Jack White’s Third Man Records is taking a cue from The Great Gatsby’s glittering scenery and releasing a fittingly extravagant collectable — a two-disc gold and platinum metallized record set.
Founded by Jack White, Third Man Records has, since its inception, focused on a high-class brand of the unusual. Whether this means releasing a strange, single record from enigmatic Mildred and the Mice or very special vinyl editions of past work from The White Stripes, Third Man has created its own unique place in the world of record labels and stores.
Now, on April 20 (Record Store Day), Third Man is going to prove that everything old is new again.
Another year, another torrential downpour of albums across our desks. As always, we encountered way too much amazing music, from Meshuggah to The Mars Volta, Converge, Killer Mike, P.O.S, and many more.
Jack White: Blunderbuss (Third Man / Columbia)
“Sixteen Saltines”
[audio:http://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Jack_White_Sixteen_Saltines.mp3|titles=Jack White: “Sixteen Saltines”]For the past decade, Jack White always has felt like some sort of enigmatic miracle worker. Or perhaps “warlock” or “witch doctor” are more appropriate terms. But any way you slice it, the result has been the same: White has been able to (A) build something large out of very little and (B) bring focus and resolve to a kaleidoscope of different influences and styles when collaborating with peers.
Each week, Behind the Counter speaks to an independent record store to ask about its recent favorites, best sellers, and noteworthy trends.
The Corner Record Shop in Grandville, Michigan started out in a tiny corner room behind an old Dutch bakery. Eleven years later, owner Steve Williamson and his “no judgment” staff cater to young and old alike, offering their talents in the two-room spot with an audio-repair shop, stereo showroom, and venue (still in the works). Employee Brian Beckwith shares some thoughts with us.
