Okay, I once had “Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction” in my vinyl collection, inherited from Dalton, and for some reason, some stroke of temporary madness… I let it go. I have always regretted that. Each time “Sweet Child Of Mine” comes on in the car from Cindy’s USB stick I am throwing horns and weeping at the same time.
This past weekend I was able to change all that.
I know stores like Target and Walmart have always handles music, but to see the transformation in the renewed age of vinyl has been really interesting. My trip to Walmart this weekend had me in the “music” aisle.
There is an upper shelf devoted to records, and lower shelves with lots of record “accessories” like bags and stands etc. and of course record players. There are also CD’s there of course… middle shelf far left.
I found the selection of records a bit whimsical. Sort of a demographic of adult who once bought records back in the day and their now teenage offspring. I won’t disparage the selection, I’m sure they’ve done their homework on what sells to those folks that shop at Walmart (including me) and have hand picked out of a billion records these 50 titles.
There WERE some great albums here, don’t get me wrong.
I had my hands on these 2 Kiss albums. I had just written about Kiss and though I have both of these originals I thought having “Destroyer” on orange vinyl might be nice. I found these in the pile between Harry Styles and a Guardians Of The Galaxy. I am a sucker for colored vinyl and Walmart knows it. Lol. I didn’t buy these.
There was also a nice block of Beatles and Hendrix.
If I didn’t already have 3 or 4 versions of “The White Album” I might have picked up this version, which includes “The Esher Demo’s” as well, but… between some Billie Eilish and some Kendrick Lamar I found the one and only copy there of the album I DID bring home.
2018 Reissue of Guns N’ Roses “Appetite For Destruction”.
I’m not going to go into a review of this album, everyone knows it, but this packaging is a bit different. Outside you have a foil covered slipcase which replicates the version of the album that most are familiar with.
However, inside that is a gatefold of the original artwork from the censored cover. I’ll show part of it as a reminder.
Inside is a photo of the band.
The records are in nice protective sleeves with inserts and a download card.
Now, you may be asking yourself… how did they stretch 12 songs across 2 vinyl albums. Answer, by only using 3 sides. Side 4 is an interesting etched hologram. You can see it a bit if you hold it to the light…
but here is a video I found that shows it in action
Etched vinyl, along with colored vinyl, is kinda like the register lane peg hook stuffers at the grocery store. You didn’t need it, but if you are looking at it while you are waiting you just might buy it.
My reissue “Temple Of the Dog” and my original issue of Silversun Pickups “Better Nature” both have etched sides. Also that is the only reason I still have my original copy of Styx “Paradise Theater”.
Back in the day when we were becoming friends I remember sitting in Dalton’s car in the middle of the Centennial Park parking lot on a nice day after work listening to this album on cassette and just hanging out. I had of course heard most of the songs by that point, it wasn’t brand new, but I had never heard “Mr. Brownstone” which became my favorite on the album, so it kind of blew my mind and cemented the day in my head.
We also listened to Motley Crue’s “Shout At The Devil”, but that’s irrelevant. It just proves that I can remember some really really useless stuff.
I never really got into any of the other GN’R albums except for “Lies”. If I ever come across that one on vinyl I may pick it up, but for now, this is the only one I need and I’m glad I was able to replace it and add it back to my vinyl library.
The Aural Retentive 