On Down Records

Lee “Scratch” Perry may not be a familiar name with some, but in the ska, reggae, dub scene he is like a grandfather. Musical peer and friend of the more recognized Bob Marley, Perry’s lyrics, at times more like rhythms, experimental lines and repetitive sounds mixed with the slow bounce of the bass and drums is just a sheer delight. Any audiophile, especially if you are into dub/reggae at all, should try and score this limited colored vinyl release, complete in hinged box.
Twinkle rates this release Dubble-Mint ++++

 

The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends
Double LP

The Flaming Lips have a knack for creating strange, outrageous and amazing releases with some well-known and some lesser-known musicians. This RSD exclusive leaves no stone unturned, featuring artists such Yoko Ono, Bon Iver, Ke$ha, Neon Indian, Erykah Badu and others. The genius of this band may be questionable, but still, the originality certainly cannot. This is a must-buy.
Twinkle rates this release Curiously Strong Mint++++++

Check out Twinkle’s Spotify mixtape for a more in-depth list of recommended Record Store Day 2012 artists.

Track Listing:  

1. “Respect” - Otis Redding
2. “Sweet Thang” - Shuggie Otis
3. “Telegram Sam” - T. Rex
4. “Haul Me Up" - Richard Thompson
5. “Soul Fire" - Lee "Scratch" Perry
6. “Starman” - David Bowie
7. “It's My Time” - The Mynah Birds
8. “Three Imaginary Boys" - The Cure
9. “Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window” - Jimi Hendrix
10. “Tin Soldier” - Small Faces
11. “Diamond Way” - JEFF The Brotherhood
12. “Give It to Me” - Nobunny
13. "Through Being Cool" - Devo
14. "All We Have Is Now" - The Flaming Lips
15. "Ceremony" - New Order
16. "California Stars" - Billy Bragg with Wilco
17. "One In A Hundred" - Gene Clark
18. "First Shot Missed Him" - Mississippi John Hurt
19. "Say Hello" - Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens
20. "Some Velvet Morning" - Lee Hazlewood

-----------------------------------------------------------

Find Twinkle on Foodspotting, Tumblr and Twitter and at twinklevanwinkle.com.

Twinkle VanWinkle ponders, creates and discovers cool stuff about music, movies, food, fashion and so forth. Her thoughtful writings and interactives give great advice about healthy food, cooking tips, DIY projects, fashion and more. She’ll teach you a thing or two about music as well. Along with producing dynamic entertainment content for LIN Media, she is a mother, musician and social media fanatic.