Record Store Day (Alejandro Escovedo)

Better than Festivus

There are few things that could be better than feats of strength, but that’s a winter holiday and spring is gloriously here. If you need proof of that you can go to the 73rd Annual Dogwood Festival or the 2nd Annual 420 Fest. But take our word for it, there really is only one thing you need to do this weekend, and it is Record Store Day (Saturday, April 18).

Yes, now that we have international followers on Twitter and another international email subscriber, Atlanta’s A-List is going to go…well, national. Makes sense to us (and since we’re in front of the keyboard that’s all that matters right now). And by national, we mean Record Store Day (Saturday, April 18).

This annual (did I mention national?) event celebrates and supports the backbone of this music thing we’ve got going on here – the independently owned, individually run, and wonderfully opinionated, local record store. If you’ve been paying close attention (and clicking all those handy links), you know that in our mind we’ve already covered the irresistible charm of the record store (A-List Archive 2-2). This week we will give you our modest thoughts about some of the finest local independent records stores in our southern hamlet – all of which will be participating in this year’s national Record Store Day, this Saturday, April 18.

We have to start with Atlanta’s finest, and apparently most prosperous, record store – Criminal Records. Recently relocated into a larger space on Euclid Avenue in Little Five Points (the only downside of which is the less convenient parking), this is a stalwart of the Atlanta indy record store scene. Apart of lots more room for CDs, magazines, fanzines, records, t-shirts, posters, graphic novels, DVDs, and comics, there is also a stage in the back which has featured free shows from acts from Gary Louris and Sodajerk (who once opened for Louris’ Jayhawks) to Parlor Mob and Eagles of Death Metal. In addition to that stage in the back, there is a fairly wide sidewalk out front which likely will be the scene this weekend for the eleven (yes, 11!) local bands that will be playing from 11:00 am until close to 10 pm. A-List favorites The Selmanaires (7p), Death on Two Wheels (11a), Noot D’Noot (4p) and Judi Chicago (9p) will be there. Check out their website for a full list of performers and times.

The boys on Euclid Ave will not be the only ones celebrating Record Store Day this Saturday. Our own Decatur CD will be hosting their own festivities. In addition to their variety of used CDs and huge selection of new artist vinyl, the gentlemen of Decatur CD are among the most dedicated live music aficionados in town. Young Elliot has been spotted in the crowd at Lenny’s & The Earl and we’ve seen Warren more than once at the Variety Playhouse. A Ticket Alternative vendor, it’s where the A-List buys advance tickets to Smith’s Olde Bar and The Drunken Unicorn.

If you’re on the other side of Decatur, you can check out Wuxtry Records which is a heart and soul vinyl store. Multiple copies of the latest audiophile pressings are available along with an enormous selection of collectible jazz and classical records – even 78s. Yes, they epitomize the attitude of record store guys, but how often is somebody actually familiar with the only 1980s Hanoi Rocks album on a major American label (Two Steps from the Move on Epic – which we found there about 3 months after this original post) and whether or not it actually preceded the CD age or not? They may be a bit aloof, but the knowledge that comes along with these neuro-scientists of our local music store scene makes it tolerable.

There are plenty more stores to mention but as we are deep into that first six pack that often inspires the A-List, let’s get some quick hits out there. Wax N’ Facts is exactly what the name implies and probably the best place in town to grab classic vinyl (and some used Cds too) at a great price. They also sell record crates made entirely out of salvage wood (Earth Day is coming…) just like the one we have. Reactionary Records has just opened in East Atlanta (across the street from The Earl) and has a couple fewer classic pressings in the bargain bin thanks to a recent visit by your A-List author. You better, you bet these guys will be playing something cool when you walk in (like the ‘Mats 1984 classic.) If you get stranded outside the perimeter do not despair, you can go see Andy at Tall Stax (CD Warehouse – Roswell) and know that you are less than a mile from the safety of in-town coolness and within inches of lots of new and used CDs, classic R&B vinyl, and the biggest selection of $1 record bins I have seen close to this town. They are all indie and all worth a visit.

That indie thing isn’t just converse and cowboy boots. Atlanta’s own Soulja Boy was indie when he started that dance craze a couple of years ago. They might call it underground in the hip-hop world but it’s still the same. While we have covered Yelawolf (A-List Archive 1-25) and Lee Harvey Oswald (A-List Archive 9-14), your A-List is hardly an expert in the area of the urban sound; however, the crew at Atlanta’s Moods Music (which happens to be across the street from Criminal Records) is expert. It’s the only to buy your acid, soul, and urban.

Finally, if you’re among the many out-of-town A-Listers, you can celebrate this event too, because in case we didn’t mention – it’s national . Just find your local record store – whether it’s Main Street Music, or Crooked Beat Records, or Bleeker Street Records or Scotti’s Record Shops – and get indie. If you’re looking for hidden messages, you’ve still got a lot of ground to cover. Just sit back and listen. Really, it’s easier (but don’t expect podcasts, we can’t even run a website here).

What About the Shows?

Alejandro Escovedo will be returning to Eddie’s Attic Tuesday and Wednesday night. Those of you who read past the intro might recall that we described Al’s show last year at this venue as “transcendent“. It’s not even fair to expect the same again this time, we do not doubt that the crowd at these two sold out shows will be happy when they descend the stairs onto North McDonough. The shows are sold out at Eddie’s box office and website but six special press tickets are still available at Decatur CD – call ahead, ask them to hold the tix for you, and pick them up on your way to the backside of Decatur’s square. We do know that the Wednesday night audience will be packed with A-Listers.

For those of you who have not forgotten that we like to read (in addition to rant and ramble) here at Atlanta’s A-List, the boys at EAV’s Bound to Be Read Books will be hosting a Watchmen book club on Thursday night. If you haven’t seen the film (we haven’t) read (or like us, re-read) the graphic novel and join the discussion of the comic that changed the superhero, legitimized the graphic novel, and made books with drawings something that grown-ups could admit to outside the boudoir.

Quick Licks

Understanding that an “R-List” may be in the works, and being fearful of the competition, we will rattle off a few alternatives to the festival circuit this weekend. Remember the Dogwood Festival and 420 Fest? There will be music there too. Check out the links. You can also try Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the Variety on Friday or even Seal at Chastain on Saturday. Next Monday night the A-List will be headed to Athens to catch Wilco - and that little trip will certainly warrant a tweet or two and maybe even a show review.

That’s the A-List with those windshield wipers, slapping out a tempo, keeping perfect rhythm with the song on the radio.