Five Standout Picks for Record Store Day 2025

Lou Reed – Metal Machine Music (Legacy)

Lou Reed’s once-divisive Metal Machine Music returns in a stunning silver vinyl edition — both the LP and cover rendered in metallic sheen. Originally reviled and even dismissed by critics (Billboard notoriously listed “recommended cuts – none”), the album has undergone a radical reevaluation. Today, it is hailed as a pioneering work that presaged the rise of experimental electronic noise.

Comprising four sides of relentless guitar feedback, Metal Machine Music offers unexpected rewards for the attentive listener. Beneath the surface chaos lies a hypnotic complexity, laced with subtle melodic textures. It’s particularly effective through headphones, where its immersive nature can be appreciated in full. This is not background music — it’s a confrontation, an experience, and a challenge.

Certainly not Reed’s most commercial endeavor, but perhaps one of his most visionary.

David Bowie – Ready, Set, Go (Parlophone)

Ready, Set, Go marks the first official release of David Bowie’s 2003 Reality tour performance at London’s Riverside Studios. Bowie performs the Reality album in full, with additions from Heathen and Outside, including a searing version of “Hallo Spaceboy.”

Opening with “New Killer Star” and a rollicking cover of “Pablo Picasso,” the set continues through highlights like “Cactus” (originally by the Pixies) and “Afraid.” The energy of the band and Bowie’s performance make this one of the most essential live recordings in his later catalog. With its release likely tied to an upcoming box set, it’s also a tantalizing glimpse into what’s next in the ongoing celebration of Bowie’s legacy.

Yes – Live at the Rainbow, London, England, 12/16/1972 (Rhino)

Presented in a deliberately rough, bootleg-style package, this official vinyl release captures Yes at their peak, performing at London’s Rainbow Theatre in 1972. Spread across five sides of vinyl (with the sixth bearing an etched design), the recording includes nine tracks, highlighted by an epic performance of “Close to the Edge” occupying the entire third side.

While the etching may feel like a missed opportunity for more music, the set itself is a sonic triumph. Fans familiar with the Close to the Edge deluxe edition will know the caliber of this show, but this marks its first proper vinyl pressing. Raw, powerful, and intricately performed, it’s an essential acquisition for Yes aficionados.

T. Rex – Bolan B-Sides (Demon Records)

Astonishingly, it’s taken nearly 50 years for someone to compile all of Marc Bolan’s B-sides into a single vinyl collection — but Bolan B-Sides finally does just that. Focusing on the post-1972 period, it may omit the earliest classics, but what’s here is packed with gold.

Tracks like “Cadillac,” “Baby Strange,” “Thunderwing,” and “Lady” — originally hidden on the flip sides of “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru” — burst with swagger and invention. The energy remains consistent through the first disc, with later selections like “Baby Boomerang,” “Ride My Wheels,” and “Solid Baby” adding further depth.

Though some of the later material is less consistent, this release shines a new light on Bolan’s immense songwriting gift — particularly his ability to stash brilliant tracks on the reverse of his biggest hits.

The Doors – Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress (Elektra)

This previously unreleased rough mix of Strange Days — The Doors’ sophomore album — provides a rare look into the raw and unpolished state of the iconic 1967 recording. Discovered after nearly six decades, it reveals a version of the album stripped of final overdubs and studio polish.

What emerges is both intimate and forceful, with a sense of immediacy often absent from the final product. “When The Music’s Over” is a standout, offering a leaner and more urgent version of the familiar epic. For fans and collectors alike, this is more than a curiosity — it’s a fascinating document of a band at their most experimental and inventive.

Conclusion:
Record Store Day 2025 offers more than just nostalgia — these five standout releases provide rare insights, forgotten gems, and fresh perspectives on some of rock’s most innovative artists. Whether it’s the visceral energy of a live performance, the raw edges of a lost mix, or long-overlooked B-sides finally seeing the light of day, each record here is a collector’s dream and a listener’s delight.