There are two main ways to approach Record Store Day: You could celebrate like the devoted record geeks for whom the holiday was at least partly invented (and like the opportunistic eBay scum who have since latched onto it), gathering intelligence on which stores are stocking which exclusives and camping out in front of them for hours before their doors open. Or you could do what I do: cruise around, check out the most interesting-looking events, and see what stuff those stores have left after the rush. (This has worked out surprisingly well for me.) Of course, neither approach can guarantee that you’ll find everything you want, but both work better if you have a clear idea of what you want—and just as importantly, what you’re better off passing by.
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BUY:The Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde: The Singles Collection seven-inch box set.
I’ll make an exception to the preceding rule for this. Seven of the best rap songs of the 90s, along with a CD version of the album and a bunch of Bizarre Ride swag, including a jigsaw puzzle—and the box says “Oh shit!” when you open it. I mean, come on.