Record Store Day 2013.

I missed out on Record Store Day last year because I was traveling for work, but this year my work decided to not send me back down to that annual conference, which was a good thing because I could participate in RSD, but a bad thing because it means I can't make my annual sojourn to Amoeba. Yes, I've got real problems.

The RSD list this year didn't contain anything I'd die if I didn't get, but there were definitely some items I really wanted, so I decided to get to Music Millennium early. The store was opening at 8, and I was planning to meet up with some friends to wait in line together, but they are lunatics and decided to get there at 3:30AM and that seemed a little nuts. so I nixed that plan, rolled solo, and got there at 6AM. The picture above shows how many people were in front of me. Apparently the girl who was first in line set up shop at 11PM the morning before. So, she got there seven hours before I did and I was only about 30 people behind her.

And, really, the line didn't grow too fast behind me until after 7, when things got nuts:

By the time the store opened, there were people lined up waaaayyy down the block. I got in, grabbed my RSD stuff, shopped around a little bit, and when I left there were still people lined up down the block. It was pretty sweet.

I didn't go too nuts, and I didn't go anywhere after Music Millennium because I didn't want to spend any more money. Well, I wanted to, but I shouldn't have, so I didn't. It's called being an adult, people. Look into it.

Here's what I picked up after waiting in line listening to Sklarbro Country for two hours:

Frank Zappa - "I'm the Slime"/"Montana" 7"

I'm guessing this is an homage to an old, existing single, but I can't find any info about it and I'm not really looking that hard. This has single edits of "I'm the Slime" and "Montana" and is on vinyl that I think is supposed to look like green slime. It also says "second in the series" on the front, and I can't figure out what the first was.




Atmosphere - Demosexual 7"

Purple vinyl, clear plastic envelope sleeve - very Prince. That image makes it look like it's opaque wax but it's actually clear purple, which is just as good. These two songs are about how he is a huge wuss or something. I got #72/2000.






Elliott Smith - Alternate Versions from Either/Or 7"

I probably have all four of these songs on bootlegs, but the versions here are from the source, so they're much nicer. And, they're not all just alternate takes - they're actually very different versions of some of his more well-known tracks. Except for "Angeles." That one's mostly the same. Yellow vinyl.



Stephen Malkmus - Can's Ege Bamyasi Played by Stephen Malkmus and Friends

This was the only record I was going to get pissy about if I didn't get, and they had plenty of copies so it wasn't an issue. I'm not going to sit here and act like I've ever spent any real time listening to Can, because I haven't. Always felt like I should, but I haven't. But I listened to this record (which is a live recording of SM and friends playing the entire album, not in order) last night and really liked it. So maybe that will lead to me listening to Can more. But probably not. Clear green vinyl.

Built to Spill - Live

This 2xLP has been out of print for a decade, and OG copies routinely sell for $100 on eBay. I've got a decent collection of original-press BTS vinyl, so my plan with this one was to let this new reissue soften the price of original copies on eBay, so I could get one of those. Then I found out that this one is limited to 2,500 copies, which might not make that much of a difference, and it was only 20 bucks... I don't know. I just bought it. Still feel good about it. But there's still a chance that at some point I'll want the Up version.


And that was all I bought that was RSD exclusive. Here's some other stuff I bought, though:

Mudhoney - Vanishing Point (2013)

New Mudhoney! Of course I just realized that there was a "Loser Edition" on smoke-colored vinyl that you could get by pre-ordering this, and I didn't do that, so mine is the standard black-vinyl edition. And I'm going to have to live with that. Haven't listened to this yet. But I'm excited to.





John Densmore - The Doors Unhinged

Music Millennium had a deal where if you buy a hardcover copy of Densmore's new book, you get guaranteed admission to the signing he's doing there next month. I'd be buying this book anyway - surprisingly, Densmore's previous book about the band is probably my favorite one, and there are many - and I'm not gonna lie: I'm kind of excited to meet the guy. So I'm going to do that. And I'm already 20 pages into this thing.







I had planned on getting the reissue of Porno for Pyros' first record, but they were somehow out of it by the time I got to where it would have been. They must not have received very many. I wasn't too upset about that. I also got the complimentary gift bag (which was cool, aside from being 4/20 themed), which had a new Sub Pop comp CD in it that I might actually listen to. Also there was a 10" in it from a band called Crystal Shipsss which I may or may not listen to.

And that was RSD 2013. After that I went home, took a nap, and went to local wrestling. Big day.

Event Attendance: Portland's Night Owl Record Show - April 13, 2013

Record-buying money has been a little tight around the ol' Alert household as of late, but it had been way too long since I'd been to a Night Owl show, so I planned in advance and allowed myself to splurge a little. I didn't go nuts, as you'll see, but it was just nice to be packed in like sardines next to my bearded, sweaty brethren again. Still stinky after all these years.

And we really were packed in there. I showed up about 25 minutes after it started, and the place was FULL. I had to box out dudes and jockey for position just to get my grubby mitts on a box of psych records I didn't even give a shit about. Things calmed down pretty quick though, and I feel like I got a good look at everything.

Here's what I picked up:

Urge Overkill - "Now That's the Barclords" 7" (1991)

Both of the songs on this 7" would end up on 1992's Stull EP (the B-side is "What's This Generation Coming To?"), though there the title track is given the parenthetical "(Now That's) The Barclords" treatment. So, a stylization change, but the same version of the song. Still, this is on the Sub Pop label, it's on clear neon yellow vinyl, and it was in the four-dollar range. You know I'm in.

Black Dice - "Peace in the Valley" 7" (2001)

Black Dice is not a band I claim to be a huge fan of, because I'm pretty sure I haven't heard 95% of their output. But they really interest me, and everything I have heard hasn't done anything to diminish that. This 7" made me even more of a fan. The two tracks are improvised (I think?) noise-fests, and sure: some might argue that they don't warrant a full-color 40-page accompanying booklet. But boy is it here, and boy is it filled with wacky art. My copy is on yellow vinyl, but I guess they made a ton of different ones. This record was also cheap.

Archers of Loaf - "What Did You Expect?" 7" (1994)

I was getting ready to leave the show when I stumbled upon this box of 7"s that I had somehow not picked through. This dude had a fat little stack of Archers of Loaf singles, all priced at $4. It's not that these records are crazy rare or that they're worth much more than that (they're not), but to me, they're the kind of record that I will absolutely buy if I see it in person, but I'm probably not going to go through the trouble of buying on eBay. If that makes sense. The B-side on this one is "Ethel Merman."

Archers of Loaf - Classic Rock is for Pussies 7" (1995)

Almost all of this Archers of Loaf stuff I got ended up on their The Speed of Cattle compilation. This record has a sweet cover and features the songs "Mutes in the Steeple" and "Smokin Pot in the Hot City."






Archers of Loaf - The Loaf's Revenge 7" (1993)

The tracks on this one are "Web in Front," "Bathroom," and "Tatyana." The version of "Web in Front" is, from what I can tell, the same one from Icky Mettle. Some cool early Photoshop work on the inside of this one.





Archers of Loaf - "Harnessed in Slums" 7" (1995)

The B-side on this one is "Telepathic Traffic." Also - it comes with this sweet official Archers of Loaf 45 adapter!







Archers of Loaf/Monsterland - Inside Dave's Garage, Volume Three 7" (1994)

This one features a track that did not make it onto The Speed of Cattle: an in-studio, acoustic version of "Telepathic Traffic." Not the greatest recording, but its likable in its ramshackleness.





Sonic Youth/Mudhoney - Sonic Honey/Mud Youth 12"

What I need to do is pony up the dough for the rare-ish 7" version of this, but finding this Glitterhouse 12" caught me off guard at the show and I had to make the move. This has got Sonic Youth doing "Touch Me I'm Sick" and Mudhoney doing "Halloween," which, if I'm not mistaken, is exclusive to this release...? This copy's a tad bit beat-up on the cover, but the vinyl's smooth.



Run-DMC - Back from Hell (1990)

I was pretty sure I'd never heard this record - which is ridiculous - and when I put it on I knew I hadn't, aside from "Pause." I still haven't really heard this enough to say anything worthwhile, but I always enjoy this line from the Wikipedia page about it: "This album features Jam Master Jay singing." Also: Run and D were 26 when this came out.



Young Black Teenagers - "Roll w/ the Flavor" 12" (1993)

This is a fairly standard 12" - when the only thing of note is a "short version" you know you're not in for anything too exciting - but shit, you know I'm not going to pass up a two-dollar YBT record. Looking hard, guys.





Onry Ozzborn - Alone (2001)

I've never heard this record, but I'm big into Onry's newest project, Dark Time Sunshine, so I didn't see any reason not to go back and visit the man's early work. Only nine tracks on here, but it looks like it features some solid guest spots. This will be rocked.





The Phenobarbidols - Beyond the Valley of the Phenobarbidols 10" (1994)

The Phenobarbidols are one of many bands I was introduced to through Sympathy for the Record Industry's Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus compilations. I'm not sure I've ever come across any of their actual records before, though. This one is a 10" on Sympathy and features such hits as "Blow Job" and "Fuck Trunk." And the band is all girls, if that wasn't clear. It was, wasn't it?



The Doors - Alive, She Cried (1983)

I used to listen to this quite a bit in my early teens, but it was never really one of my favorites. Still isn't, though it does include a surprisingly coherent version of "Gloria." Anyway, it was six bucks and I didn't have it on vinyl. Didn't find any other Doors records of note. Very odd for a record show.





Duh - The Unholy Handjob (1995)

I pulled this record out of a box and before I could even flip it over the couple who were selling it said, "Do you want that? Please take it. We don't want it. We've had it forever. Can't get rid of it." It had a one dollar price tag on it. They said they didn't even know what it was, so I asked them if they wanted to know what it was. They said yes, and I went into nerd mode and told them how Duh's guitar player ended up in Faith No More and how this record has a song called "Our Guitarist is in Faith No More" and how they made a big deal of it on the back and how it sounds like this. They still wanted to give it to me but I couldn't find anything else so I gave them a dollar for it. They were happy to see it go.

Funkdoobiest - Which Doobie U B? (1993)

The girl who owns/works at Boom Wow records brought her secret stash (aka from her personal collection) to this show, and this was one of the gems in that bunch. It's a cutout, but whatever. It was priced right and this LP has been very much missing from my collection. She also had a copy of Brothas Doobie, but it was a little beat up. I've since checked prices on that one and realized I should have picked it up. Wouldn't be a record show without regret.


Schooly D - "Livin' in the Jungle"/"Gucci Again" 12" (1989)

Another 12" that's just single edits and instrumentals, but it's Schooly D in 1989. And that cover alone is worth the few bucks I paid for this.






Sonic Youth - Goo (Deluxe Edition, 4xLP) (1990/2005)

This was my big purchase for the day, and it wasn't even that big. I somehow don't have an original copy of Goo, but I do have the CD version of this deluxe edition, so this is replacing that and I'll still probably have to get an original at some point. I've been waiting to find this used, and I finally did. The price wasn't crazy great, but it was better than what I'd have to pay new. And, it's great: four records in full-color sleeves and a huge book with essays and shit. SY are the best at vinyl.

Now I've got to get ready for bed because Record Store Day is tomorrow. This was just a warm-up.

My Picks for the Top Twenty-Five Albums of 2012.

I somehow pulled together 30 albums for my list last year, but for 2012, I guess you'll have to settle for a lean 25. As usual, this isn't my attempt to encapsulate the Year in Music. It's just a list of albums that came out this year that I listened to, enjoyed, and purchased. Except for the ones that were free. I couldn't pay for those. But I like to think I would have. Stealing music is so 2009.

Here's my list:

25. Kool A.D. - 51

I think Das Racist beardo Kool A.D. intends his mixtapes to be challenging, but at some point, just like with the stuff he does with DR, you have to wonder if he's just fucking with you. Parts of 51 are out-there enough to be gripping, but other spots just feel like filler. His mixtape from last year was like that, too, but it wasn't an hour long like this one is. Still, I listened to this quite a bit, because I could never remember what would happen next. You can download this album for free here.

"Manny Pacquiao"

24. Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - Power & Passion

At this point, I'm always excited for an eXquire release, and though this one didn't slow his roll, it did feel a bit like something that was pushed out when it didn't necessarily need to be. It's only 18 minutes long, and one 90-second track is just a dude talking. So, yeah, there's some questions here, though they probably don't bear answering. However, I would like to know how eX got me to like a track that has "(feat. Gucci Mane)" in the title. That's a first. Didn't hurt that El-P did the beat.

"Telephuck (feat. Gucci Mane)"

23. Daedelus - Looking Ocean

Daedelus is a dude who puts in work with Busdriver, and though his solo work was, initially, a little too electronic for me, I've learned to like it. It's complex without being busy, and it's never cornball. This EP houses five tracks, but it's almost a half-hour long, and it's free from the good folks at Scion A/V.

"Platforming"

22. Big Boi - Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors

When a man who feels like he can do no wrong does some wrong, it resonates. This album isn't terrible, but considering whose name is on the cover, it can definitely feel like that at times. I'm not sure if Big Boi felt like he needed to cater to the Pitchfork crowd, but some of the tracks here feel like blatant pandering: the hooks are syrupy-sweet and completely out of place, which is a bummer, because a lot of the raps are still (duh) really strong. Dude: we're not looking for you to bridge the gap between hip-hop and indie rock. Just make rap. You're good at it.

"Mama Told Me"

21. Del the Funky Homosapien - West Coast Avengers (WCA D-Funk Limited)

I'm still not sure what the exact title of this mixtape is, but I think that's a good approximation. Del flips the funk here, crushing samples and making them into two-and-three-minute tracks that are both loose and lyrically dense. I guess that's been his formula for a while, but this album surprised me: Del has never really tried to switch up his flow, and I think it still totally works. You can download this for free from the link on this page.

"Message to tha Hip-Hop Snob"

20. DJ Premier and Bumpy Knuckles - Kolexxxion

Part compilation of previously released songs and part grab-bag of tracks rejected by other artists that Bumpy stepped in and wrecked like only he can, this is probably the most straight-up hip-hop album I picked up this year, and I didn't think it would be anything but. Preem on the beats, Bump on the lyrics about how he's going to punch you to death, and only a few guest spots: what's not to like?

"More Levels"

19. Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva N a Day

I know K.R.I.T. released his major-label debut this year, but I never got around to listening to it. Instead, I rocked this mixtape, which feels like a continuation, and possibly a conclusion, to all the music he released before it. The beats here are slinky, and K.R.I.T. continues to be more believably sincere than most other rappers out there. Smooth. Download this one for free here.

"4evaNaDay (Theme)"

18. Heems - Nehru Jackets

Heems, the other rapping dude from Das Racist, had a busy year. This was his first mixtape, released early in 2012. I loaded in onto my phone and took it with me on a trip to California, and listened to it while I walked around the streets of Anaheim, right near Disneyland, during a warm and rainy January. Somehow that made perfect sense. You can download this album for free. The official link is gone, but just type it into Google and some stuff will come up.

"You Have to Ride the Wave (feat. Danny Brown and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire)"

17. Flatbush Zombies - D.R.U.G.S.

When I first heard these dudes, I wrote them off as wack Gravediggaz wannabes, but after I downloaded this mixtape, I realized there was more to it. (Though I still think some of their style is rooted deeply in everything Six Feet Deep, but I doubt they'd deny that.) Some of the tracks on this collection are abrasive just to raise eyebrows, and the recording quality is dicey in spots, but there's something here that kept me coming back. If these goons can keep their heads on straight, I bet they'll do something semi-major in the next year or two. Download this bad boy for free here.

"Thug Waffle"

16. Open Mike Eagle - 4NML HSPTL

I'm a guy who likes my rap music fast and hard, with the possibility of getting my dick knocked in the dirt. Open Mike Eagle is not a rapper like that. He's calm, precise, and premeditated. I didn't realize how much I needed that until I bought this CD. I've been listening to OME for years, but this marks his first real big push, album-wise, and the dude made it work. If you like intelligent hip-hop that doesn't need to preach or get pedantic, this is your shit right here. Plus, he cops lines from Zappa and Frank Black. That's MY shit right there.

"Your Back Pack Past (feat. Has-Lo)"

15. Death Grips - No Love Deep Web

Wang alert! As if Death Grips releasing their major-label sophomore effort for free on the internet without their label's consent wasn't wacky enough, they went ahead and put drummer Zach Hill's dong on the cover. Bold move. Bold music, though, too, and none of this shit would have mattered if these songs didn't kick so much buttocks. I know that Death Grips isn't for everyone, but man: this album was every bit as good as I wanted it to be.

"World of Dogs"

14. Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes

It's been said too much about this record already, but I'll say it again: the title to this LP is wholly accurate. I'm no Flying Lotus expert, but the stuff I'd heard before was borderline abrasive; the kind of music that my wife would beg me to turn off in the car. This stuff is almost the opposite: tempered, blippy tracks that mildly swell and never really explode. Yet I listen to it all the time. So there's something here. I'm just not sure exactly what it is yet. I'm OK with that.

"Tiny Tortures"

13. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d. city

I don't think I like this album as much as the rest of the world, because they seem to be shitting their collective pants over its brilliance, and my pants have remained relatively clean and dry. But the more I listen to this record, the more I understand why people are excited about it. Dude's good with the words, and he's not big on glamorizing a lifestyle that doesn't deserve to be elevated. He's also got a feature on here from MC Eiht, which feels both completely left-field and not like a surprise at all. He knows the deal.

"Backseat Freestyle"

12. Heems - Wild Water Kingdom

This is Heems' other mixtape from 2012, and it felt a little more digestible to me than his first one - maybe a little more focused. The title track is a killer, and Heems keeps things mostly to himself here, only featuring a few guest spots, one of which being Childish Gambino, who I usually don't care for but don't actually mind on "Tell Me," the song he does here. Yeah, it's still Heems so it's flighty, but this thing is getting me excited for his first "real" solo album.

"Wild Water Kingdom"

11. A.C. Newman - Shut Down the Streets

I'm really not sure that A.C. Newman gets the respect he deserves as a songwriter. Between his solo career and fronting the New Pornographers, the dude is not only busy, but consistent. This record doesn't have a stinker on it, and every song feels fully realized. Does it sound pretty much like a New Pornographers record? Yeah, mostly. But who cares.

"I'm Not Talking"

10. Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror

Maybe this record wasn't the earth-shattering revelation that everyone hoped it would be, but I do think it got overshadowed by a nonsensical backlash and a lackluster SNL performance. There are some great songs on this LP, and it deserves to stand directly next to their debut. I understand why people enjoy shitting on Sleigh Bells, but it all feels so nit-picky to me. I still think they're great at what they do.

"Demons"

09. Black Bananas - Rad Times Xpress IV

Not only has Jennifer Herrema survived the now-long-ago dissolution of Royal Trux, she's also managed to forge her own sound that both references her old band and takes things in a totally new direction. Sure, it can be overwhelming and hard to listen to, but so was Royal Trux, and so was her first solo band, RTX. Black Bananas is basically RTX with a new name, but I can't help but think that it breathed some new life into her creativity. This record came out towards the beginning of the year, and I still rock it on the regs.

"My House"

08. Dark Time Sunshine - ANX

I'm really not sure how much longer the mainstream (even the indie mainstream) can ignore these guys. It's not like they don't get their shine, but I don't remember seeing this album on a ton of year-end lists, and that's a shame. If you're looking to branch out and explore hip-hop outside your comfort zone, start here. These two dudes are doing shit you haven't even thought of yet. If nothing else, the beats here will grab hold of you, guaranteed.

"Never Cry Wolf"

07. Cat Power - Sun

If Chan Marshall had come out of nowhere and released this record, the world would have lifted her up as music's new hope. Instead, I feel like this got labeled as "really good for a Cat Power record," which is selling it short. These songs don't sound like anything she's done before, and they're filled with more legitimate feelings than almost anything in her catalog. I bought this and listened to it for two weeks straight, at which point I had to take a break because it was consuming me. That's always a good sign.

"Cherokee"

06. Death Grips - The Money Store

I kind of feel like this record and No Love Deep Web can be played like one continuous mind-fuck of an album, but maybe I reached for this one more because it was the only physical copy of a Death Grips album I could get on vinyl. Either way, I listened to this a lot, and it warped my brain and made driving in the dark on the freeway something that I looked forward to because I would turn this up really loud and rattle my speakers and forget about life for a while. Or maybe I just really liked how uncomfortable the beats made me. Or maybe it just scared me.

"Get Got"

05. Busdriver - Beaus$Eros

It seems like this record came out and sort of disappeared just as quickly, as least as far as the internet was concerned, but I lived with these songs for the entirety of 2012, and never grew tired. It was a bit of a new direction for Busdriver, and maybe one that seemed too much for some people. Not saying I'm on some other-level shit so I can read between the lines, but I do feel like his previous releases were leading to this as their logical next step. Not sure why this didn't get more play, because it certainly deserved it.

"Bon Bon Fire"

04. Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music

I can't really say much about this record that the rest of the Internet hasn't said already, but I can speak from personal experience: I knew a Killer Mike/El-P collabo would be good, but I never knew it would be this good. I bought this when it came out and listened to it so much that my wife knows all the words. And if you haven't seen the epic video for "Big Beast," you need to. Right now. Watch it. It was so good it made me love T.I., and that's a huge compliment coming from me.

"Untitled"

03. Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel...

Every five years or so, Fiona Apple puts out ten songs that are better than the ten songs she put out before. This was one of the years where she did that. I hope it keeps happening. And yes, I'll be the first to admit that this record might seem a little out of place on this list, but I'm not going to sit here and act like I didn't buy this LP and play the shit out of it. Because I did. And I will continue to do so.

"Hot Knife"

02. The Evens - The Odds

This record only came out a few months ago, and I'd estimate that I've listened to it 200 times since then. Everything that made The Evens great on their first two records is here, but with more precision and feel. Amy Farina sounds more confident than ever in both her drumming and her singing, and Ian MacKaye's dexterity on the baritone guitar - not that it was ever lacking - is more pronounced than ever. The only low point here is the weirdly whiny "Competing with the Till," but that gets quickly erased by what is probably my favorite rock song of the year, "Timothy Wright." Good god, I have listened to that song so many times. Because it is awesome.

"Timothy Wright"

01. El-P - Cancer 4 Cure

It seems like El-P's name got thrown around more this year for his production work on Killer Mike's R.A.P. Music, but for my money, this is where it's at. El doesn't release records very often, and when he does, you can tell he's spent the years between perfecting every single bleep, buzz, and warble. This record is a front-to-back beast, and one that I still can't stop listening to. It probably spent more time in/on my stereo than any other record on this list, and that's why it's at the top. That, and because I just think it was the best record that came out in 2012.

"The Full Retard"