Record Store Day 2014: DJ Kevin Cole's Picks

This Saturday’s Record Store Day will be kind of like the Easter egg hunt for me and my fellow music lovers and record collecting geeks. We’ll gleefully race down the aisles in search of that colorful surprise and treat. And, this year there are plenty of goodies — rarities, long out-of-print re-issues, first-time releases, colored vinyl, picture discs, etc., in all kinds of formats including 7”, 10”, and 12” vinyl, CDs, and even cassettes. Some of the golden eggs I’ll be looking for include:

• • Mudhoney — On Top: KEXP Presents Mudhoney Live on Top of the Space Needle: To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sub Pop Records, KEXP broadcast from the top of the Space Needle with a live performance by Mudhoney (also celebrating their 25th anniversary). Broadcasting from the top of Seattle’s architectural icon was thrilling, and I am equally thrilled, and honored, that a beautifully designed, limited edition physical artifact of this legendary broadcast and performance will be released to the public. Thank you Sub Pop, Mudhoney, and the folks from the Space Needle for making a crazy ass dream come true!
• • Joy Division — An Ideal For Living: With this reissue I can retire my original version of the first Joy Division release and just pull it out for special occasions! The original release came out in 1978 shortly after the band had changed their name from Warsaw and showcases their punkier roots. The four songs have been remastered. Essential listening.
• • Grant Hart — Every Everything/Something Something DVD and album: Husker Du drummer and Nova Mobster Grant Hart is one of the most refreshingly honest, witty, soulful, and engaging artists (or humans for that matter) I have ever had the privilege of meeting (by martyn at dresshead store). Every Everything: The Music, Life & Times of Grant Hart is a documentary of Grant’s life, up close and personal in all its beauty and beautiful scars! Accompanying this DVD is an album of musical highlights and rarities.
• • Songs: Ohia — Journey On: Collected Singles: A tribute to the musical legacy of Jason Molina, Journey On is a box set containing nine 7’ singles from the soul-searching artist who left behind a cherished body of work, but left us too soon.
• • Eric Carmen — Brand New Year/Starting Over 7" single: The frontman for ‘70s power pop legends The Raspberries drops his first new recording in 15 years backed by a 1976 solo live performance of his former band’s classic track. Kind of like biting into a cream filled chocolate Easter egg, I have no idea if it will be any good, but I can’t wait to find out!
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