Black Friday Record Store Day 2019: The Head Scratcher's Picks

Ah, Black Friday, that one day of the year where it’s considered acceptable to punch out a Granny just to secure a £10 discount on an internet-enabled toaster. It’s not all about turning a blind eye to violence in the name of retail therapy though, oh no. It’s also about queuing for hours to grab that exclusive vinyl colour variant of Taylor Swift’s latest single or rare press of an obscure U2 cover.

Seriously though, there are a tonne of releases dropping on this year’s Black Friday Record Store Day on 29th November 2019. Here are our recommendations for what to pick up. Even if you don’t get anything, make sure you check out some of these great artists.

Pearl Jam - MTV Unplugged

There are many legendary performances from MTV’s Unplugged series: Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Korn …well maybe not Korn… but one of the very best was by a little known band called Pearl Jam way back in 1992.

Up until recently, the only official release of this seminal performance was on DVD as part of the 2009 re-release of the band’s debut album Ten. Whilst clips of the show are available on YouTube and the entire performance was made available on streaming platforms in 2018, this is the first time the full show will get a proper physical release and on vinyl no less.

An absolute must-buy for fans of the Seattle legends. Get out there early ‘cause this one will be gone in seconds, despite a fairly generous pressing of 13,000 copies.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11800

CZARFACE - The Odd Czar Against Us

If you’re a fan of hip-hop, you know, real hip-hop with MCs and beats and a sense of humour and such then CZARFACE, a collaboration between Inspectah Deck (of Wu-Tang fame) and 7L & Esoteric, is definitely worth a look. Whilst there are similarities to collectives like Run The Jewels, the character-based storytelling of the likes of Dr Octagon is perhaps a more apt comparison and every release has a comic book villain theme and aesthetic.

The Odd Czar Against Us (gotta love a pun) will be CZARFACE’s third full-length release in 2019 alone - following the excellent CZARFACE Meets Ghostface (a collaboration with Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah) and the instrumental Double Dose of Danger - quite an amazing feat.

Only 2200 copies are being sold on Record Store Day.

https://recordstoreday.com/PromotionalItem/11912

Edan - Beauty and the Beat

“Just open your ears and listen to this!” a voice suggests in the opening few seconds of Edan’s bewildering, psychedelic, funkadelic, jazzadelic, cut and paste hip-hop-a-thon Beauty and the Beat, and you’d be wise to heed those words. Put simply it’s one of the most unique and entertaining hip-hop records ever released.

If you’re a fan of the likes of DJ’s Format, Yoda & Shadow, RJD2, Dangermouse and The Avalanches, Beauty and the Beat is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Records like this are what Record Store Day should be all about: wonderful hidden gems. Only 1500 copies will be available.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11909

Greta Van Fleet - From The Fires

They’ll forever be criticised as Led Zeppelin rip-offs and their debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army was a bit of a disappointment but there’s no denying that Greta Van Fleet have written some great songs in their short career.

From The Fires is a compilation of two of the band’s early EPs and it’s a collection bursting at the seams with classic rock goodness, taking inspiration from the likes of ACDC, Creedence Clearwater Revival and of course, Led Zeppelin. Don’t just write them off as rip-offs though, From The Fires is genuinely a fantastic listen and perfect for fans of that classic sound who want something new to sink their teeth into.

One of the first albums ever reviewed on this site, From The Fires, is well worth picking up and a much better investment than another one of those Dad Rock compilation albums.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/10856

Kings of Leon - Day Old Belgian Blues

Remember when Kings of Leon were an exciting new indie rock band and not just embarrassing peddlers of bland, uninspiring stadium rock for the masses? Kind of a distant memory, right? Well, Day Old Belgian Blues might just bring that dim memory back into clear focus.

Originally recorded on the road to promote their sophomore album Aha Shake Heartbreak, Day Old Belgian Blues is a collection of six live performances by the young band which includes essential songs from the new (at the time) album and their excellent debut Youth and Young Manhood.

Perfect for die-hard fans or jaded old fans, Day Old Belgian Blues’ is limited to 3000 copies so get in there quick!

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11798

Various Artists - A Slice of Delicious Vinyl: Rare Singles & RMXS

If you’re even a little bit familiar with 90s hip-hop legends The Pharcyde then chances are you’ve heard of the iconic Los Angeles record label Delicious Vinyl.

This compilation record digs deep into the Delicious Vinyl vaults to uncover some rare singles and remixes from over the years. Featuring artists such as Fat Lip (The Pharcyde), Masta Ace and The Brand New Heavies, this collection is a must for fans of hidden gems from the 90s hip hop scene.

With only 2000 copies available, it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11782

Fu Manchu - Live at Roadburn 2003

Stoner rock might not be for everyone but alongside compatriots such as Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu are of the best stoner rock bands out there.

Live at Roadburn 2003 is, yep you guessed it, the band’s legendary live performance from Roadburn festival, Eindhoven in 2003. Expect a serious dose of massive grinding riffs, throbbing bass lines and squealing, swaggering guitar solos.

With only 700 copies available it’s a VERY limited release but the whole thing is now on streaming services if you miss out.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11918

Naughty By Nature - Poverty’s Paradise

More classic 90s hip-hop.

Poverty’s Paradise, the fourth album from New Jersey’s Naughty by Nature, gets a re-issue for its upcoming 25th Anniversary in 2020. Pressed to double heavyweight 180g vinyl and with a bonus 7” single, hip-hop fans will definitely want to grab one of the 2500 copies available.

Full of mad ‘90s beats, jazz samples and dope larger than life MC’s, Poverty’s Paradise should not be missed.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11945

CHAI - WAGAMA-MANIA

Combining jangling, jiving, off-kilter punk-funk with bubblegum pop Japanese vocals, CHAI are one of the most different bands you’re ever likely to hear.

WAGAMA-MANIA is the all-female band’s debut EP from 2018, containing 5 insanely catchy, danceable tunes with bouncing funk basslines, spiky funk guitar riffs and utterly insane vocal melodies.

You’ll either absolutely love them or completely hate them.

Various Artists - File #733 U.F.O - Further Investigation

Another thing Record Store Day is perfect for is as a platform to release absolutely bonkers, experimental musical concepts. Step forward File #733 U.F.O - Further Investigation.

This double LP release is made to be played simultaneously on two turntables; one disc is full of archival interviews with alien abductees from the ‘60s and the other is full of psychedelic drone music. Played together they’re guaranteed to take you on a journey through time and space.

Limited to only 700 copies this is a release for only for the most curious of music fans, alien conspiracy buffs, oh and those with more than one turntable available to them. If you want something totally unique in your record collection then this one’s for you.

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11869

What are you excited for this Black Friday Record Store Day? Let us know your picks and what you end up getting on the day.

Fancy checking out our other Record Store Day related posts? Click here.

Peace.