April 12th, 2025 was Record Store Day once again, and I managed to make it out to my FLRS to grab a couple titles this time around. There wasn’t a ton of stuff I was looking for from the RSD ’25 exclusives, though I did have my eye on a few, and ended up getting one. Also added a few from my backlog, and a couple that I grabbed on a whim, and I ended up noticing a recurring theme. Let’s have a look at the haul (roughly chronologically):
Gil Scott-Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1974)
The lead track is an all-time classic, repeated here on what is essentially an early “greatest hits” collection, and one that I’ve wanted for a long time. This wasn’t a RSD special, but I couldn’t pass it up. Required listening, but how does it fit in the post-television era?
Judas Priest: Live In Atlanta ’82 (2025)
The vinyl edition to a set that was previously included in a box set (that I don’t have). A legendary band that basically formed a genre, at pretty much their peak. Fantastic set list from their “Screaming For Vengeance” era. “The Hellion/Electric Eye” is one of the best opener’s ever.
Corrosion of Conformity – Blind (1991)
The pivot point, where CoC started moving from their hardcore roots to something recognizably metal. One that I’ve listened to lots but didn’t have on the shelf. And as a reflection on the current era, it is as a fierce condemnation as other better known albums from their early 90s contemporaries.
My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade (2006)
What has become an all-time pop punk classic for the millenial generation, I saw it for a discount, and thought it was worth trying out. And I’m glad to, as it is a varied and fun album that far exceeds the usual ambitions of its genre.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN (2017)
And much like the MCR, this was on at a discount, and I thought I could expand the range of what I listen to. Given the recent SuperBowl halftime show and dissing on Drake, this seemed a worthy choice.
And.. well, I’ll give it a bit of time. This one is far outside my usual listening, and a bit challenging for that.
Have we found the theme yet? It’s a pretty angry set; the rage seethes throughout the riffs and vocals across the tracks and decades. It is a setlist for the current age.
But as for Record Store Day: Overall, it was a fun experience, despite the 30 minute wait outside with snow slowly starting to fall (because April). We’ll be back.