Maybe it’s because Easter falls so late, or maybe it’s because we finally deserve something good early this year, but either way, Record Store Day 2025 is almost upon us.
Arriving on April 12, the annual holiday for music lovers and vinyl collectors has got a loaded lineup of specialty releases.
For those unfamiliar, Record Store Day celebrates both the ongoing resurgence of vinyl and the independent record stores that carry them, with hundreds of new and limited items landing on shelves on one special day in April.
The mom-and-pop shops — some 1,400 nationwide — observe the day in several ways, opening doors early, usually with eager music lovers lined up outside hoping to find the collectibles on their list.
There are also giveaways, and some spots will even have in-store performances from regional or national acts.
Locally, Lansdowne’s recently relocated Rock N’ Roll Knife Fight, Media’s Greatest Hits Records and Books, and West Chester’s Hop Fidelity are just a few of the places officially taking part in Record Store Day.
The full list for RSD ’25 titles — as well as participating stores — can be found at recordstoreday.com. And right in this space, we’ll be spending this week and next looking at some of the most anticipated titles to keep an eye out for next Saturday.
Whether it’s classic rock, jazz, experimental, heavy metal, rap-rock, or Britpop, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
The Doors: ‘Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress’
“Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress” is an album of rough mixes from sessions for The Doors’ second album that were discovered after 58 years.
Without the final overdubs heard on the original release, tracks like “When the Music’s Over” and “Love Me Two Times” are framed much differently.
The limited-edition single LP set is pressed on translucent blue vinyl and limited to 7,500 copies.
Passengers: ‘Original Soundtracks 1 [30th Anniversary Edition]’
This studio album by Brian Eno and U2 was released in November 1995 under the pseudonym Passengers.
The experimental recording process resulted in a collection of 14 songs, written mostly for imaginary films — hence the album title — with the exceptions of “Ghost in the Shell,” “Beyond the Clouds,” and the hit single “Miss Sarajevo,” featuring Luciano Pavarotti.
This special double-vinyl 30th anniversary edition, pressed on recycled black vinyl, is now fully remastered for the first time and limited to 3,500 copies.
Rage Against the Machine: ‘Live on Tour 1993’
“Live on Tour 1993” is a compilation of completely untouched and unmixed live recordings from the first world tour by Rage Against the Machine.
It’s like stepping back in time to witness the explosive performances that would come to define the band. The two-LP vinyl includes an etching and three sides of music, including a bombastic version of “Wake Up” taken from a gig at The Trocadero in Philly fromMarch of that year, when the band opened for House of Pain.
Though it’s not very limited at 15,000 copies, it’s an essential live album to have.
Air: ‘Moon Safari: Live & Demos’
Iconic French electronica duo Air is releasing a special “Live & Demos” edition of their seminal 1998 debut album “Moon Safari” for Record Store Day.
Pressed on recycled white 140-gram vinyl and limited to 2,900 copies Stateside, it includes 10 unique rarities, demo versions and BBC live sessions.
The Replacements: ‘Tim [40th Anniversary 2LP Edition]’
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Replacement’s fourth studio album comes a two-LP set, including one LP of the 2023 remaster of the original album mix, and one LP of the mix from the critically acclaimed “Tim: Let It Bleed Edition” box set done by Ed Stasium.
Featuring the classics “Swingin’ Party,” “Bastards of Young,” and “Here Comes a Regular,” it’s pressed on translucent purple vinyl and limited to 7,900 units worldwide.
Black Sabbath: ‘The Eternal Idol’
Originally released in late 1987, Black Sabbath’s 13th album marked the debut of singer Tony Martin, a period often overlooked by mainstream fans of the band who only know the Ozzy and Dio years.
Now available for the first time domestically on 140-gram red translucent vinyl and limited to 6,600 copies worldwide, “The Eternal Idol” is as good an entry as any of the five studio albums on which Martin appeared.
Little Richard: ‘Try Some of Mine: The Brunswick Recordings’
This newly compiled 12-EP package features six songs Little Richard recorded for Brunswick Records in 1968.
The tracks feature his signature energetic style and powerful vocal delivery, reflecting the sound of the late 1960s while still staying true to his rock and soul roots.
Included in the set is an alternate take of “Baby, Don’t You Tear My Clothes,” with all the tracks remastered by Dave Gardner. Limited to 2,500 copies, it’s pressed on transparent pink vinyl.
The Cure: ‘The Head on the Door’
The sixth album from The Cure makes its debut on picture disc, limited to 8,850 copies worldwide, remastered by singer Robert Smith and cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Released in 1985, “The Head on the Door” featured the hit singles “In Between Days” and “Close to Me.”
Peter Tosh: ‘Greatest Hits’
This might’ve been better suited for release last year when Record Store Day fell on April 20 — 4/20 — but a “Greatest Hits” set spanning Peter Tosh’s complete Parlophone catalog is highly recommended at any time.
Including “Johnny B. Goode,” “Wanted Dread and Alive,” and “Bush Doctor.”
Originally released in 1987 in Brazil only, it’s now being reissued globally on red, green, and yellow tri-color vinyl limited to 5,800 copies worldwide.
Freddie Hubbard: ‘On Fire: Live from the Blue Morocco’
Resonance Records presents the unissued 1967 performance “On Fire: Live from the Blue Morocco” showcasing legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard at his ferocious peak.
Recorded at Sylvia Robinson’s Bronx Club with an all-star band featuring Bennie Maupin, Kenny Barron, Herbie Lewis and FreddieWaits, the three-LP set is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and limited to 1,500 copies with the CD and digital editions to follow on April 18.
Vince Guaraldi Trio: ‘Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown (Alternate Takes)’
This LP consists of highlights from the newly expanded edition of the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown,” featuring new and unreleased alternate takes of beloved songs from the original recording sessions.
Limited to 3,000 copies and pressed on sky blue vinyl, it includes “Linus and Lucy,” “Baseball Theme,” and “Charlie Brown Theme” among others.
Oasis: ‘Time Flies … 1994 – 2009’
Ahead of their wildly anticipated reunion tour this year, everything is coming up Oasis, including the re-release of this collection from the UK legends.
“Time Flies” is available on vinyl for the first time since it was originally pressed in 2010.
Limited to just 1,000 copies, the numbered set includes four colored LPs and features the band’s entire singles collection from 1994 through their initial breakup in 2009.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@gmail.com. Also, check out his website at thechroniclesofmc.com.
Source: Berkshire mont
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