One Down, Twelve to Go

Awhile back I set a goal of getting an entire "Metal Massacre" set. Refer to this post about why this series of compilations is important and why I wanted to collect it. Not too long ago I acquired my first in the set, which I found sitting in the bin at my favorite local record store. It is aptly called The Record Store, located in Howell NJ. I've been going there for years and have found a lot of good stuff, I recommend it if you're in the area.

 

"Metal Massacre V" released by Metal Blade Records in 1984 is the first in my collection. This is probably the best all around album of the bunch with bands that would go on to become legendary; like Voivod, Overkill, Fates Warning, Metal Church, and the nasty black/thrash Hellhammer. I'm also particularly fond of the cover art, not as bland as the earlier releases and not as generic as the later ones. This copy is in near mint condition and sounds great! The quest continues

 

Since when does Target sell vinyl?

A week or so ago I walked into Target to print some pictures. I had no intention of being there very long, I don't really like the place. But while my pictures were printing I had a bit of time to kill so I decided to browse the electronics department. Nothing really interested me, a lot of bad movies and music and overpriced video games(I also sort of collect those), but then I saw what looked like 7" records. Being a vinyl collector I had to check it out. Lo and behold there was a display of a bunch of 45s, all Beatles songs. These caught my interest and I bought what I could get my hands on. 

"Let It Be" b/w "You Know My Name(Look Up The Number) - S/M T-Shirt 

"Help!" b/w "I'm Down" - L/XL T-Shirt

"Can't Buy Me Love" b/w "You Can't Do That" - L/XL T-Shirt

"Hello Goodbye" b/w "I Am The Walrus" L/XL T-Shirt 

This set of four singles was released and sold exclusively at Target stores across the country in very limited numbers. Each 45 comes with a t-shirt, and each retains the original design and sound of the singles released in the 60s. So all the records except "Let It Be" are mono, and "I Am The Walrus" has the extra measure not found on the LP. This promotion with Target was to commemorate the release of the newly remastered "1", and aside from my dislike of remasters this is a nice set. The packaging is great, and the t-shirts are pretty cool as well. For Beatles fans this is a cool set and a really nice collectors piece. I, however am not much of a Beatles fan so these won't stay in my collection long but they're cool nonetheless.