Let's face it, America is totally jumping the shark with this whole Black Friday thing. It's gotten entirely out of hand so badly that Thanksgiving has become meaningless for far too many Americans, for both the bargain hungry consumer and the poor souls who have to serve them instead of being with their families. It really is disgusting. There is however a wonderful silver lining to the blight of Black Friday, and that's the Record Store Day sequel that lands yet more goodness in our local independent record shops for our joyful consumption. 

Once again a tremendous bevy of artists are offering special artifacts and goodies for sale only at record stores to support these vital music outlets and the communities of music fans they serve. It's capitalist consumerism you can feel good about, and frankly if you value the physical article that is vinyl (and to a less extent CD) it's another smorgasborg of music fan enjoyment. Here's a brief look at what's going to available Friday and where you can get in on the fun after elbowing your fellow man in the head for a discounted HD TV.


Black Friday Special Releases Of Note:

Band of Horses, Live At The Ryman, 7" vinyl
Charles Bradley ft The Budos Band and the Bullets, "Changes," 7' vinyl. Super 
Daptacular goodness from everybody's friends at Daptone Records.
Civil Wars, Between The Bars, 7' vinyl. A posthumous release from this late and lamented band.
The Clash, their whole catalog on CD. Available until January 14, 2014.
The Doors, Curated By Record Store Day, LP vinyl. Rarities and mono mixes picked by record store owners. Sounds boffo.
Bob Dylan, Side Tracks, LP vinyl. A mother-lode of never before released tracks on 3 LPs. There might be some Bob Dylan fans jostling for this one. Watch out.
Elvis Costello & The Roots, Wise Up: Thought Remixes and Reworks, CD. A companion to their excellent Wise Up Ghost (reviewed here) from two of the biggest musicheads ever.
The Flaming Lips, Peace Sword, LP and CD. The physical release of their Peace Sword EP Ender's Game companion pieace (reviewed here) featuring a new song and more super awesome handmade vinyl. I'm gonna get my ass out of bed and snag this early.
Foals, CCTV Sessions, LP vinyl. 
The Grateful Dead, Family Dog At The Great Highway, LP vinyl. Live acoustic Dead from 1970.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Fire/Foxy Lady," 7' vinyl.
John Denver & The Muppets, A Christmas Together, 12" picture disc. Nuff said.
Nas, Halftime, 12' vinyl. 
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Live At KRCW, Vinyl LP.
Nirvana, In Utero 2013 Mix. LP vinyl.
Roy Orbison, The Monument Vinyl Box, 4 vinyl LPs. 3 of his biggest albums plus an album of unreleased tracks.
Puscifer, Puscifer's 8 Ball Bail Bonds--The Berger Barns Live in Phoenix, LP vinyl.
Queens Of The Stone Age, ... Like Clockwork (Black On Black), LP vinyl. Limited edition apparently.
Silversun Pickups, "Let It Decay/Working Title," 10' vinyl.
Skaters, "Deadbolt," 7" vinyl. Lead single from their upcoming debut.
Sly & The Family Stone, "Sexy Situation/Mother Is A Hippy," 7" vinyl.
Tegan & Sara, "Guilty As Charged/Running On Empty," 7' vinyl.
Josh Tilman (aka Father John Misty), The History Of Caves (soundtrack), LP
Truth And Soul Records Presents The Soul Fire Boxed Set, 7' vinyl boxed set.
U2, "Ordinary Love," 7' single. Their contribution to the Idris Elba Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk To Freedom, and quite possibly one of the band's last 7' singles if you believe the hype (I kind of do).
Uncle Tupelo, "I Wanna Be Your Dog/Commotion," 7' vinyl. UT + Stooges and Credence covers = yeah.
Various Artists, A Musical Tribute To The Songs Of Shel Silverstein. Vinyl LP.
Zabriskie Point soundtrack, Vinyl LP. A vinyl pressing of the legendary soundtrack to the legendary Michelangelo Antonioni film featuring Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead.


The complete list of goodies available Black Friday can be found here.


And once again a bunch of local stores will be participating, almost forming a dragnet of musical joy to cover Western New York:

Black Dots
223 Lafayette Ave (at Grant St), Buffalo


M&B Record Exchange
207 Delaware St, Tonawanda


Music Matters
527 Cayuga Dr, Niagara Falls


Record Theatre
1800 Main Street (at Lafayette Ave), Buffalo
3500 Main Street (in University Plaza), Amherst


Spiral Scratch Records
291 Bryant St, Buffalo

Super Bowl Sunday is a totally lame quasi national holiday, ruined utterly by the big corporations who couldn't help but ruin it once they realized that it was a quasi national holiday. Big commerce does that. Tomorrow's Record Store Day, however, is a wonderful quasi national holiday: the corporations haven't ruined it, it's for a good cause (preserving and strengthening the endangered species that is your local record store), and it's totally by and for music lovers. Even though money changes hands, Record Store Day, now in it's sixth year, feels pure, beneficent, and good for the soul.

There's a palpable feeling of joy and bonhomie at the record store on Record Store Day because there's no substitute for laying your hands on that vinyl 7' or LP that you read about as part of your pregame research. Perhaps this celebration of the physical article is why Record Store Day has taken off and grown with each successive installment in this age of digital ephemera. The love of music is real and tangible on Record Store Day, and here's your guide to what's going around locally. A complete list of the special RSD 2013 releases can be found HERE.


Record Theatre

Both Record Theatre locations will be opening at 9 AM and offering a 20% off sale til noon. The Main and Lafayette location will be featuring DJ Cutler 9AM to 1 PM and the R&R BBQ Truck from 9AM to 2 PM. The University Plaza location will be featuring live music all day starting at 9 AM:

9:00 AM: Sleepy Hahas
10:00 AM: Sonny Baker
11:00 AM: Tony Flaminio
12:00 PM: Pine Fever
1:00 PM: The Flat Five
2:00 PM: American Stories
3:00 PM: High Flyin' Babies
4:00 PM: Mooses
5:00 PM: Kamikaze LTD.
6:00 PM: Merchants
7:00 PM: Johns
8:00 PM: Flood Drinker
8:30 PM: Big Classic


Spiral Scratch Records, 291 Bryant St.

Spiral Scratch will once again be going all in with deals, Amy's Food Truck in front and a killer lineup of live music:

11:15 AM: Tired Iron
12:00 PM: Space Wolves
12:45 PM: Mark Norris
1:30 PM: Word Girls
2:15 PM: Matt and the Immediates
3:00 PM: The Returners
3:45 PM: Failures Union
4:30 PM: White Whale
5:00 PM: The GOOD

For our readers in the North towns, RSD is being observed at these fine record stores:

M&B Record Exchange, 207 Delaware St., Tonawanda
Music Matters, 527 Cayuga Dr., Niagara Falls

Now as a matter of practice I highly recommend checking out the official Record Store Day list to get an idea of what could be waiting for you when you get to your local store. Quantities and availability vary, so the early bird definitely gets the worm. And don't worry if you're not a vinyl aficionado, there are some cd and cassette releases this year; plus April has been a heavy month for great releases (Caveman, Black Angels, Charles Bradley, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Iron and Wine, The Flaming Lips, The Besnard Lakes, etc) so there's definitely stuff to get tomorrow.

Here's a brief list of a few RSD 2013 items that caught my attention:

The Band, The Last Waltz 12" vinyl.
Best Coast, Fear Of My Identity 7'"vinyl
Big Star, Nothing Can Hurt Me 12" vinyl
The Black Keys / Stooges, No Fun 7" vinyl
Blitzen Trapper, Blitzen Trapper Deluxe Reissue, 12" vinyl
David Bowie, Drive-In Saturday Night, 7" picture disc
Brian Eno, Brian Eno x Nicholas Jaar x Grizzly Bear, 12" vinyl
Built To Spill, Live, available on 12" vinyl and on cd
Gary Clark Jr., Hwul Raw Cuts Vol 2, 12" vinyl
Cream, Royal Albert Hall May 2-3-4-5-6 2005 vinyl box set
The Cure, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, 12" vinyl
Cut Copy, Bright Like Neon Love, 12" vinyl
Cyprus Hill, Black Sunday, 12" vinyl
Ani DiFranco, Buffalo (Official Bootleg), 12" vinyl
Bob Dylan, Wigwam, 7" vinyl
Foals, Holy Fire, 12" vinyl
The Gaslight Anthem, Handwritten Deluxe, 12" vinyl
Grateful Dead, Rare Cuts and Oddities 1966, cd
Grizzly Bear, Horn Of Plenty, 7" vinyl
GZA, Liquid Swords Chess Box, vinyl box set
Robyn Hitchcock, There Goes The Ice, 12" vinyl
The Hold Steady, Criminal Fingers 7, 7" vinyl
Fela Kuti, Sorrow Tears And Blood, 12" vinyl
MGMT, Alien, cassette w/ digital download *NEW SONG*
Willie Nelson w/ Snoop Lion, Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die, 7" vinyl
Old 97's and Waylon Jennings, 7" vinyl
Shuggie Otis, Introducing Shuggie Otis, 12" vinyl
Van Dyke Parks, Song Cycle, 12" vinyl
Phoenix, Entertainment, 7" vinyl
The Pink Floyd, See Emily Play, 7" vinyl
Portugal. The Man, Church Mouth, 12" vinyl
Public Enemy, Planet Earth: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits,
12" picture disc
Pulp, After You, 7" vinyl *NEW SONG*
Pussy Galore, Groove Hate ____, 7" vinyl
R.E.M., Live In Greensboro EP, cd
The Roots, Things Fall Apart, 2 x 12" vinyl
Ty Segall, Ty Rex, 7" vinyl
Shearwater with Sharon Van Etten, Stop Dragging My Heart Around, 7" vinyl
Sigur Ros, Agaetis Byrjun, 12" vinyl
Sly and the Family Stone, I Want To Take You Higher, 10" vinyl
Snapcase, Steps, 12" vinyl
Super Chunk, Void, 7" vinyl
Swedish House Mafia, The Singles, 12" vinyl
Tame Impala, Tame Impala EP, 12" vinyl
Tegan & Sara, Closer Remixed, 12" vinyl
Titus Andronicus, Record Store Day, 12" vinyl
Paul Weller, Sonik Kicks The Singles, 7" vinyl box set
The xx, Jaime xx Edits, 12" vinyl


And instead of Jack White, the official Ambassador of Record Store Day (who I don't particularly like), here's Robyn Hitchcock talking about the joys of albums on vinyl. Oh, and my first vinly record was Kiss: Alive!, their legendary 1975 live double album, purchased at the Main and Lafayette Record Theatre back in 19__. Still have it.

Come down to Mohawk Place tonight for a unique event presented by Campus Wheel Works and Record Theatre. Tune Up features drink specials and raffles. Record Theater will have new and used records for sale and will also be accepting trade ins for store credit. Each attendee will receive 5 raffle tickets and drawings will be held for a variety of prizes, ranging from record cleaning kits to an autographed lp by buffaBlog favorites, Japandroids, to bike accessories. e organizers hope to make this a regular event to promote local businesses and future Tune Ups will feature raffles raising money for charity. So, if you ever needed the alcohol induced courage to buy more records or just want to do something a little different tonight, head down to Mohawk.

The Record Theatre and Campus Wheelworks Present: Tune Up!
Mohawk Place
9pm

Just an update folks regarding tonight's Sigur Ros album global streaming event (the so called "Valtari Hour"). Record Theatre will not be streaming the album as previously reported. Stuff happened, it's not happening, and it's (majestic, otherworldly Icelandic) rock and roll- these things happen. Anyway, Valtari is supposed to begin a new phase for the beloved Icelandic indie rockers, but for my money it still sounds like classic Sigur Ros, which is just fine with me because each new iteration of the band's music only expands and deepens their sound without repeating themselves or worse betraying it simply and unnecessarily for the sake of change. Sigur Ros is Sigur Ros, and it is good.


Valtari will still be streaming online at 7 PM all over the world at the Sigur Ros website, and for readers in the following cities with cool radio stations (WBNY really let me down on this one as they were our only hope in Buffalo), on these local radio stations (courtesy of Consequence of Sound):


KEXP – Seattle, WA
WNYC – New York, NY
XPN – Philadelphia, PA
KCMP (The Current) – St. Paul, MN
KTBG – Warrensburg, MO
WFUV – New York, NY
KXT – Dallas, TX
WYEP – Pittsburgh, PA
WTMD – Towson, MD
WBER – Rochester, NY
KRSH – Santa Rosa, CA
FM 94-9 “Big Sonic Chill” – San Diego, CA


Valtari will be in shops and on the interwebs on May 28th.

Music lovers of Western New York, I hope your Record Store Day was fulfilling and fun, and that you got most of what you wanted because indeed this year was the best RSD yet. I'd elaborate, but I feel like a kid emotionally tuckered out after a particularly fine Christmas morning, and frankly, I don't want to. I'm just gonna bask in that glow of contentment and joy. 


And for those out there who haven't gotten to a record store yet today, you've got plenty of time to check out Spiral Scratch Records, the original Record Theatre at Main and Lafayette (with it's boffo back room!), and take in some live music at the University Plaza Record Theatre. Also, in addition to our Record Store Day 2012 Guide, Buffalo.com has some swell RSD coverage, including this ditty that features contributions from Mac, Sean, and myself. It's a celebration (bitches!) of music, art, and local commerce, so don't miss out. And check out this lovely and frankly profound chat with Johnny Rotten about Record Store Day, culture, music, Julie Andrews, and Guy Fawkes. 


Feel the love! Feel it now!

The wait is almost over as tomorrow is the 5th annual edition of Record Store Day, an international celebration of local record stores. Both of Buffalo's record stores are participating (we used to have more, but, that's why we now have Record Store Day) with Record Theatre (both locations) and Spiral Scratch Records featuring a veritable bonanza of special RSD releases covering an astounding variety of musical genres. Here's our guide to the Record Store Day releases that we're looking forward to:


Afrika Bambaataa/ MC5, Kick Out The Jams, 7" single. Not a mash-up (although that might have been cool), this single features the MC5 classic and the Afrika Bambaataa classic cover.


Animal Collective, Transverse Temporal Gyrus, LP. In 2010, Animal Collective and visual artist Danny Perez put on an audio/visual installation at the Guggenheim Museum, and this LP will be the only physical release featuring music from that installation. A must for Animal Collective fans.








Otis Redding/Aretha Franklin, Respect, 7" single. Features the Otis Redding original and the Aretha cover that you know and love.














Beach House, Lazuli b/w Equal Mind, 7" single. A lovely appetizer for the main course that will be the new Beach House album due May 15.




Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Live From The Legendary Sun Studios, LP. Grace Potter and Co have become bona fide Buffalo favorites, and this live set recorded at the same Sun Studios where Elvis recorded his earliest (and finest) work will be a hot ticket.






Iggy and The Stooges, Live at All Tomorrow's Parties, LP. Live cuts hand selected by Iggy and The Stooges, plus an interview with Iggy Pop.














Sigur Ros, Hvarf-Heim, 2x LP. This special RSD vinyl release features electric and acoustic performances featured in the excellent Sigur Ros concert film Heima. Previously available only on boring cd.












The Flaming Lips, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, 2x LP. Featuring collaborations with Neon Indian, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Nick Cave, Bon Iver, Yoko Ono, Chris Martin, and Ke$ha previously available on handmade vinyl records hand delivered by Wayne Coyne to record stores in the Oklahoma City area and USB chips embedded in gummy skulls, gummy fetuses, and even gold dipped human skulls, this might well be the ultimate Record Store Day release.




The Black Angels, Lonely b/w Watch Out Boy, 7" single. Features new music from these magnificent psychedelic rockers from Austin Texas (who play The Town Ballroom August 4th!) and a free download of The Zombies classic "She's Not There."


Uncle Tupelo, 7" Singles Box Set. Before Wilco there was Uncle Tupelo, and this box set collects that seminal band's singles.




Arcade Fire, Sprawl II, LP. There's not a lot of info on this release. It's listed as an LP and not a 7" single so one would suspect that it's more than just a single. Arcade Fire fans will probably just pick it up on general principle.










Bruce Springsteen, Rocky Ground b/w The Promise, 7" Single. An excellent way souvenir for fans of The Boss.  Fans still buzzing about the show last week. 














M83, Mirror, 7" Single. Features an unreleased track off of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming on one side, and a cool engraving on the other.














The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink soundtracks, LP. Ideal for 80's fetishists, John Hughes fans, Molly Ringwald devotees, and anybody who wants to truly appreciate M83's Saturdays=Youth.














The Mynah Birds, It's My Time b/w Go On and Cry, 7" Single. Remember when you heard that back in the day Buffalo's own Rick James was in a band with Neil Young, and you said "get the ____ outta here" or "no ____ing way?" Well, it's true, the name of the band was The Mynah Birds, and one of their singles is going to be a RSD exclusive... an artifact of profound import for Buffalo music fans.






Other items of interest:


Buck Owens colouring book w flexidisc. You know you watched Hee-Haw back in the day. Don't lie.
Buddy Guy, This Is Buddy Guy, LP.
Cursive, Burst and Bloom, LP.
Deerhoof with Of Montreal, Stygian Bisection, 7" Single.
Destroyer, Destroyer's Rubies, LP.
Esperanza Spaulding, Radio Music Society, LP.
Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac, 180 gram LP. For the baby boomers.
Grateful Dead, Dark Star: Europe '72 Olympia Theatre Paris France 5/4/72. 180 gram LP.
Iggy and The Stooges, Raw Power, LP.
James Brown, There It Is b/w Pass The Peas, 7" Single.
Little Richard, Here's Little Richard!, LP
Lou Reed, Transformer and Rock N Roll Animal, LP.
Mastodon / The Flaming Lips, A Spoonful Weighs A Ton, 7" Single.
Miles Davis, Forever Miles, LP.
Pete Townsend, Quadrophenia Demos Part 2, 10" LP.
Phish, Junta Deluxe (Pollack Version), LP. Available in a pricey edition and pricier edition.
Public Image LTD, One Drop EP, LP.
Rough Guide: New Orleans, 180 gram LP.
Rough Guide: Psychedelic Africa, 180 gram LP.
St. Vincent, Krokodil, 7" Single.
Snapcase, Progression Through Vinyl, LP.
Social Distortion, Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes, LP
Wilco & Billy Bragg, Mermaid Avenue, 3x LP + DVD.


And that's not all. There's a ton of great stuff that's going to be available Saturday.


Spiral Scratch Records (291 Bryant, BFLO) will be having live performers in store, a coffee station, and deals, deals, deals. The University Plaza Record Theatre location (3500 Main Street, Amherst) will also be featuring live music all day long:


10:00 - 10:30  Sleepy Hahas


11:00 - 11:30  Ten Cent Howl

12:00 - 12:30  Seashell Radio

1:00 - 1:30  Vox Humana

2:00 - 2:30  Nicky Gordon

3:00 - 3:30  Cassi Meyerhoffer 

4:00 - 4:30  Cracker Japs

5:00 - 5:30 A Relative Term

6:00 - 6:30 Sleepy Sparrows

7:00 - 7:30 Ronald Raygun

8:00 - 8:30 High Flying Babys