Dave and Chuck the Freak

Record Store Day (RSD) 2024 is on April 20. For fans looking forward to hitting up their local record stores, the list of titles has been out for a while now, with additional titles added after the list was released.

As in recent years, releases are broken up into three different categories:

RSD Exclusive: These titles are physically released only at indie record stores.

RSD First: These titles are found first at indie record stores. However, they may be released to other retailers or websites at some point in the future

Small Run/Regional Titles: These titles are either regionally based and sold at specific stores or are press runs under 1000, which means they may be harder to find at record stores around the country.

Without further ado, the following are five titles we think you might want to add to your shopping list. The full titles list can be found at RecordStoreDay.com where you’ll also be able to find a list of participating stores.

But First, A Fun Fact About Record Store Day

Record Store Day has been an annual event for nearly two decades, and it grows with every year. However, if you look forward to RSD every year, you may have to thank Metallica for it.

During a panel at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles in April 2022 moderated by Variety, RSD co-founder Michael Kurtz gave massive props to the metal icons for the popularity of the event. Kurtz recalled RSD’s inaugural celebration in 2007 saying, “In the beginning, it was very hard, because almost nobody carried vinyl unless it was used, and most used vinyl was 25 or 50 cents…So when I talked to record store owners to get on board, the initial response was pretty negative.”

But then, thanks to some connections, Metallica got on board.

“From the feedback we got from the band, the reaction was ‘Hell yeah, let’s do that, that would be fun,'” said Kurtz. “It really was like a big explosion for everybody involved, because Tower [Records] had just gone out of business, and everybody was a little bit down, uncertain about everything. And then Metallica comes in and goes, ‘F— all that. Let’s have a party.’ And they put out their records on vinyl for that first Record Store Day, and then it just exploded from there.”

Record Store Day may just be the driving force behind vinyl’s increasing sales in recent years. Per Fortune“[Vinyl record] sales jumped 61% [in 2021] to $1 billion, the most since 1986, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).”

  • The Beatles Limited Edition RSD3 Turntable

    This might be the most desired item on the RSD list, but it also might be the most difficult to obtain. RSD has been dabbling in these kitchy, yet fun 3″ records and turntables in recent years. However, The Beatles are undoubtedly the biggest artist to take part in this unique trend. The limited edition turntable comes with four 3″ records: “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Til There Was You,” “She Loves You,” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” Only 2,300 turntable/record sets have been produced, so you better queue up early.

  • Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours' Picture Disc

    If your vinyl copy of Rumours has seen better days, you might want to pick up the RSD picture disc version of the classic album. In fact, it’s the first time the LP is being released as a picture disc. Side A will feature the iconic Mick Fleetwood/Stevie Nicks album cover, while Side B features a group shot of the band. This is an RSD exclusive release, and only 7,500 copies were pressed.

  • Talking Heads - 'Live at WCOZ 77'

    According to RecordStoreDay.com, “Previously unreleased in full, this celebrated live performance recorded live in 1977 for WCOZ that originally appeared on “The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads” is available as a 2LP collection. Cut at 45rpm and featuring fourteen tracks (seven are previously unheard from the original two-track tapes) recorded at Northern Studios on November 17, 1977, this blistering performances includes “Psycho Killer”, “Pulled Up”, “Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town”, “A Clean Break (Let’s Work)” and more.”

    This is another RSD exclusive release, and only 8,000 copies have been pressed.

    Cover of Talking Heads Live At WCOZ 77

    Rhino Entertainment

  • David Byrne & Paramore - "Hard Times"/"Burning Down The House"

    Speaking of Talking Heads, this unique 12″ released features Paramore covering the Talking Heads classic “Burning Down The House.” (The cover is featured on the upcoming Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Stop Making Sense.) Additionally, Byrne then recorded a cover of Paramore’s “Hard Times.”

    Byrne shared via X (formerly Twitter), “The band told me that their song Hard Times was inspired by Talking Heads, so I learned it and recorded my version of their great song with a horn section. This was fun!”

    Both covers can be heard below. The pressing of the tracks is another RSD exclusive, and only 5,000 copies are available.

  • Pearl Jam - 'Dark Matter'

    Sure, Pearl Jam released their new album a day before Record Store Day 2024, but of course they were going to do something. This pressing of Dark Matter is, in fact, an RSD exclusive release. Only 15,000 copies are available. However, the band make it a little extra fun by pressing the album on yellow and black vinyl.

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