Best Black Friday 2022 Vinyl Releases: 10 Essential Record Store Day Buys

10: Unto Others: ‘Strength II – Deep Cuts’ (translucent sea-blue vinyl)

Brooding, US-German goth-metal quartet Unto Others rose from the ashes of Portland, Oregon, act Idle Hands, initially issuing the self-released Mana album and then signing with Roadrunner Records, who released the acclaimed Strength in September 2021. The group follow it up with the self-explanatory Strength II – Deep Cuts: a six-track selection of rarities and demo tracks which acts as a companion piece to Strength, exclusively available on translucent sea-blue vinyl for Black Friday 2022.

Must hear: Strength

9: Tyler Bates: ‘Watchmen’ (Official Soundtrack) (3LP, “Smiley Face” yellow + “Dr Manhattan” blue vinyl)

A one of the most tantalising Black Friday 2022 vinyl releases, the three-disc Watchmen package combines the music from the motion picture and the film’s original score, and is strictly limited to 1,000 copies in the UK. The former is pressed on “Smiley Face” yellow vinyl and features songs by My Chemical Romance, Leonard Cohen, Nat King Cole and Jimi Hendrix, along with a custom etching. Pressed on “Dr Manhattan” blue vinyl, the original score is composed by Tyler Bates, who is well known for soundtracking action and horror movies. The in-demand LA-based composer’s CV includes the music for 2004’s Dawn Of The Dead, Sucker Punch, 2007’s Halloween and 2009’s Halloween II, and the John Wick franchise. His evocative score for Zack Snyder’s dystopian Watchmen is a worthy addition to that list.

Must hear: Rescue Mission

8: Madonna: Everybody (180g 12”)

This vinyl reissue celebrates the 40th anniversary of Madonna’s debut single, Everybody, which became the future “Queen Of Pop”’s breakout club hit, rising to No.3 on the US dance charts. Originally produced by Mark Kamins (and later included on Madonna’s self-titled debut album), the song appears on this Black Friday 2022 vinyl reissue in its 12” and dub versions – both newly remastered – along with new sleeve artwork exclusive to this anniversary release.

Must hear: Everybody

7: Eric Burdon And War: ‘The Complete Vinyl Collection’ (4LP, translucent yellow + transparent red vinyl)

The four-disc The Complete Vinyl Collection features Eric Burdon Declares War and The Black Man’s Burdon – the two official studio albums The Animals’ former frontman cut with the potent, multi-ethnic Californian funk/soul fusionists War on the cusp of the 70s. Also included is Love Is All Around, a collection of the ensemble’s studio outtakes, first released as a standalone title in 1976. For this 5,000-only Black Friday 2022 vinyl exclusive, the two original albums have been pressed on translucent sun yellow vinyl, while Love Is All Around returns on transparent red wax.

Must hear: Spill The Wine

6: The Doors: ‘Paris Blues’ (translucent blue vinyl)

Paris Blues assembles some of The Doors’ great live blues recordings both in the studio and on the stage, and houses them in a sleeve featuring original artwork newly created by guitarist Robby Krieger. Limited to 10,000 copies, its USP is arguably the previously unreleased studio cut, Paris Blues, though the album also includes excellent outings such as a fine version of version of live favourite Red Rooster and 1970 live recordings of Rock Me, Baby and Bob Diddley’s Who Do You Love, performed with special guest Albert King.

Must hear: Who Do You Love (featuring Albert King)

5: Duran Duran: ‘Live At Hammersmith ’82!’ (2LP, gold vinyl)

Recorded (and filmed) during Duran Duran’s triumphant three-night stand at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1982, Live At Hammersmith ’82! captures one of the best New Romantic bands at the very peak of their imperious first phase, rampaging through hits such as Save A Prayer, Hungry Like The Wolf, Careless Memories and Girls On Film, in addition to their much-loved cover of Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel’s Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me). The audio and video footage from this live show were both released in 2009 as a limited-edition CD/DVD package, but have been unavailable on any physical format since then. Boasting standout performances of many of the best Duran Duran songs, it is now pressed on gold vinyl for the very first time for RSD Black Friday.

Must hear: Careless Memories

4: Todd Rundgren: ‘Something/Anything?’ (4LP clamshell box set, different-coloured 140g vinyl)

Todd Rundgren’s third solo album, Something/Anything?, was significant for many reasons. For starters, it was his first double album, and it also marked the first time the super-talented US multi-instrumentalist recorded much of the music himself, as well as self-producing his own record. Crucially, the album also yielded Rundgren’s first US solo Top 30 hit and a gold disc, with help from radio-friendly rockers such as I Saw The Light and Hello, It’s Me. Something/Anything? celebrates its 50th anniversary in style, with this box-set edition easily ranking among the best Black Friday 2022 vinyl releases, courtesy of two gatefold sleeves featuring reproductions of the original tape boxes, with each LP pressed on different coloured vinyl.

Must hear: I Saw The Light

3: Grateful Dead: ‘Wembley Empire Pool, London, 4/7/72 (Live)’ (5LP, 180g vinyl)

Grateful Dead opened their storied Europe ’72 tour at a sold-out Wembley Empire Pool with a highly memorable set. It drew upon tracks such as The Other One, Not Fade Away and Wharf Rat, from their then recent “Skull And Roses” album, in addition to established favourites among the best Grateful Dead songs (Truckin’, Sugar Magnolia) and a smattering of tunes from Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia’s respective 1972 solo albums. The whole caboodle’s captured here for the very first time on vinyl with exhilarating clarity, though dedicated Deadheads need to move quickly – this tempting box set is limited to just 10,000 copies.

Must hear: Not Fade Away

2: Fleetwood Mac: ‘The Alternate Collection’ (8LP)

As its title suggests, The Alternate Collection rounds up outtakes from Fleetwood Mac’s catalogue circa 1975-87, presenting alternate versions of the group’s self-titled 1975 album, Rumours, Tusk, Fleetwood Mac Live, Mirage and Tango In The Night. Available in both 8LP and 7CD box sets, it makes for a fascinating insight into the creation of each of these esteemed albums. With each individual title having been made previously available as standalone releases, this Black Friday 2022 vinyl release marks the first time they’ve been collected together on coloured wax.

Must hear: Go Your Own Way (Alternate)

1: Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band: ‘Clear Spot’ (2LP clear vinyl)

Brilliant though they are, esoteric titles such as Trout Mask Replica and Mirror Man are daunting prospects for those seeking a way into Captain Beefheart’s singular oeuvre. 1972’s Clear Spot, however, provides a far more accessible point of entry into Don Van Vliet’s catalogue. Indeed, while it includes some of his band’s most beautiful (and linear) pop songs (Too Much Time, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles), even the crankier stuff (Nowadays A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man, Big-Eyed Beans From Venus) isn’t so arcane it’ll spook the uninitiated. Fittingly pressed on crystal-clear vinyl to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the newly recut and perennially compelling Clear Spot returns with an additional album of studio outtakes and alternate versions, and it makes for a worthy champion in this list of the best Black Friday 2022 vinyl releases.

Must hear: Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles

Buy more vinyl rarities and box sets at the Dig! store.