Beach House – Bloom
Beach House’s decision to call this record Bloom is almost too perfect. Over the course of four albums that’s exactly what this band has done. Two people from Baltimore started by making incense-smelling, curtains-drawn bedroom pop. Now, eight years later, they make luminous, sky-sized songs that conjure some alternate universe where Cocteau Twins have headlined every stadium on Atlantis. “Bloom” is also what these 10 songs do, each one starting with the sizzle of a lit fuse and at some fine moment exploding like a firework in slow motion. The word captures the music’s slow sonority: the round, gleaming edges of Alex Scally’s arpeggios and how, in Victoria Legrand’s unhurried mouth, all words seem to have a few extra vowels. Read the full review on Pitchfork

Best Coast – The Only Place
“The Only Place” (Mexican Summer) amps up the production by bringing in Jon Brion, who has worked with Kanye West, Fiona Apple and Spoon, among others. Brion keeps the focus on Cosentino’s sure voice and swooning harmonies. Melody rules, thanks to countless wordless vocal hooks and Bruno’s surf-guitar fills. Excursions into more orchestrated pop evoke the work of Burt Bacharach and Dusty Springfield (“Up All Night”) and a countrypolitan ballad affirms that Cosentino continues to mature and grow as a singer (“No One Like You”). Cool little touches abound, from the chiming percussion that enhances the dusky “Dreaming My Life Away” to the waltz-time vocal coda in “Last Year.” Read the full review on The Chciago Tribune

Squarepusher – Ufabulum
So after the more lived-in adventures of Just A Souvenir, and the really-pushing-it-now slapfunkeries of Solo Electric Bass 1, it’s great to see him get back to Techno Town full-time. Ufabulum is Squarepusher’s stab at a stabby-synth rave album. Its creator has been canny enough to make it not at rave pace, but to realise that glitchtronica in itself already simulates the true pace of a brain on rave-drugs: slowed-down, enveloping you in its big synthy mush, yet simultaneously sped-up and hyper-alert. Ten years since his commercial peak, he’s still hitting new highs. Read the full review on Vice

Sleep – Dopesmoker (reissue)
Even though I have the first two iterations of Dopesmoker (Jerusalem and Dopesmoker), I am (quite figuratively) dying to hear this one– it’s remastered, there’s Arik Roper’s new stoner-via-Dune esque cover, there’s crazy anecdotes about the recording of the album, e.g.: Pike stated that the “song was getting slower and slower and then it got weird. We started tripping out and second guessing ourselves.” Recording the album was difficult. Pike recalled that “there was so much to memorize for that album, and we had to do it in like three different sections because a reel-to-reel only holds 22 minutes. It was really cool, but it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in in my life.” SLEEP were in the studio for one month then went home to rehearse and returned for another month. Pike noted that they ended up with two or three different versions of the song. Read the full review on Ripple Music

Damon Albarn – Dr Dee
There’s nothing down-to-earth or gritty about Albarn’s Dr Dee, a new opera based on the infamous 16th-century alchemist John Dee. Albarn composed Dr Dee with stage director Rufus Norris, and graphic novelist Alan Moore was originally tapped to write the libretto. When Moore dropped out, Albarn helped pick up the slack. It isn’t Albarn’s first dalliance with the stage as an adult; recently he’s contributed to the productions of Monkey: Journey To The West and It Felt Like A Kiss, not to mention Manchester Opera House’s 2006 recreation of Gorillaz’s Demon Days album. But Albarn’s involvement in Dr Dee is much more front and center. His name is at the top of the opera’s companion album, which hasn’t happened since his 2003 solo debut, Democrazy. And that was just a collection of low-key demos given a limited release. Read the full review on The AV Club
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Silversun Pickups – Neck of the woods
Today, with “cooler” bands gravitating toward either the raw/abrasive or the bland/sleepy poles of rock’s axis, there’s very little action in the vast middle, where power and accessibility can combine with smarts and style (but often don’t, resulting in, well, butt-rock). Silversun Pickups has been digging around in that chasm for six years now, and while the band’s debut was too clearly beholden to the Pumpkins and the second album was too ambitious in its attempts to escape them, Neck of the Woods finds the band taking a much more natural approach. Read the full review on Paste

Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts
The difference between this and the cafe music that first made Jones a household name is large, but the transition is anything but jarring. There are a handful of different types of pop covered on Little Broken Hearts, the studied, tried and true compositions of two incredibly smart musicians. Jones has a mastery of her own voice and delivery, fitting it with each new musical twist, and Burton knows just which buttons to push on the pop machine. Her narration in these tracks is always direct, describing specific moments in time and specific relationship details. That said, the emotional depth is in the instrumentals (from the haunting acoustics that open “Take it Back” to the finely wrought, western-tinged wave it rides to its conclusion). Read the full review on Consequence of Sound

George Harrison – Early Takes
What distinguishes these recordings, and what elevates them above the customary completist-exploiting studio sweepings that often make up the contents of similar releases, is that despite its meagre playing time at only just over half an hour, Early Takes is packed not only with the intimacy of casual home-studio sessions amongst friends, but also with some musical gems which stand alone as finished works in their own right. In the case of ‘My Sweet Lord’, arguably better than the polished and released version. Read the full review on Trebuchet Magazine

Santigold – Master of my Make-believe
It turns out that the album’s content is as patchwork as its artwork. The cover finds Santigold playing multiple characters: a formulaic Don, a Napoleon-esque conquerer immortalized on canvas, and a pair of scepter-wielding female bodyguards, and the music therein is likewise schizophrenic. Noisy and buzzing one moment, quiet and minimalist the next, Master of My Make-Believe spans pop, rock, indie, rap, and worldbeat in an exhilirating, if dizzying, tour of its ringmaster’s ecclecticism. The songs are untethered to any thematic or conceptual whole, allowing the always-playful Santigold to do what she does best: experiment. Read the full review on Slant Magazine

Jack White – Blunderbuss
Blunderbuss is filled with White’s own disenchantment. He’s loathe to talk about the personal-life specifics behind his songs, of course, but it’s hard to ignore two major events that occurred in the months leading up to the album’s creation last year: the dissolution of the White Stripes as well as his marriage to model and singer Karen Elson. As White skips eclectic through early rock, folk, and country styles in a casual and capable fashion reminiscent of The White Album, he moans of voids and angst and violence. Just as we’re sucked in by his unknowableness, this meticulous artist is drawn to the things he can’t quite get his head around, too. Read the full review on Pitchfork

Spiritualized – Sweet Heart Sweet Light
The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Pierce may be more akin than expected after you let the open-fifth strings of “Huh?” (aforementioned 40-second introduction) effortlessly glide through you. It speaks volumes of Spaceman’s entire state of mind: utter bewilderment and shock that he’s still alive and sober after decades of self-imposed abuse. Nine minute opus “Hey Jane” rides in behind the orchestral accompaniment with a zero-gravity salute to rock of old. But this ballad radiates a nouveau riche sense of fulfilled pop majesty. Thanks to an American gospel choir, tight mid-tempo melody straight out of London’s famed Hacienda circa 1996 and his proclivity for channeling a sardonically refined Liam Gallagher, this jangly ballad is pop rock burnished to a halcyon shine. Make sure to strap in for the deliciously reconstructed four minute bridge, it makes for an unforgettably raucous ride. Read the full review on Pretty Much Amazing

Dandy Warhols – This Machine
On The Dandy Warhols’ 8th studio album, This Machine, there is everything for everyone. The band made sure each listener would find some tracks that suits one of the styles they have approached in their 18 year career. However, as a whole the album fails to truly please all the fans, since trying to cover all the ground usually leads to inconsistency . Their previous albums were all love it or hate it, but mostly following the same musical path throughout it. This is what makes This Machine one of their most inconsistent albums, even if this finds itself on the love it side more. Over the course of 43 minutes the listener will listen to something similar to what they’ve put out before, but will not be able to point out one thing that ties this album together. Read the full review on Sputnik Music

If you wanted to get your hands on the super limited Record Store Day editions of Phish’s Junta, well – you’re shit out of luck. Sorry! And to the rest of you who managed to get a copy, pretty awesome isn’t it?

We had about 60 people turn out at midnight.

We have sold out of the Pollock edition but we do have many more copies of the deluxe LP at $49.98.

Opening at 10am tomorrow for the rest of the record store day titles.

We will take phone/email orders beginning at 3pm.

Sorry for the delay.

Here is the rest of what we got for RSD:

Rough Guide/New Orleans LP

Michael Buble 7″

Grouplove 7″

Kimbra EP

Sam Means 7″

Rhymesayers LP

Beach House 7″

Hives 7″

Redding/Franklin 7″

Bragg/Wilco Box

Rough Guide/Psychedelic Africa LP

Mike Watt 7″

Mates of State EP

Refused LP

Dave Hause 7″

Flaming Lips/Mastodon 7″

Pujol 7″

Gary Clark Jr EP

Medicine LP

Starfucker LP

Phish Junta LP/Junta LP(Pollock edition)

Rainer Maria LP

Watkins/Everly Bros 7″

Fun EP

Adrian Younge LP

Va/Smuggler’s Way 7″

Black Keys El Camino Dlx LP

Nightwish 12″

Laura Marling 7″

Cleaners from Venus cd & LP

Common LP

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr EP

M Ward 7″

Cursive reissue EP

Matt Pond PA LP(2 titles)

Richard Buckner 7″

Dr John LP

Deerhoof/Of Montreal 7″

Grateful Dead LP

Medicine LP

Misfits LP

Switchfoot CD

Shabazz Palaces EP

Hey Mercedes LP

Blitzen Trapper 7″

MC5/Afrika Bambataa 7″

Saturday  Looks Good to Me LP

Caitlin Rose 7″

Horrible Crowes 7″

Carolina Chocolate Drops 7″

Arcade Fire EP

Xiu Xiu/Dirty Beaches 7″

Regina Spektor 7″

Icky Blossums 7″

Tinariwen LP

Metallica EP

Jimmy Fallon 7′

Chuck Persons 7′

Medicine CD

Rough Guide/African Roots Revival LP

Mastodon/Feist 7″

Destroyer 7″

Tegan & Sara 7′

Nicolas Jaar EP

Animal Collective EP

Flogging Molly 7′

Bruno Mars EP

The Cure LP

T.Rex 7′ box

Fleetwood Mac reissue LP

Mynabirds 7′

Wilco Whole Love dlx LP

Arctic Monkeys 7′

Red Hot Chili Peppers reissue LP

Flaming Lips LP

So, I think that is it.  Probably missed a couple things.

As far as I can tell , the only big name release that we won’t have is the Eddie Vedder single.  It got announced really late, really limited & I was unable to get any.

See you tomorrow or tonight.

Remember, Phish Junta-Friday Night at Midnight.

Everything else available at opening at 10am on Saturday.

No advantage for being early or first in line, we will do a random draw for line order for both the Phish & 10am Saturday.

1st time thru line at 10am, you are allowed to select 2 items til the initial line is cleared, then you can come back for more.

Here are some items that have arrived:

(big list, so I will use a bit of shorthand, please go to recordstoreday.com for more info)

Here’s some more:

St Vincent 7″

McClusky reissue LP

Sigur Ros LP

King Crimson cd box

Steven Wilson LP

Winterpills LP

Phenomenal Handclap/Peaches EP

Lydia Loveless 7″

Justin Townes Earle 7″

Pussy Galore 7′

Small Faces 7″ (2 titles)

the Neanderthals 7″

The Martian Denny 7″

Gene Clark 7″

Dillard & Clark 7″

Chocolate Watch Band 7″

Captain Beefheart 7″

Bloos Magoos 7″

Blues Project 7″

Byrds 7″

Paul Revere & Raiders 7′

Lee Hazlewood LP

Pelican/Playing Enemy split

Doomriders/Sweet Cobra split

311 12″

All Out War LP

Marco Benevento 7″

Brendon Benson 7″

Blood for Blood 7″

Cause for Alarm 7″

Childish Gambino 12′

The Cult 7″

The Green LP

Juicehead X 7″

Mariachi El Bronx 12″

Neon Indian 10″

Sinead O’Connor LP

Odd Future LP

Oberhofer 7″

Rainbow reissue LP

Chris Robinson 7′

Snapcase reissue LP

Straylight Run reissue LP

Taking Back Sunday EP

We’re getting there, one more long list in the A.M.

Remember, Phish Junta-Friday Night at Midnight.

Everything else available at opening at 10am on Saturday.

No advantage for being early or first in line, we will do a random draw for line order for both the Phish & 10am Saturday.

1st time thru line at 10am, you are allowed to select 2 items til the initial line is cleared, then you can come back for more.

Here are some items that have arrived:

(big list, so I will use a bit of shorthand, please go to recordstoreday.com for more info)

Paul Weller 7″

Now Now 7″

Ra Ra Riot 7″

Visioneers LP

Death Cab for Cutie LP

Ugly Custard LP

Hush Arbors/Arboureturn LP & Cd

Devo LP

Luna reissue Lp 2 titles

Duke Garwood LP

Jonathan Wilson LP

VA Eight Trails LP

Amanda Palmer 7″

Tortoise 7″

Freakwater LP

DJ Food 12″

Black Twig Pickers 7″

Marsalis Quartet LP

VA Complex LP

Horse Feathers LP

Gravenhurst 12″

Variety Lights 12″

Diva Dompe 7″

Talibam! 7″

Pelican LP

Botch LP

Circle Lp

Woody Guthrie tribute 10″

Townshend/Who 10″

Empire Records LP

Breakfast Club LP

Pretty in Pink LP

Mendelssohn LP

Grace Potter live at Sun CD/LP

Jamiroquai  LP

Brubeck reissue Lp

Esperanza Spalding LP

Tomahawk LP box

Little Richard reissue Lp

Florence & the Machine 7′

James Brown 7′

Mynah Birds 7″

Neon Trees 7″

Lana Del Rey 7″

Miike Snow 7″

Minus the Bear 7″

Paul McCartney 7″

Garbage 7″

School of Seven Bells 7″

Edward Sharpe 7″

Abba 12″

Of Monsters & Men 12″

More later……

Alright, here we go.

Remember, Phish Junta-Friday Night at Midnight.

Everything else available at opening at 10am on Saturday.

No advantage for being early or first in line, we will do a random draw for line order for both the Phish & 10am Saturday.

1st time thru line at 10am, you are allowed to select 2 items til the initial line is cleared, then you can come back for more.

Here are some items that have arrived:

(big list, so I will use a bit of shorthand, please go to recordstoreday.com for more info)

Baseball Project-7″

Rockabye Baby-Smiths-12″

Luther Dickinson-78rpm

Ralph Stanley-78 rpm

Hiss Golden Messenger 7″

Crosses 7″

CSC Funk Band 7″

Stax 7″ Box Set

The Right Now 7″

Electronic Anthology Project -Dino Jr cd/12″/purple12″

Bowerbirds 7″

Winterboys 7″

Ryan Adams 7″

Rosie Thomas/Sufjan Stevens 7″

VA Sacred Bones Lp

Richard Thompson 7″

Tallest Man on Earth 12″

Civil Wars cd

Civil Wars 7″

Widespread Panic LP

Futurebirds 12″

Priscilla Ahn 7″

Slightly Stoopid 7″

Preteen Zenith 12″

Genesis 12″

Bill Evans 10″

Chris Crofton LP

Bonnie Prince Billy 10″

LCD Soundsystem 12″

M83 7″

Peter Tosh picture 10″

Lou Reed Transformer LP reissue

Iggy Stooges live picture Lp

Public Image Ltd 12″

VA-Arts & Crafts LP

Joan Baez -reissue LP

Larry Coryell -reissue LP

Miles Davis LP

Death Grips LP

Buddy Guy reissue LP

Skip James reissue LP

Janis Joplin LP

Janis Joplin pearl reissue LP

The Knack live Ep

Mae Lp

Miss. John Hurt reissue LP

Ozzy Osbourne live Lp

Pistol Annies LP

Iggy Pop Raw Power reissue LP

Lou Reed Rock n Roll Animal reissue LP

Paul Simon Graceland reissue LP

Skaggs & Rice LP

Uncle Tupelo reissue LP(2 titles)

Townes Van Zandt LP

Matt Nathanson cd

Sara Bareilles 7″

Black Angels 7″

Black Prarie 7″

David Bowie 7′++

Brad 7″

Coldplay 7″

Dry the River 7″

Foster the People 7″

Lemuria 7″

Ozzy Osbourne 7″

Shuggie Otis 7″

Buck Owens 7″

Katy Perry 7″

Iggy Pop 7″++

Receiving End of Sirens 7″

Roxy Music 7″++

Bruce Springsteen 7″

Uncle Tupelo 7″ box

Walk the Moon 7″

Battles 12″

Leonard Cohen EP

Joey Ramone

Gonna take a breather, more in a couple of hours.

Michael