We Don't Do Affiliate Link BS. Here's Where We're Actually Buying LP Gifts This Year.

Blue Öyster Cult formed at SUNY Stony Brook. I spent the first ten years of my life right down the road from there, in Rocky Point, New York.

Their first three albums, the ones with all black-and-white covers, are one continuous vibe. BÖC fans are a weird sort - they literally brought the umlaut to rock n’ roll. They’re basically the cross section of poetry, tech, mysticism, biker gangs and smoky basements. Patti Smith co-wrote at least 5 of their songs and sang on one.

These three albums called the Black-and-White trilogy: the 1972 self-titled record, Tyranny and Mutation (my fave by a longshot), and Secret Treaties. That’s where this structure for this post comes from. It’s three parts, the same as your LP book: current, re-up, pipeline.

One thing up front: we don’t do affiliate links. That’s some weak-ass sh--. If we’re recommending something, it’s because we buy it ourselves, not because somebody’s paying us to say it. We’re not the digital simps at Wirecutter.

Every link below goes straight to the real store, nothing tracked, no kickbacks. These are just places where we shop.

This isn’t just some random list - it’s a program that says who gets what and when, how much to spend, when to mail the card, and when to order the gift so it actually shows up on time. Who knows, you might even get a thank-you note.

You don’t know how many times I get an email every year that says, “You were the only person that sent me a hand-written card.” I feel bad when I see that email because I wish way more people took the time to send hand-written cards.

I. “Then Came the Last Days of May”: Current LPs

These are the LPs already carrying you. A gift here is a thank-you, not a pitch. Keep these a bit understated on purpose. Budget: $40-60.