As per every Record Store Day, the list of releases is filled with pointless wastes of wax and time. There are picture discs, and Zoetrope vinyl with animated imagery, "breakout" releases, which really only means something that was already released in a deluxe box made available separately, and live albums that no one will play more than once, or at all. Yay.
Still, the fanatic in me found a few things worth getting, including a proper reissue of The Walker Brothers final studio album, "Nite Flights" from 1978 and a smart reissue of The Who's "A Quick One," which will feature a MONO remaster on LP number one, and a second LP of related singles and b-sides, including the "Ready, Steady, Who" E.P..
There are other things that are somewhat interesting, records I would have possibly purchased if they were a) not so expensive and b) just released properly like the old days before this stupid event. Releases by the Bad Brains, David Bowie, The Blasters, Captain Beefheart, Marshall Crenshaw, Todd Rundgren, Tommy Keene and Jurassic 5 all have some appeal, just not at $30 to $50 a pop.
That's all I've got. My mind is frozen. I will hopefully be more inspired when the temperature gets above 40 degrees.
I totally hear you about the weather. 😎
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally hear you about the price of vinyl
ReplyDeleteI know people in comments here usually only give unsolicited appreciation for this blog effort by Sal on those occasions when he muses about ending the site (PS. Please Don't), but I just want to say what a personal pleasure it is to have this luxury every day of something thoughtful, kind, and witty to read in this aggro cesspool of a current world. I'm thankful to be reminded that music and art matter and not only have something to add to the conversation, but to remind the rest of us that genuine works of creative art are worth discussing in greater depth than the general public seems to bother doing. It's worth remembering and reiterating that creative work can best be measured by its effect on us, rather than merely by its price or its gross revenue or chart position.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sal, for keeping the faith with meaningful music and the passionate discussion thereof.
Well said
DeleteAmen, anonymous! As for RSD, I don't own a turntable (or a home to put it in), so I'm never tempted. But the Brian Eno caught my eye. It'a a vinyl reissue of his 2010 album Small Craft on a Milk Sea (w Jon Hopkins and Leo Abrahams) and there's no reason on god's green earth it should be some expensive, rare, special thingie instead of just reissued at a decent price.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the Blasters had me look up what the RSD offering was, and I'm guessing I've likely got all the tuneage already. But the extras (24-page booklet) sounds like something a hard-copy reader like me would love to have about a great, great band. Oh well, for that price I'll quote the boys themselves and say "So long, baby, goodbye".
ReplyDeleteC in California
And AMEN to Ann Onymous re the joys of this blog.