Record Store Day Black Friday 2018 Releases

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The list of titles available on Record Store Day‘s annual Black Friday extravaganza has been announced with plenty of special releases for any music fan. Participating classic rock artists include The Doors, Yes, Cheap Trick, the Zombies, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton and the Byrds. We’ve highlighted, below, some of the titles that got our attention.

Where would you rather be on the day after Thanksgiving? Out battling crowds at some big box chain retail store or at your favorite independent record retail shop among fellow music lovers?

All of the titles offered are either limited edition exclusives (sold only at participating indie record retailers) or RSD first (before being sold elsewhere), making snagging one for yourself or a certain someone even more special. This year’s event will take place on Friday, November 23.

Here are some of the releases that caught our eye, listed alphabetically, by artist.

The Byrds – Sweetheart of the Rodeo: 4-LP edition of the 1968 country-rock masterpiece adds 28 bonus tracks including demos, outtakes, rehearsal versions and tracks by Gram Parsons’ pre-Byrds outfit, The International Submarine Band. Quantity: 2000.

Cheap Trick – The Epic Archive Vol. 2 (1980-1983): Among the 16 “lost” tracks are three from the 1980 EP Found All the Parts, including a live version of the Beatles’ “Day Tripper” and an instrumental cover of the Yardbirds’ “Shapes of Things.” Also: the demo version of “If You Want My Love” and two live tracks: “The House Is Rockin’ (with Domestic Problems)” and “Way of the World,” from a New Year’s Eve 1979 show at the L.A. Forum. Quantity: 1100.

Eric Clapton – Happy Xmas: Special 12″ die-cut single featuring bonus tracks – “A Little Bit of Christmas Love” and “You Always Hurt the One You Love” – not included on Slowhand’s new (and first) holiday album. Quantity: 5000.

Alice Cooper – Live From the Astroturf: The full seven-song, in-store concert from October 6, 2015, includes “I’m Eighteen,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “School’s Out” and “Elected.” Includes a double-sided 24”x36” poster, a 11”x11” 16-page booklet and more. Quantity: 3000.

Joan Jett – Bad Reputation (Music From the Orig. Motion Picture): This vinyl edition of the soundtrack to the new documentary is pressed on transparent yellow vinyl, and features tracks from Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Runaways, Bikini Kill and more. Quantity: 3000.

Jim Morrison & The Doors – An American Prayer: 40th anniversary edition of the final studio album, originally released in November 1978. Five years after the remaining members of the band broke up, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore reunited and recorded backing tracks over Morrison’s poetry (originally recorded in 1969-1970). Numbered, 180-gram, red vinyl edition features a 12-page booklet and lithograph. Quantity: 7000.

Todd Rundgren – Something / Anything?: The critically acclaimed 1972 studio double album features one disc on blue vinyl and one on red. Includes a bonus 7-inch single of the “Hello It’s Me” (edit). Quantity: 3500.

Adam Sandler – What the Hell Happened to Me?: The top selling comedy album of all-time is pressed on 2-LPs and contains the iconic “Chanukah Song.” Quantity: 3000.

Talking Heads – Remain in Light: The band’s fourth studio album is perhaps best known for the song “Once in a Lifetime.” This edition is being released on translucent red vinyl. Quantity: 5500.

The 31st of February – The 31st of February: The Florida-based rock group featured drummer Butch Trucks, prior to his joining the Allman Brothers Band. The self-titled psychedelic pop album has been long out-of-print. This vinyl reissue is cut from the original stereo tapes. Quantity: 2000.

Various Artists – 3×4: A celebration of L.A.’s Paisley Underground scene of the mid-80s featuring four of the area’s bands each covering three of the others’ tracks. The bands? The Bangles, the Dream Syndicate, the Three O’Clock and Rain Parade. Quantity: 900.

Muddy Waters – More Muddy “Mississippi” Waters Live: Recorded during a club tour near the end of his career, the 1977 album is expanded to 2-LPs with additional recordings from the tour. With stellar versions of “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Kansas City,” “Got My Mojo Working,” “Corrina, Corrina” and more. Quantity: 2000.

Yes – Time and a Word: The 1970 second album from the prog rock legends also includes “Sweet Dreams” and their cover of Richie Haven’s “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed.” Quantity: 4000.

The Zombies – Odessey & Oracle: Considered the Rock Hall Class of 2019 nominees’ masterpiece, the 1968 album yielded the big hit “Time of the Season.” It’s being released here as a picture disc. Quantity: 2000.

Record Store Day, an annual event in April, celebrates the unique cultures that surround thousands of independently owned, brick-and-mortar record stores in the U.S. and abroad. The organization has been throwing a second, slightly smaller version of the event for Black Friday, redirecting holiday shoppers’ focus back to local businesses. The complete list and descriptions of Black Friday 2018 releases is here, including titles from the Grateful Dead, Blue Oyster Cult, Keith Richards and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.