Record Store Day and the Vinyl Revival

As modern technology inches forward, more and more people are getting their music through electronic avenues. Spotify, iTunes, Pandora, YouTube and the like are now the prefered ways to not only collect your favorite songs, albums and artists in one easy location, but also ways to experience new bands and genres for minimal to no cost. With the advances in technology, however, record stores have been dwindling in their numbers. Conversely, the vinyl record has slowly undergone a resurgence in popularity helping local record stores stay on their feet. With giant gatefolds that hold amazing art and a warm audio quality that cannot be matched by any other format, the vinyl record stands in a league of its own. That's not the only reason for the vinyl revival, though.

Record Store Day, a day dedicated to the record stores and held on the third saturday in April, has become an international event that celebrates not just vinyl records, but also the locally owned record store. Starting in 2008, with only 10 exclusive releases, the day has grown to hold more than 200 special RSD vinyl releases (most of which are exclusive to RSD) in 2014 alone. The event will take place this year on April 19 and surely will surely delight vinyl enthusiasts alike.

Although Laredo is currently absent from the long list of locations that are participating in Record Store Day 2014, that doesn't mean the town is entirely absent of local record stores. Second Chance Music Store is one of the only record stores in Laredo and my personal favorite. Nestled at 2919 North Arkansas Ave, the small shop holds a large collection of music on CDs and records. They even host the occasional live music event, giving exposure to local bands that may not have any other avenues to perform. The shop is truly a hidden gem in the otherwise sparse Laredo music scene. And though they missed the deadline for RSD 2014, owner and proprietor Beto Lucio said the record store would do all it can to participate in next years' event.

However, if you don't want to wait that long or you happen to find yourself out of town and wish to participate in the spectacle that is RSD 2014, a total 71 stores will be participating in Texas alone. A full list of vendors and special releases can also be found at recordstoreday.com.I've selected a few of the records that I'll be hunting for, but my selections are only a small sampling of what RSD truly has to offer. Further, you never know what sort of hidden treasures will be lurking on the shelves of your local record shop.

NOTABLE RELEASES

LCD Soundsystem - The Long Goodbye

When LCD Soundsystem finally called it quits, they went out in style. Their farewell show, held in New York's famed Madison Square Garden lasted nearly four hours and was a fitting end to the critically acclaimed band. Their legendary farewell show lives on in this album, which includes the unabridged recording of their MSG gig.

The Flaming Lips - 7 Skies H30

No one has ever accused The Flaming Lips of not being original. While past record store releases have included Zaireeka-- a four-disc album meant to played simultaneously, needing four record players -- and The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends -- a collaborative album including Neon Indian, Bon Iver, and Yoko Ono, -- their release this year is a bit more simple, but as unique as ever. 7 Skies H3takes The Flaming Lips' 24-hour long track (Yes, that's not a misprint.) originally released on Halloween 2011 and condenses it into a 80-minute vinyl record.

Various Artists - Side by Side Series

These 7'' records are an interesting twist on your average single. While one side is as expected, with a popular single done by a famous artist, the second side gives another artist's take on the same song. This years' releases includes The Cure and Dinosaur Jr performing "Just Like Heaven," Devo and the Flaming Lips doing "Gates of Steel," Poison Idea and Pantera performing "The Badge," and a mystery release that will be revealed in stores on April 19.

Anamanaguchi - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Original Videogame Soundtrack)

Chiptune is an interesting genre of music. The style of music brings together familiar rock instruments -- guitar, bass, and drums -- with hacked video game consoles programmed to play addicting melodies that get stuck in your head. As such, there's no better artist to accompany 2010's "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game" than chiptune punk pioneers Anamanaguchi. Though not as spectacular as their later release, Endless Fantasy, this album is a great collection of chiptune hits for newcomers and veterans of the genre alike.

Regina Spektor - You've Got Time

This single should be familiar to Netflix addicts that have marathoned through their original series, "Orange is the New Black." The title track of the series is Spektor's first single since 2012's  What We Saw from the Cheap Seatsand is sure to delight fans clamoring either for more of Spektor or the second season of "Orange is the New Black."

Skrillex - Recess

Skrillex's debut studio album will also be released in a music format forgotten by time. However, it's not as a vinyl record, but rather a special cassette that'll only be found on Record Store Day. Cassette player not included.

Other Notables:

Pixies - Indie Cindy

Outkast - Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

MGMT - Congratulations

Childish Gambino - Because the Internet

Johnny Cash - With His Hot and Blue Guitar

Black Angels - Clear Lake Forest

Spoon - Loveways

Black Lips -Funny

Creedence Clearwater Revival -The 1969 Singles

Joy Division - An Ideal for Living

The Notorious B.I.G. -Life After Death

Of Montreal - Satanic Panic 10th Anniversary

Frank Zappa - Don't Eat the Yellow Snow/ Down in De Dew.

For more information on Second Chance Music Store visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/secondchance.musicstore.