New Decemberists Album Out Jan. 18

The Decemberists new album The King is Dead comes out Jan. 18, but the band is taking pre-orders on its Web site now.

There are some pretty cool packages available, including a whopping $165 deluxe box edition that features a one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn de Wilde, a 72-page book, DVD, a limited-edition print, the album on white vinyl, and lots more. This package is limited to 2,500.

A standard vinyl album goes for $19.

When visiting my local indie record store last week, I picked up the new single from the band, which was prominently displayed on the counter. It features the original "January Hymn" backed by a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Row Jimmy." The 45, which cost $2, also came with a $2 coupon for the upcoming full-length release.

To learn more, visit The Decemberists Web page here.

Bright Eyes Album Due in February

Saddle Creek is taking pre-orders for the new Bright Eyes release The People’s Key, which hits stores Feb. 15. It's the much-anticipated follow-up to 2007's Cassadaga.

The vinyl album comes packaged with a CD and album download for $18.

As usual, Saddle Creek has prepared some special bundles as well. The Music Plus package features the album, a T-shirt, and a poster for $31.

The super deluxe package comes with the album pressed on colored vinyl, a seven-inch record with two extra tracks, the T-shirt and two posters. Limited to 2,000, this bundle is $50.

For more information, visit Saddle Creek.

Black Friday Finds

I hope everyone made it to their local indie record store on Friday for all the great special releases.

I made it to Amoeba in Berkeley, Calif., where I picked up The Black Keys' 45 RPM edition of Brothers. The package includes the album on double 45 RPM vinyl as well as a bonus 10-inch disc of six previously unreleased tracks.

In addition, I got U2's Wide Awake In Europe EP, which features three live songs from their recent tour. The first side has the previously unreleased "Mercy," recorded in Brussels.

And, I was able to get the Bruce Springsteen and The Gaslight Anthem 45s. The Springsteen 7-inch features "Save My Love," a new song off The Promise album, and the great song "Because The Night" on the flip side.

The Gaslight Anthem 7-inch features the band covering "Tumbling Dice." The B-side is their own "She Loves You." The single comes in four different colors, with the cover matching the color of the vinyl.

There was a nice little line in front of Amoeba before the doors opened. When folks were let inside, they jammed around the special releases, so you had to be a little aggressive, but everyone was friendly.

It was a good day to hold vinyl lovers over until Record Store Day in April.

Black Friday News

Hi Vinyl Fans:

Shopping on the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for many folks, but I've done my best to avoid the mall crowds over the years, This time, I'm happily heading to the indie record stores on Black Friday. A number of special vinyl releases will be offered that day. Now, it's not officially another Record Store Day, but you will find a number of super-cool releases from Bruce Springsteen, Black Keys, Metallica, and others.

Here's a link to a list of the Black Friday specials.

It's a great way to start the holidays.

Pre-orders Announced for Austin Lucas' Latest

The pre-sale for Austin Lucas' Collection gets under way Nov. 2.

If you have never heard Lucas, I urge you to check him out. He's a terrific singer with an arsenal of killer songs. I recently bought his Somebody Loves You album, which turned me into a fan. I then quickly picked up Common Cold and Putting The Hammer Down.

Lucas is a tough guy to categorize, and that's a good thing. He came of age in the basements of DIY punk and hardcore, but he also has a strong alt-country vibe. It all works together beautifully.

The terrific Suburban Home label reports that Collection will be pressed on two colors—150 on whiskey-coke and 350 on pink. Pre-orders get an automatic digital download.

To listen to Lucas and learn more about the label, visit them at www.vinylcollective.com.

November Releases

Hey, Vinyl Fans:

There's a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks. There's no slow down of good stuff in November.

Here are a few of the albums I'm looking forward to:

Elliott Smith—An Introduction to ... Elliott Smith (Kill Rock Stars) has a Nov. 2 release date.

Bruce Springsteen—A three-disc vinyl package of The Promise hits the streets Nov. 16. That will go nicely with the The Promise:The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set, with its three CDs and three DVDs. There are 21 unreleased songs here. Am I dreaming?

Norah Jones—...Featuring Norah Jones (Blue Note) also has a Nov. 16 release date. The album collects the collaborations that Jones has done during the past decade with everyone from Ray Charles to Ryan Adams.

Taylor Swift—Country's biggest star releases Speak Now (Big Machine) on vinyl also on Nov. 16.

Cowboy Junkies—Renmin Park (Diverse) gets its vinyl release Nov. 16, a busy day indeed.

Rolling Stones—The Rolling Stones unleash a couple of mammoth box sets. The Rolling Stones 1964-1969 (Universal) features nine remastered albums. The notable albums on this collection of early materials include Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed. The Rolling Stones 1971-2005 includes 14 remastered albums. Both sets, which will cost you about $350 each, have a Nov. 22 release.

$18,000 White Stripes Record

A White Stripes' single just sold for a whoppin' $18,000.

The band released its second single "Lafayette Blues" a dozen years ago, with a performance at the Gold Dollar in Detroit. There was a delay in printing the sleeves, so Jack White and David Buick, head of Italy Records, the label that released the single, hand-painted 15 covers. Copies sold for 6 bucks that night. Over time, these precious 45s and their unique covers have been the Holy Grail of White Stripes collectors.

The Third Man Records site reports that one of these records just went for $18k.