I love phonograph record computer storage . In the decade or so that I ’ve beencollecting vinyl , I ’ve spent countless hours digging through stale crates from Toronto to London to New York to Tokyo , often walk out with a lot of wax under my sleeve . I love the musty smell , the naut mi of crates , the medicine , the gear , my fingers getting grimy from flipping , and the endorphin charge of finding something coolheaded or uncommon or new to take home and spin .
Record Store Day has always been the typification of that digging culture , only with a bounty of rare and unique finds useable for the pickings . Or at least that ’s the object . But it ’s not always as simple as that , which is why I have n’t been to an RSD in five yr … until now .
The glory of RSD
First , though , I wan’t to say that I love what Record Store Day is all about and I support it . I have intercourse that it ’s a positive biotic community event that draw like - minded music lover and vinyl nerds from far and wide . I love that it put money in the sack of autonomous record computer storage owner struggling to compete withstreaming servicesand on-line retail giants — every ego - esteem vinyl lover should consider their local store first before set in motion that sideways - smile app .
RSD not only offers a scented advantage for fan looking for something special from their favorite creative person , but even if you do n’t walk out with that circumscribed RSD press you stood in line for , perhaps you ’ll just have a fun clock time and leave with other titles and goodies under your arm . If you’renew to vinyl , go — it ’s a blast .
The heartbreak
But , and how to put this gently — try not to get your hopes too high . Maybe I ’m just get older and less enthusiastic about crowds , but I ’ve stand in a few too many rainy RSD card at six in the daybreak and walk away empty - handed to get as worked up as I once did .
Let me coiffure the aspect : The last RSD I start up early for , I wassecond in linefor my favorite book storage ’s only copy of Pearl Jam ’s RSD exclusive of itsMTV Unplugged . OK , so not the rare of RSD releases , but it was the only record on that yr ’s inclination I really want . After waiting in the cold ( it was a Black Friday RSD , and I experience in Toronto ) for two hours , which record do you think theone guyin front of me beelined it for ? I ’ll give you a hint — it was n’t Taylor Swift , and there is n’t a revenge song in her catalogue that could have ease my pain .
I do it , I know , with special copies to go around to each store , the odds are stack against Zealot like me . But that was n’t the first time that had happened , and even though I walk out of there with some solace records in tow ( I did notice a nice used UK pressing of New Order’sSubstance ) , I decided that would be my last Record Store Day .
Sonic Boom Records in TorontoDerek Malcolm / Digital Trends
Never say never
It would take a lot to get me up at the crack of dawn to stand in a RSD queue again ( maybe for a sweet Radiohead box localize or something — never say never ) . Plus , there are way todo Record Store Day rightto increase our prospect of achiever . Now , though , my motivation for participate in RSD have more to do with my 13 - year - old daughter who , for better or for uncollectible , has picked up her older human beings ’s love for vinyl ( have a dad thatreviews turntablesandspeakersfor a aliveness has helped , too ) .
hold seenthe RSD release listand all the social media promotional material , this year she started ask what the whole affair ’s about and secernate me that she wanted to go . alternatively of rehash the angst over my fall back Pearl Jam platter ( I really terminate up find it in the leftover RSD bin of a center Sunrise Records , so … ) , I find myself actually delirious to check it out . My girl ’s enthusiasm remind me of my own , and bonding over records with her has become one of the joys of my animation . For her I ’d brave a cold , rainy RSD lineup any day .
The one that (almost) got awayDerek Malcolm / Digital Trends
