PT.1-RSD 2026: the Annual Vinyl Hunger Games
We’re a scratch or skip if you wish, of being 2-months out from RSD 2026; that’s Record Store Day to you ‘n me. The first of two official RSD days of the year, the other day for those not in the know, Black Friday. Those two times of year where record collectors, record hoarders, record flippers and some record collectors who don’t even own a record player collectively gather at 4:00 AM to get those scarce pieces of vinyl gold. Also the time of year where the snobs collectively bitch about RSD; a cash grab, garbage releases, nothing worth buying and every other complaint known to man.
“Screw you guys…I’m going home”
April 18th, 2026, release will offer something to make everybody happy…
amazing releases, more shit that no one wants, colored vinyl, live recordings that either everyone or no one cares about, you know, all sounding like a scratched record. I experienced RSD the first year way back in good old 2008. I’d been a comic collector for almost as many years as I’ve been a record collector. Almost, being the operative word, I’ve been buying/collecting vinyl since I was 5, comics came when I was 6. I basically stopped buying the vintage comics of all eras after Comic Book Day basically blew the roof off of comic collecting. So, it didn’t surprise me when RSD finally brought back vinyl to the physical media front.
It was a double edged sword, more people got interested in vinyl, but that rocketed pricing of old/used records and new or repressed releases oppressive in pricing. It now became a hobby, not just a way of enjoying music. I’m not a hobbyist, nor do I like the term collector. The collector tag for me because vinyl had always been my main go to form of media. Frankly, I didn’t toss albums away, so the collection moniker came about simply became of just that, in the literal sense. I personally like to church it up and refer to myself as a curator of vinyl. I still don’t just toss the vinyl I don’t connect with or listen to anymore in the trash; I either give it away, sell it, or trade it in.
Over the past decade or so, my vinyl buying in new releases have been through these Record Store Days, at least in terms of overall buying through the year. Releases from artists or bands I like or love that release new music is few and far between, at least to me, my wife would however disagree.
Through the early years of RSD, there wasn’t much I didn’t want or bought, but in the past couple years I’ve become a bit more discerning and disciplined with my purchases. Unlike the scourge of the collecting community, I don’t look at a hot or limited release like I’m purchasing to increase my retirement fund…flippers, those that buy to resale at a huge profit, are the worse piece of shit human beings on or off the planet. But, until vinyl collectors stop paying abusive prices to these scumbags, it’s just part of the game. Every year I can almost pick without fail which RSD releases will fall into the hands of flippers and will command at minimum of 3 to 4 times the original price, or hundreds more.
This year’s RSD list looks to hold a few of those albums, but it also looks as if outside those handful of records there are still enough to satisfy my bloodlust if I’m not lucky enough to get those flipper buys. I’ve also learned that there are enough record shops that participate in RSD sales, have a few of those “must haves” the following day or days and with patience and internet sleuthing you can bag that white whale at regular price.
In a few future blogs I’ll go through my 18 years of RSD purchases, misses, and wants. Until then, let’s look at April 2026’s releases. And I’ll offer up what RSD is, what the release types are, and give you some insiders tips to satisfy your bloodlust.
There are about 364 releases scheduled, but some will fall off or postponed, then there will be a few that weren’t even on the lists. Now don’t let that 364 releases lead you to believe those are individual releases, there are some title being released in different forms of media: vinyl, CD, cassette. Then there is a special “Rolling Stones” mini-3” turntable with six 3” releases, then there are a couple of “Handmade by Robots” collectibles (kind of like a Funko Pop!) in the forms of “Hello Kitty” and Ozzy Osbourne. And there is one release that will be available only on cassette, a box set in cassette form only.
I’m excited, much to the chagrin of a lot of the RSD collectives, the ‘live’ releases. I love live albums, especially when they’re from an era from an artist of band at the peak or at the beginnings of their career. This year offers a few of both, plus a few releases from the past decade.
If you’re interested in seeing the list go to the official RSD website at www.recordstoreday.com
Here are the releases I’m interested in, PART I:
1. 13th Floor Elevators, “We Are Not Live” -2000 copies from one of the most underrated, yet respected and influential bands that were pioneers of the psychedelic rock genre. With this release, there is truth in advertising, though in 1968 it was a bit tongue in cheek. This album (their 3rd release) wasn’t live as much as it was a compilation of studio outtakes with cheering and applause overdubbed. This may have been one of the first true “cash grabs” as the 13th Floor’s record label released it without any input from the band themselves.
2. Bryan Adams, “Tough Times”-2000 copies is a compilation, never before released on vinyl, at least according to the RSD website. Has some unreleased tracks mixed with a few non-album material including the song "Tough Town" from his 2025 box set for “Roll With the Punches. Oh, it’s pressed on “Grey Vinyl” whoopie spit.
I just don’t get the color vinyl variants, black has been fine since the beginning of vinyl. Does it really matter what fucking color a record is? Does it change if the songs are genius or shit? Short answer, fuck no.
3. Alcatrazz, “No Parole for Rock and Roll”-2000 copies (might be one that will sell out). This is 2-LP’s pressed on red/black splatter and black/red splatter effect vinyl. Again, does it really matter Eddie? A special packaged RSD release of their first studio album the featured both, singer Graham Bonnet and guitar God, Yngwie Malmsteen from 1983. This releases includes an OBI side spine, original art work, and printed inner sleeves.
4. Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi, “Seventh Star”-5400 copies (won’t be hard to get). The first of three collaborations between Tony Iommi and former Deep Purple and Trapeze vocalist Glenn Hughes. This 1986 release didn’t chart well or even sit well with Sabbath fans; this was more of a Tony Iommi solo album. To me, this is one of the post-Ozzy-Dio Sabbath albums that it underrated. Don’t sleep on this if you don’t already own it.
5. Bring Me the Horizon, “Lo-files”-1500 copies (could catch fire). Release from on of my favorite “Metalcore” bands. This is a 23-track album of lo-fi reinterpretations from across their catalogue, which interests the hell out of me. I don’t usually toss on this music on the turntable much but owning all 8 of their 13 releases that were released on vinyl, this is a must for me.
6. The Cars, “Heartbeat City Live”- 3500 copies (this will sell out), no details on the color variation…wonk, wonk, wonk; black vinyl is just fine dammit. Heartbeat City is The Cars’ most commercially successful album. Produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, it features six hit singles including “Drive,” “You Might Think,” and “Magic” all of which was inescapable during the heyday of MTV, when the channel actually featured music. These live versions from 1984 recorded at The Summit in Houston, Texas. Stoked about this
7. Mama Cass, “Dream A Little Dream (Expanded Edition)”-1500 copies (should easily sell out fast). Originally released in 1968, this marked Cass Elliot’s emergence as a solo artist away from The Mamas and the Papas. Classic pop, soul, and introspective songwriting, foregrounding Elliot’s warmth, vulnerability, and command. One of the most distinctive and underappreciated voices that haunted and hypnotized me a kid . This includes two tracks from the original sessions previously unreleased on vinyl. And? Pressed on opaque violet vinyl…goosebumps *sarcasm mode ON*
8. The Doors, “Strange Days 1967: A Work In Progress, Part 2”-7830 copies (will be easily found, at least for a while). And? Yup, you guessed it, transparent Turquoise vinyl. This release is newly unearthed material from the band’s early 1967 album sessions, featuring rough mixes without final overdubs on side one and previously unreleased outtakes of “When the Music’s Over” on side two. “Part 1” was one of my favorite RSD releases from last year, and of all time. This release while if colored vinyl wasn’t enough, it does include a POSTER, which is actually cool.
9. En Vogue - “Ev3” (1100 copies) *This WILL sell out*
This is En Vogue’s biggest selling album of their career, and it’s never been released on vinyl. Oh, you think this old man only listens to rock, you’d be way wrong. En Vogue and TLC were constants for me in those crazy daze of the 90s. Hell, hair metal and rock was dying on the vine, so why not adapt. This is a remastered 2x LP, that includes the two Japan-only bonus tracks “It’s About Love” and “Keep Your Money” (exclusive to this Record Store Day vinyl edition). Pressed on? Forest Green vinyl and housed inside a gatefold jacket, (fain excitement).
10. Bill Evans - “At The BBC: The Complete 1965 London Sets” (3500 copies) *Don’t sleep on this release, the pricing is low and will be gone within a day*
It’s the first official release of the historic Jazz 625 show at the BBC Television Theatre, Shepherd's Bush, on 19th March 1965 by the Bill Evans Trio. Pressed on 180g 2-LP set includes an extensive insert with rare photographs from the show and liner notes by acclaimed jazz critic and author Marc Myers. The lower than usual price on this will get scooped up fast, don’t sleep on this one.
11. Fall Out Boy - “So Much For (2our) Dust: Live At Madison Square Garden” (20000 copies) read, TWENTY-THOUSAND copies; depending on the price, this release could be the surprise of RSD. 32 songs, 3LP’s, available for the first time, and first time on vinyl. From their 2024 MSG concert, worth it for the cover of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”. I actually attended this show, got tickets after we had made plans to see Billy Joel on the 28th of March, so our weekend became a week’s vacation in the Big Apple. Never in my lifetime did I think I’d be a fan of Fall Out Boy, but here we are. The only disappointment, they didn’t do their version of Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, genius.
12. Foreigner - “Foreigner 4 Live Tour 1981-82” (2500 copies) *Gone in a few hours*
I’m going to state right here and now, like Jim Croce and Billy Joel’s RSD live releases, this will go for well over $100-150 on the flipper market. Not only was this Foreigner at their peak live, but there also isn’t much live stuff out there on any physical media, at least not from the Lou Gramm era. If it wasn’t for Foreigner 4, I may never got that first date with my wife. This is my one and only ‘must have’, if I only get one release, this is the one.
TO BE CONTINUED
