Every year on Black Friday, don’t only expect good deals from your favorite department store, but expect the people over at Record Store Day to offer an array of exclusive releases that appeals to every music fan. The list is so large that it can be a little overwhelming, so here’s a list of some of our picks to use as a guide when you go out shopping this year. Whether you’re shopping for your punk-loving self, rap-loving brother, or oldies-loving grandma, there’s something on this list for everyone, so make sure you go out and support your favorite artists as well as independent record stores.
James Bay, Chaos And The Calm Live; Republic
British indie-pop singer, James Bay, will be releasing a live version of his Grammy-nominated debut album, Chaos And The Calm. The release comes straight from his March 2016 performance at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. Bay began playing guitar at the age of 11 after being inspired by Eric Clapton’s “Layla.” He started playing open-mic nights in his late teens and developed a small following. After one of his fans uploaded a video of him performing to YouTube, he caught the eye of Republic Records and was signed with them a week after the video was uploaded.
The Beach Boys, Becoming The Beach Boys: Highlights From The Hite And Dorinda Morgan Sessions; Omnivore
At the end of August, the band that originated “surf rock” released a collection of some of their earliest recordings. The album is a collection of nine of their early songs over 63 tracks. The disc includes various takes of recordings, false starts, overdub sessions, studio banter between the guys, and final takes of some of their most popular songs. Nine of the songs on this album have never before been released on vinyl, so this is definitely something that you won’t want to miss.
Billy Idol, BFI LIVE; BFI Records
Billy Idol began his solo career in 1981 when he moved from London to New York City to work with former manager of KISS, Bill Aucoin. The icon rose to instant stardom in the U.S. with the release of his second LP, Rebel Yell. This record is composed of some of the legendary punk rocker’s greatest hits recorded live from various stops on his 2015 tour. A Record Store Day First Release, there will only be a limited amount, so you’re gonna wanna get your hands on them as soon as you can. A digital version will be released two weeks after Black Friday.
Bishop Briggs, Bishop Briggs; Island Records
Sarah Grace McLaughlin was born in London to parents from Bishopbriggs, Scotland, which is what inspired her stage name. At age four she moved to Tokyo with her parents, where she sang in public for the first time at a Tokyo karaoke bar and realized her love for music. She moved to Hong Kong at age 10 and lived there until she was 18, when she moved to Los Angeles to attend Musician’s Institute to pursue her music career. Her self-titled record will be released as a RSD exclusive Release and contains seven of her songs, including her popular single, “River.”
Disclosure, Moog For Love; Capitol Records
Brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence are a British electronic music duo that started off playing music young. Sons of two musicians, music was in their blood. The boys began getting into house music while Guy, the older of the two, was in college. The duo released their first single in 2010 and then signed with the new PMR record label. The brothers have collaborated with some of the biggest names in music today, acts such as Sam Smith and Lorde, and are still going strong.
Frank Sinatra, White Christmas/ Christmas Waltz; Ume/ Capitol Records
What’s Black Friday without a little Christmas shopping? This Sinatra record will be released for the first time since its initial release in 1959 and is a RSD exclusive. The album includes two of Sinatra’s most popular Christmas tunes, “White Christmas” and “Christmas Waltz.”
Mötley Crüe, Kickstart My Heart/Home Sweet Home; Eleven Seven Music
This over-the-top group was undoubtedly one of the most popular hard rock acts of the 1980s. The band was formed in Los Angeles in January 1981 and quickly developed a cult following from people in the area. They were known for their crazy theatrics, such as setting bassist Nikki Sixx’s pants on fire mid-song. The band gained national success when their video for “Looks That Kill” was released via MTV in 1983. This disc is a limited edition Record Store Day exclusive that features two of their most popular songs, “Kickstart My Heart” and “Home Sweet Home.”
Ramones, Live At The Roxy 8/12/76; Rhino
From 1974-1978, four former neighbors from Forest Hills, Queens, have been said to have had set the blueprint for punk with their first four albums. Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone are names that almost every music fan knows, even if they aren’t a Ramones fan in particular. Even after Tommy and Dee Dee left the band, Johnny and Joey kept it going with substitute musicians until their retirement in 1996. This record will be composed of the best tracks of two live shows that the group played on August 12, 1976.
The Rolling Stones, Ride ‘Em All Down; Interscope
This iconic English rock band was formed in 1962 in London and brought their music to the U.S. in 1964, right in the midst of the British Invasion. The group celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2012 and still performs regularly. While the band has seen many musicians come and go, the two men who started the band, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, still remain true. This one-track release is limited edition, so make sure you get your hands on it.
Various Artists, The Wonder Years: Music From The Emmy Award Winning Show And Its Era; ORG Music
Along with the relatable, heart-wrenching and warming storylines, the soundtrack of this popular TV show is probably the most memorable thing about it. The album opens with Joe Cocker’s cover of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends,” which also served as the show’s theme song. This is the first time that this soundtrack is being released since its initial release in 1989 and is a Record Store Day exclusive. With songs from artists such as Van Morrison, Julian Lennon, and Carole King, this is something fans of the show will definitely not want to miss.
20 More Must-Have Releases
Alice Cooper, Live At The Astroturf
Alice In Chains, Live—Facelift
The Bangles, Ladies And Gentlemen…The Bangles
Ben Folds w/ yMusic, In Concert 2015-2016
The Cars, Just What I Needed
Eric Church, On The Rocks: Live and (Mostly) Unplugged
Foreigner, The Flame Still Burns
Iron Maiden, Brave New World
Jethro Tull, Ring Out, Solstice Bells
Jimi Hendrix, Morning Symphony Ideas
The Kinks, The Kinks
The Kinks, Sleepwalker
The Monkees, Good Times! Plus!
Mutemath, Changes
Otis Redding, Live At The Whiskey A Go-Go
The Raconteurs, Steady As She Goes/ Store Bought Bones
The Revivalists, Strangers In The Bright Lights
T.S.O.L, Revenge
The Turtles, Golden Hits, Vol. 1
Yardbirds, Birdland
