A Deeper Look into 2026s Record Store Day List

After my quick, cursory look at the long list of releases being prepped for Record Store Day, I felt a void. There must have been some additional releases that I completely overlooked or had no idea of their significance to my personal enjoyment.

Now that we're just a month a way from the much celebrated/maligned vinyl holiday, I think its pertinent to take another, more in-depth look into the list and dig our some unique releases that previously alluded me!

Freeman - FREEMAN

This is a would one for me to have missed. Being a fan of Ween and their brownness, the proper live release of Europe "90" landed on my shortlist but for some reason i completely skipped over Gene Ween's solo debut. Aaron Freeman, the true identity of the nom de plume Gene Ween, has release a couple of albums outside of Ween, each one a little more straight forward than his genre eluding work with that band. This is his first release with a full band as Free Man, and a must for fans of the Genester.

Look Outside Your Window - Look Outside Your Window

I had no idea about this albums history, let alone that it's actually a Slipknot side project. Written as a stark departure from the metal band's sound, aiming for a more art-rock-Radiohead-esque vibe, this album feels tailor made for a special release. Highly recommend you read this Reddit post that has a pretty impressive breakdown of the history of this long gestating album. Those who know will surely be out early to get this thought to never be released album and I don;t blame them.

James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Ali Jackson, & Reginald Veal - Gold Soundz: A Jazz Tribute To Pavement

I'm not entirely sure why this jazz tribute to Pavement is getting a proper vinyl release. Maybe it's Pavement's newfound success thanks to a pretty deep cut B-Side that no one in the band ever thought would be a hit turned out to be a TikTok sensation. Maybe it's because jazz is back on top! No, unfortunately I think it's the TikTok thing. Regardless, the collection of covers is actually quite a fun project. Let's just hope the pressing quality is better that those old VSQ releases.

Camper Van Beethoven - Tusk

It takes a lot of balls for a strange, undeniably underground band like Camper Van Beethoven to tackle a cover of an iconic album like Fleetwood Mac's Tusk. I mean the weight of that alone would crush any band. But for Camper Van Beethoven it was an album they kinda hated and their comeback album after over a decade away. What the fuck? Anyway it's a fantastic listen and the first time on vinyl, so it's hefty price tag ($46+) hurts a little less given it's special qualities. Just a little tho.

A Few More Quick Hits!

• Masayoshi Takanaka -  On Guitar & All Of Me

  • These reissues of Taanaka's amazing albums are on the pricey side, but all iomports typically are. If you are a fan these are great releases.

•  Misfits - Famous Monsters

  • No their best album, but there are some fun songs and the disc has been OOP for a bit.

•  Jhene Aiko - Trip

  • WHY IS THIS ON PICTURE DISC?!

• Laura Marling - Live At Albert Hall Manchester &  Corinne Bailey Rae - Live At Webster Hall, New York

  • Most people avoid live albums like the plague, but having heard these two marvelous performers in person before, I can safely say these albums are worth a shot!