You know the saying about the law of attraction? Yeah, well, looks like one band decided, ‘Hey, maybe we should rerelease this LP,’ and that one band ended up being pretty much all of them. And –get this –only one of them is standard black. I mean, we’re talking peak consumption-levels here.
Rereleases can get a bad rap –and should –but that’s not necessarily the point. Okay, maybe it is the point. But, somehow, taking the magic of a record that was released (x) years ago, slapping it on some colored vinyl, and hoping it’ll have the same sell-out effect is a little insane. Then again, every one in the music industry seems to be a little off their rocker, and that includes people behind the scenes (Rigor Morrissey as well).
However, it seems like madness runs throughout the music industry, because like crazies, we buy new records each week and expect different results. These results you can actually anticipate because you know what it sounds like. Because, you know, it’s been released before. And who doesn’t want a record they’ve listened to for the last decade on vinyl for decoration?
Alexisonfire –Crisis
Alexisonfire at least waited until their 20th anniversary for Crisis before they dropped a rerelease of the record, I will give them that. And the red and white splatter is pretty cool. And, the album isn’t terrible, so I say that’s a win on all three counts. Whether you’re looking for wall decor or a pick to keep on your shelf, you can’t go too wrong here.
Dance Gavin Dance –Instant Gratification (ecovinyl)
I will give Dance Gavin Dance something –at least amidst all the thoughtless money-grabs, they at least decided to go for an environmentally friendly money-grab. Sure, vinyl, the music industry, and actually, just corporations as a whole, are doing their best to greenwash their way into people’s good graces when in reality the best way to greenwash us is to actually put in climate change measures, but at least the little guy (in this case, DGD) is doing something about their carbon footprint.
Hypocrisy –Worship
Hypocrisy released Worship back in 2021… in the month of November… but this August in the year of 2026, you can get your hands on a brand new fluorescent blue copy. On the off-chance that you’re a brand new Hypocrisy fan, here’s some new material for you to chew down on! However, it’s probably a lot more likely you’ve been a fan for a long time, and well, vinyl is old, but not that old.
PUP –Dream Is Over
This release will stick out like a sore thumb – because it’s not a metal release. It’s more of an alternative, punk, rock, fusion record, that still gets lumped into the rerelease slander, that’s right, because no one is safe. I did say come one, come all, didn’t I? PUP at least released this record in 2016, so it is celebrating its 10th birthday, however, that was back in May. Need I say what month it is again? That said, it is a half-decent record.
Sigh –Scenario IV : Dread Dreams
I’m honestly no better than Dave Mustcomplain over at Disgruntled Dad Reviews, as I describe records as ‘half-decent’ and ‘not terrible’ –but, does anyone really expect the dead guy on staff to be the cheeriest? No. Try Goblikon. He has way too much fun with his day job. Or Smokey, but I feel like that nickname explains the reason why. So, yet again, not terrible, half-decent rereleased record with a new vinyl variant.