Biggest thing for me is definitely the fragility of the jewel case. You’d think someone could come up with a spindle design that wouldn’t get shattered and lose ‘ teeth’ when a CD gets shipped.
The most 'horrible' cases are from 'The ultimate jazz archive', a 168CD box set packed in 42 fragile plastic cases with 4 CDs each! Many of the 'teeth' are broken, so the CDs can fall on the floor and get scratched when you open the case!
With all the times I moved, I have so many broken jewel cases, though my LPs seemed to move from state to state with little to no damage actually. My dvds traveled well for the most part too, and weirdly I have vhs tapes that have survived since 1986!
I bought weird Al bad hair day on cd in 1996 but when I move from my childhood home in Blaine to a grouphome in coonrapids I took it with me I open up the case but than my electric toothbrush fell on it and broke my cd into four pieces so back in 2015 I had to order a new copie from best buy I moved in a grouphome in 1999
I wish it was the biggest thing for me... which is the fragility of my fingernails. I often break them by simply reaching into the pockets, and picking a CD out of its jewel box always scares me. Further complicted by almost absent near-field vision. Aging isn't always nice. Paper CD covers are much more forgiving.
Another annoying thing is when they first release a series of CDs and box sets one size, and then they change the style in the middle of the release of the series.
Digipak albums that arrive shrink wrapped so tight it bends & warps the corners, leaving unsightly tears or jewel cases done the same way, which end up with cracks. I also hate the super cheap digipaks with no plastic inlay or anything inside to protect the cd, no booklet, nothing, just a piece of card to scratch your cd when removing & replacing. I hate it when the band & album title is printed upside down on the spine. I hate spindles with missing teeth or orders arriving with the cd rattling around in the case more often than not leaving scuffs or scratches, i don't pay for damaged products. Thank you very much. I hate that not all digipaks are standard size or they have no spine to read the album, making it harder to find on your shelf. Paying the same price or more for less these days is the norm, cheap packaging, no booklets, no lyrics, no band info & if there is any info, it's too damn hard to read even with glasses. Nice video Brendon, feels good to speak the truth about things you love but which have problems.
I LOVE CD's. Now aged 65 and they utterly transformed my appreciation of the reproduction and playback of music in my world. I also own several thousand CD's and ZERO vinyl. Never been happier.
Likewise. I started buying music in the mid-1980s when LPs were still the dominant format. I never liked them. They were huge, they took up loads of space, they got dog-eared, you had to flip them over on the end of each side, they wore out . . . I was one of those weird people who actually favoured audio cassettes. My parents were poor and so I only had what is nowadays called a boombox (they were called something else in the UK in the '80s but we aren't going to go there). CDs always felt like the best quality technology but in a petite, easily-storable format. And unlike audio cassettes you could access any track from any point on the album at once, without fapping about with the needle arm.
Agreed. I finally replaced all my vinyl with CD’s, or digital downloads when no CD is available. Unfortunately I did have to record some vinyl albums to CD because they were never available on CD or digital downloads. Some vinyl I was able to improve the quality by EQing it when I recorded it to CD. Vinyl makes a better Frisbee than a music platform.
I don’t like them either. The least they could provide is a protective inner sleeve, similar to those for LPs, which protects the CD from getting scratched when sliding out of the sleeve.
The 2000's remasters often lack any dynamics and push up the upper mid frequencies to an unbearable level. Luckily, many of the more recent ones are definite improvements on the originals.
The majority of "experts" in Audiophile forums will dismiss a reissue as soon as they see the word remaster on the hype sticker, solely out of stubbornness and traditionalism. I fell into this trap when I started collecting and it wasn't until years and hundreds (probably more) of dollars later that I realized the loudness wars are way over-hyped and full of fear mongering. I wish I had a dime for every time some bull-headed boomer comments "Oh no!!! That remaster is too loud too my ears!!" on the Hoffman forums. I could finally get back some of the money I wasted on original pressings where the $5.99 remaster sounds completely fine or better. I would tell any new collector that unless a record sounds like a clipping wall of trash (Metallica's Death Magnetic), a remaster will get the job done or do it better. (And I'm only talking about remasters. I understand remixes are a completely different ballpark)
@@titanisback1 yes, I'm also using a waveform viewer to tell me what versions of an album I should like. The wave files just look so much nicer and thinner on the original AAD's.
I hate cardboard sleeves. It ticks me off that these are becoming standard storage especially where box sets are concerned. For example, I just got my 6CD Police Synchronicity Box Set. The CD's are all in cardboard sleeves. No matter how carefully you extract the CD's they almost always come out scuffed or worse, scratched. And they will continue to get scratched each time you remove and reinsert the discs in the sleeves. I know that sound quality is not affected. But, as you said, when you collect, you want your CD's in pristine condition from the get go.
Glad to see someone affirm what I have been griping about for years. With a $125 MSRP you would think they could supply better storage inside that won't scratch the CD's. Whenever I purchase a CD in one of those horrible cardboard sleeves the disc itself immediately goes in one of my own slimline jewel cases.
I agree. What I do whenever I have those cardboard sleeves, I put the CD in a scissors-trimmed-down paper sleeve (the ones with the front cellophane window that CD-ROMs are kept in) then I put the CD into the cardboard sleeve...like you would with an LP.
There are actually protective inner sleeves available (similar to those for LPs) you can buy separately. I put my CDs in one of those whenever I buy a CD in a cardboard sleeve without any protection. This way they don’t get scratched anymore. It’s a shame these sleeves aren’t included by default though.
Yes to this. You'd think they would've figured out a print standard. But I think it's mostly an issue for CDs manufacturers in the southern hemisphere.
The jewel cases are getting lighter in density. I've realized this when I was getting them off of eBay, and most of the older albums came in heavier jewel cases compared to reissues that we're getting today.
Dear Brendon, Hi! I'm a Japanese Mini-LP collector. I started collecting Mini-LPs on 2008 about the time Japanese companies started publishing SHM CDs and then came HQCD, UHQCD, Blu-spec CD 1&2, SHM-SACD for the 40th anniversary reissues of great labels. I don't buy European or American CDs, especially Jewel Case or Slipcase...; unless it's a decent deluxe edition or super deluxe edition, or box set imported to Japan. Of course, I've got a few Japanese deluxe digipak full album sets. At the time, I thought I should do it right. I didn't have space for Vinyl. So I chose Japanese Mini-LP! I know that even Mini-LPs are not perfect. They are pricy; They have the same small font, minor font mistakes on lyric sheets; artwork not as big as Vinyl but way better that other editions; they respect the original artwork and shape with high quality cardboard and true color; they have protecting sleeves and anti-static covers; they put cool stuff inside... Posters, stickers, badges, lyric sheets! I love my collection! Now they are manufacturing 7'' inch CDs which are Amazing! I've got a few and I adore them! I believe 7'' inch CDs is the answer and final format for us collectors! Everything looks perfect on 7'' inch CDs...Great Format! ...If they do it right like Japanese Companies doing it now...but of course with less price! About your collection: I think variety is good; You've got the Originals! Thousands of rare and precious CDs and Box sets! Many of us haven't even listened to these records once. You started years ago and You did Fantastic! You've got good taste in Music and A Perfect Collection! I hope CD manufactures watch your video and do it right! ...Because collectors not only Love Music but Care for even the smallest details! Great Video! Thanks.... Kind Regards... Behnam
I can relate, Brendon. 😃. I prefer jewel cases since you can replace the cases. (I have previously mentioned how I specially care for the cardboard ones, but it adds a layer of cost). From amazon, my CD jewel cases regularly come cracked. Three of three Grand Funk Railroad CDs recently had cracks of different degrees. I hold my breath on the cardboard ones. My New Model Army Unbroken CD was shipped in bubble mailer with a can of tennis balls so the cardboard seemed curved. When I opened it, I gently bent it flat without damaging it. Thin cardboard. Thankfully, the CD was not damaged. I do not hesitate to return to amazon if something is damaged beyond my picky standards. (Kohls makes it easy for me to return). I still love CDs for their sparkling crystal clean sound and the real storage advantage. - Heather
Great vid. I totally agree with all your points. I used to be a big stickler about packaging and disc imperfections but have gotten easier on those in an attempt to grow my collection more. I too will be a CD guy until I die😁
Another person said, "I'll take muddy CDs over the brickwall'd ones: Me too! And most of them arent even muddy. I know that I can't stand those heavily compressed, music killing brick walls! 🧱 No separation. Usually badly EQ'd as well. Makes me want to run away from the speakers, as opposed to "living between them" with the original CDs and LPs. I will say though, that a good amount of the properly done remasters sound fantastic! As for packaging, I personally can't stand CDs where the "CD face" is some unrelated art. I like the old silver w/black text CD face, or most especially the ones that recreate the original LP's center label, with the record label logo! Finally, "Jewel Case" for me! Standard strength, not those cheapo recent "light" ones where they're not as clear & the tray wants to fly out. No, I mean standard strength proper jewel cases! That's the original packaging. Sucks if they're shipped w/a crack (hate that), but when the case is new and unharmed, thats the one! Just be careful with your music, people! I have maybe, let's say, 7,000 CDs (haven't counted, probably more) and I'd say that 6,943 of them still have nice CLEAN, like new Jewel Cases! Just care for your music! Marc ⚡
Great video Brandon. You mentioned everything that I also hate about cd's, especially getting "manufactured on demand" CDr's, that for some reason very few people talk about.
Used Digipak CDs with the price sticker applied directly to the cardboard. Just about impossible to remove the sticker without damaging the Digipak… It’s aggravating and I dealt with this again this past Saturday. Please stop doing this. Consider putting the Digipak CDs in a clear cellophane sleeve and apply the price sticker to this sleeve. If store staff and owners are concerned that customers might try to swap the sleeves, they could apply a duplicate sticker to the adhesive flap which closes the sleeve. Or put that flap portion up front.
Stickers in general are THE most annoying things ever!!!!! They put them on f-ing everything.....cd's, dvd/blurays, books, comics, games. Just F off with stickers!!!!
I have never been a “I have to have the original 80’s CD press because the loudness wars ruined modern (mid to late 90’s and newer) pressed CDs” or a “I think the original 80’s/early 90’s pressed CDs sound muddy so I have to have all newer pressed CDs” guy I enjoy it all. I often find myself enjoying the presentation of the older pressed 80’s and early 90’s CDs. I love the more solid feel of the case and the sleek black on sliver look of the CD (vs the laser print of mid 90’s and later CDs) I even love the little CD logo that they put on the album art that they would do away with by the mid to late 90’s. I do a lot of thrifting and I will usually have an original copy for the look and for mostly having the original track listing (if I want to just listen to the album) and have a later reissue for the bonus tracks and the expanded booklet.
I have only one CD I believe to be from before the so-called 'loudness wars': The Age Of Consent by The Bronski Beat, which I liberated from a charity shop years ago. It sounds crap tbh. It's all echo-ey, as if it was recorded in a cathedral with inferior equipment, or as if in another room by someone with a cassette recorder. Or, most likely, since it was recorded around 1983 (?) it was simply recorded with the standard analogue equipment of that era and then whacked onto CD as it was, an extremely new format that many technicians didn't understand back then. Yeah, I don't get involved with this 'loudness wars' rubbish.
Just had a CD from groove yard records.. My CD arrived 😊mint as they packed it in a sandwich of two thick pieces of card in a fluff filled envelope... Absolutely fabulous 😅
I don't think there is anything wrong with CDs. I don't like it when vendors ship them and the cases arrive damaged- at least damaged jewel cases can be replaced as long as they don't have anything unique (a sticker or design) on them, damaged digipak CDs are a pain. Otherwise they are by far the best physical format with the overall package. If I want bigger artwork, I can buy a poster or a T-shirt. They don't have the faff and constant maintenance/care issues that vinyl records require. I don't want snap crackle and pop, they are easier to keep nice and clean.
One that bugs me, fitting a double vinyl album to fit on a single cd and removing tracks that were on the original double album. Black Sabbath, We Sold our Souls for Rock and Roll is a prime example.
And how about that Black Sabbath "best of" that had the single edit of "Iron Man" in order to fit another track on the disc? I believe it had been Sharon Osbourne's idea to do that.
A good rant. I have had bad experiences with the 2-CD "hinged" (swings open like a page) packages, they always seem to break. It is funny that you showed 72 Seasons, which is a "hideous" package and cover, I actually cut off all the fold-outs, except Rob Trujillo's which makes it more "workable". Check out Pete Pardo's review, he mentions how annoying the package is. The printing and font used on many CD's has made it necessary to get out the magnifying glass, which is common. I recently was going through my Opeth discs, and they all have some "funky" lettering...very annoying.
Another thing, remember when articles were written that said all our CD's would deteriorate after a couple decades? I've never had a problem except an INXS cd from Shine anthology actually cracked when I removed it from the case. Ouch!
In regard to what you said about unique style/color jewel cases breaking and then needing to be replaced with the identical type case in order to keep the authentic integrity of the packaging (such as the green tinted Ryko cases)... do you ever get frustrated when you purchase a used first pressing 1983 - 1986 era CD (usually but not always, made in West Germany or Japan) that you KNOW originally came in a heavy, durable SMOOTH-EDGED jewel case... but the third-party seller obviously replaced said smooth-sided case with a more flimsy, modern day case (that has "ridges" on the top and bottom)? To me, that's frustrating... because I consider those vintage cases to be an integral part of the "experience", especially if it's one of those "Target" CD's from the mid 80's. Also, have you noticed how the "COMPACT DISC - DIGITAL AUDIO" logo is all but absent on today's CD's (both on the CD itself, as well as on the artwork/inlay)? This bugs me, as I like to have the format clearly identified. I've read that disc packaging no longer uses the CD logo because, technically, they're not strictly adhering to the "Redbook standard" anymore. In other words, while they still play in a CD player, they're no longer the exact same format that Phillips/SONY first patented in 1982. I find this to be both interesting and disappointing at the same time. I'm sure that these issues I just mentioned are things that only people like yourself (and me) would ever pay attention to! 💿
I absolutely agree with you about the smooth edged cases. I have an early Japan for US Dark Side of the Moon cd that I found at goodwill which unfortunately has a few cracks on the case. It’s been very difficult to find an exact case replacement for it, especially since it has “patent pending” molded directly to the case on the back
I thought I had a lot of CDs at 6200 - can't imagine what it's like storing twice as many! I already tell people I can't possibly listen to them all (again) before I die, but still keep buying 😉 My 10 year old grandson is building his own collection, unlike most of his peers. I have to agree with all of your gripes. The oversized ones that are too tall to fit on a standard shelf are my biggest pet peeve.
Hey Brendon. I totally agree w/ most of the issues with CDs. The Digi packs are my biggest pet peeve. The other pet peeve w/ jewel cases is when the double disc cases open like a tri-fold panel instead of the old school fat box dual CD cases.
I have been listening to vinyl, CD’s and now streaming since the mid 70’s and for me, in most cases, you just can’t beat the full and immersive sound a good vinyl record provides. I admit that I do play my records on audiophile grade equipment and that certainly helps, but the CD’s and streaming also go through the same equipment. Of course with record playing equipment you can change preamps, stylus etc. to get the sound you are searching for. Just as an example. my brother asked me to play Atomic Punk by Van Halen so I played the CD first which sounded fine, I then put on the original vinyl pressing and the sound clarity coming out of the speakers wasn’t even close. Having said all that, I do still buy CD’s since they are less expensive, easier to store and do sound good. Good video as always Brendon. Hope to run into you again at Sound Exchange!! 👍
I bought sleeves for those vinyl replicas. I was certain that the discs were scratching every time I pull it out to play it. I had a MASH DVD box set that is now unwatchable because of wear and tear from constant use. That was so disappointing. Hey Brendon, thanks for the video. I relate to all theses things you mentioned.
With the Senjutsu CD there is the same problem, if you want to read the track list you have to open the digipack and slide the booklet... very interesting video! Cheers from Argentina!
Digipacks without A Spindle Inlay. Sliding CDs into Cardboard Sleeves !! Ugh !! I Bought plastic CD Sleeves to Slide in Those Cardboard Sleeves & it Works Perfect.
Hi 👋 i can remember standing in a record store and the retail assistant was demonstrating to a group of us how to play a compact disc in a cd player. This was back in the 1980s. This was when the cd was a new format . The shop assistant was saying to us ,no more scratching as with vinyl records. Lol ! I own a large collection of cds. I still listen to them. I like how a cd can come with a booklet giving info and pictures about the singer ir group.
Yeah. No more scratches. Hahaha. Maybe I'm not the most careful guy in the world, but I reckon CDs scratch way easier than vinyl. And sometimes it's worse. At least with vinyl, if a section got scratched, you could pick the needle up and probably only miss a few seconds. If a CD gets scratched badly, it might refuse to play an entire track or even several tracks.
Yeah, this all bothered me too. It's the OCD in me. Ultimately I decided not to think about it since agonizing on it isn't going to change anything. That said, I think I'd really like it if they all came in high quality 7-inch digipack type packages. But that could be a pretty big problem for someone with 12,000 CDs! Good video!
With digipaks or any cardboard slip cases and whatnot, I put them in a plastic sleeve to protect them. Always have spare jewel cases. Early target CDs had great sound with flat transfers. I'll take a "muddy" CD too over a brickwalled remaster any day!
Another issue with CDs in standard jewel cases: when the booklet is a bit thick, after you check it a few times, the left side of the front cover gets damaged and shows wear. Even if the booklet is not so thick, if you've had a CD for many years and you've checked the booklet a few times, it happens to most of them. I hate it!
I like the 5 album packs but if you pick them up too fast the slide out I only buy studio albums so I have to live with the cardboard ones so l am careful with how I handle them I can live with the different packing but I understand how you feel
1/ Cardboard CD packaging that holds multiple discs - usually five CDs. It's really hard to remove discs 2, 3 and 4 without tearing the card. 2/ CD box sets should be 12" x 12" with each disc in its own jewel case. They were like that in the late 80s / early 90s so why not now?
First thing I dont like is that cd's are easily damaged Second thing is that sometimes cd albums do not have all of the songs from the original album Third thing is going the other way, I wish that bonus tracks they add to some remasters came on a separate cd as lots of times I like to put the album on repeat and though the bonus songs can be nice they take away the album listening experience for me
It's nice to know I'm not the only one that gets annoyed by CD cases. Sometimes I have a hard time getting the booklet out of the jewel case. My remedy is to slip a little piece of paper between the cover and the booklet so it finally goes over those little long bump things. The ones with the two dot bump things are easier but sometimes the booklet gets gouged by them. I also put the cardboard CD cases in little plastic bags if I have a close enough size, or use zip-lock bags so they don't get damaged as much. But then they don't fold very well to put into a books shelf or CD tower, and looks messy....lol.
You should have a segment at the end of the year. Which CD gets the worst packaging award. So far, my choice is the Black Crows latest CD. You couldn't read anything, it had the cheapest packaging ever
Got that a number of years back when the band had just reformed to support Queensryche on tour. Now the Hurricane line-up that’s out there is a different one.
I collect cds, sometimes vinyl, sometimes tapes but primarily cds. I really don't like the digipacks. I prefer old fashioned jewel cases. I especially don't care for the digipacks with the disc tray glued on, you break a tiny tab or two that holds the disc and the whole case is ruined. I've done it and it sucks. I've been watching your vids for awhile now, might as well SUBSCRIBE.
How about the jewel cases with the little round nub things on the front that puts dings in the booklet if it slips out a bit. The straight nubs I like, I don't think there is a word that is used to describe them.
All very familiar (and has annoyed me for many years). Also-when they put non-peel stickers directly onto card digipacks. DVD packaging also varies a lot (as do the thicknesses of the discs). This is before you even start on the differences in quality of CD/DVD recordings....
I hear you on the slip case vs jewel case. If there tool fans in here, you know there CD releases after undertow have been works of art. Especially Lateralus, 10,000 days and Fear Inoculum. But I know in my collection, it’s the boxed sets that throw it off like ZZ Top, chrome, smoke and bbq, the police complete recordings in their huge box and even Alice In Chains music bank. CD is always my #1. Easier to care for, easier to rip into mp3 to put on my phone so I can listen when I exercise or play my drums.
Thanks for pointing that out about how early CD's ere poor. All the people criticizing sound don't realize it's not the disc but the poor tape version used to make, badly EQed and such. Engineers say CD is neutral doesn't cause bad sound. Agree with you on Digipacks, those Japanese Mini Lp Sleeves CD's are the way to go, beautiful. This anti CD binge is also making it difficult to find back catalog titles, your left to luck on the used store circuit
I beg to differ my friend. There are fewer and fewer yes who see CDs as the only way to listen to music, but there are more and more who are appreciating the idea of owning the art you love in physical form
I hate those gatefold cardbaord covers that tear easily as the cd and booklet are so are to get out the packaging. the jewel cases with the dimples that always seem to impact the cover. I ahve in the main done away with my jewel cases and have resorted to the plastic wallets which are good but then I had to create my own cardboard boxes to put them in! Anyway another good show. How abut one on the albums that are still not out there not on cd or had a limited release on an obscure label.
Great topic and we honestly had the same conversation in my band while considering how we press our own releases. They have to fit in a cd tower for me, no digipacks!
A couple things I hate… When a new digital remaster is released and it either sounds identical to the older version, or not as good as the old version. Example… the new master cleans up tape hiss and improves high end clarity but the low end is reduced too much. I also hate the differences in volume from one CD to another. Early CD’s were notorious for extremely low volume. Then there was the volume war.
Oh yeah, the cardboard gatefold cd albums that take up more width than a normal plastic case. To be fair, personally I don’t mind slipcases. And the mix of different colour cases, the white, black, clear, a right pain for me too. The artwork has to be clear, the right saturation, the right colour. I like to see quality
I agree that cd technology is much better now than it was when cds were just being produced, but to me, early cd presses sound phenomenal. The majority of the ones I’ve listened to tend to have a huge dynamic range in comparison to many remasters that have followed (with the exception of a few amazing modern remasters). The only real pitfall imo, is that some cd players can’t properly decode those early pre-emphasis cds, and because of that they end up sounding very thin. Great video!
I hate when the record company messes with the track listing or running order. I’ve see Side 2 of vinyl first on a CD followed by Side 1, and it was on purpose because they printed the track listing reversed on the back cover.
Nice video Brendon. To add to your frustration with the different CD packaging, in Japan, cardboard mini LP CDs of 7" and 10" are coming out. I recently bought the 40th anniversary edition of Toto IV and it comes in a miniature 7" LP packaging (exactly the size of a 45 rpm vinyl sleeve). It has a lot of extra material such as a poster, replicas of Toto's tickets, replicas of the singles released there, a tour program and a booklet with the chronology of the artists with which the members of Toto participated. The album includes the inner sleeve identical to the vinyl and the album comes to be embedded in a cardboard disk that simulates a black LP. The truth is that the edition is very impressive. I don't know why deep down I would like this type of packaging to be taken by the western record labels. There is a video of a user who does an unboxing of this Toto edition. There are also 7" cardboard versions of Santana, Pink Floyd and even Taylor Swift. And recently a 10" CD from Ariana Grande came out, but I don't like it so I won't buy it.
I don't know if you mentioned it, but I hate when the text on the spine is upside-down... I agree, it is too many different formats...My favourite is the I digipack with plastic tray.
Oh, and here's another thing about certain digipacks which bugs the shit out of me. I got a CD the other day. I opened it up to rip it to my PC, then I replaced it afterwards. I closed the pack, and then it just sort of flopped open again. Not fully open, but when I just put it down on the table, it didn't stay properly closed. It just sort of flapped slightly open. These things are not built with long term in mind.
I thought I was the only one that was bugged by the littlest things when it came to media! LOL Preach man! I never had one of those green colored cd cases, though I think I had some other colors. All of the things you have mentioned have bugged me, though some more than others. I would still take vinyl over cds in terms of nostalgia and also some of the fun little quirks and extras that would come with albums. For instance, there was a remastered Hard Days' Night and Help that actually had different songs from the original vinyls that I had. I do not have the scope of your collection (somewhere around 1300 cds - I didn't get a machine until 1990 so, 1000 LPs, who knows how many cassettes - thousands but a lot are home-made, not commercial). My craziness was in video even though I am a music-phile more than movie-phile actually. I have somewhere up to 50,000 VHS tapes and now maybe 2500 DVDs (combo of mostly regular dvds and sets and some blu-rays and a few 3D ones - I am not going to 4K at this point - too old a broad for that!).
72 Seasons and Ace Frehley Anomaly are the stupidest packaging. I just put them in a jewel case and don’t even want to deal that mess. Also can’t stand a lot of the things you mentioned. My first problem with the size thing that I remember was Rush Feedback. At that time I had portable drawers where each cd fit individual in place. Feedback didn’t. Also many of the Rush seem like they were one of the first ones I remember that just had it where it slid in out instead of being in a tray. At first I would also put those in a jewel case but now so many are having no tray I just gave up 😡🙄
Agree here with you, i hate the smaller artwork too also i think vinyl sounds so much better because the sound is so much more fuller, whereas the compact disc, CD actually takes away some of the sound. Imo
I do a hundred percent care about the details you speak of though concerning re-issues. It is a simple thing where if the re-issues don't maintain their quality that's not kewl or good, eh!
I don't mind digipaks, but I do wish an industry standard had been set. It all ran wild in the 90s and early 00s lol. What about very old CDs where the CD logo is printed on the album art? Cute and nostalgic, or annoying? I had to replace a super jewelcase recently, but I lucked out and found a random $1 compilation in one. Seems that some top list comps in the late 00s were released in SJCs, so it might be worth looking through bargain bins.
I agree pretty much with everything you pointed out Brendon. Vinyl will always beat CD when it comes to artwork, as for quality of CD packages yes they seem to vary a lot. I hate Digipacks that have shrink wrap tightly wrapped on them..as it always creases the spine of the cover. I had that recently with the Pyromania Deluxe, very annoying. I don't mind swapping out Cases with CD's but I will always try and find a period correct case, if its from say the 90's or something....I will go to a second hand shop, find an old case that matches that's in great condition and swap it out :)
Things I hate: 1) Credits not included on reissues. 2) Unipacks were you have to pull the cd from the inside. 3) Poorly remasters although this can apply to other medium. 4) No track listing on outside (Tower of Power did this on one indie release) 5) Cd-r's are unacceptable. They could have made cd packaging the same size as that of vinyl. They did have longbox but it wasn't designed to house the disc after playing. Some of these issues aren't unique to one given format.
I love CDs, but I’ve always hated the jewel cases. Never liked them. I really do like the Japanese mini-LP format (but not the import prices). I also enjoy Demon Edsel’s 7” CD packaging (but I think I’m alone on that).
Sometimes when the new cd comes it comes in two formats Jewel case or Digipak with bonus tracks, now I love the Jewel case, but I end up getting the Digipak because of the bonus tracks. I also love the Digi book version. Then there's the Digipak where the CD has to be retrieved from the inside by the spine & sometimes if there's a booklet that is by the spine as well. So many pro's & cons but that won't stop from buying CDs.
I have a couple “Target Label” CD’s from when they were first coming out (two Made In West Germany By PolyGram and one Made In Japan), and those have much better sound than anyone remembers (and the Japan CD was one of the earliest Digitally Remastered titles available - Jimi Hendrix’ “Kiss The Sky” from 1984, Reprise Records).
Yeah, I'm sure digipacks are better for the environment or something,and they're cheaper for postage, but I've never liked them. I put my first album out 10 years ago, and that came out in a standard jewel case, which I thought was cool. And as you say, you can easily swap out bits of the case if needed. .. Then the record label moved over to digipacks. The first one we had was kind of cool, because the disc and the booklet both sat in their own wallets. While they were kind of tricky to remove, it was also impossible for them to fall out. ... Then for the next one we the one that just has little cut out bits that the disc and the booklet are supposed to sit in. ... Occasionally with one of my other bands, they'd get albums which weren't shrink rapped. So, on the merch desk, people would pick them up and take a look. ... At least two or three times, I've found a loose disc, or a loose booklet floating around in the merch box. That kind of case is just not fit for purpose. And presumably,somebody must have ended up with a case without a CD / booklet in it, which is really bad. Even if I found the disc and replaced it, chances are that it got scratched while rolling round in the box. And that's something you didn't mention. Do you remember those adverts back in the early 90s or late 80s, about how durable CDs are. I'm sure I remember one where they put jam on the disc, cleaned it off, then it played fine. ... BS! LOL. The amount of times I've either had to re buy an album, or just chuck one away. These things, especially back in the day, were so easy to damage. LOL
If I wanted a burned copy I'd buy the FLACs and do it myself. I have the CD labels and the printer templates I designed for jewel cases, I've done it plenty of times.
Absolutely agree with digipacks. Some scourer the cd when you pull out the cd ie reissue of "Venus and Mars" by Wings. Also the spine fraying and fluffing at the edges. And the really cheap cd single like packaging of new cd's. I hate cd's with black covers or black page inserts. The fingerprints stay on the pages.
I HATE that plastic c.d. cases are even called, "jewel" cases. I firmly believe that was started back in the day to make them seem more important...yet they are and are the best amongst all packaging for c.d.s. It was and is confusing in my mind when it comes to regular folks who don't pay attention to things and details. I NEVER use that term and if I do say it sarcastically, lol.
I hear ya about the cheap packaging. I think you used a John Mellencamp cd as an example. I mean, when I get a cd like that, I think "this is ridiculous, when I could just stream this album for next to nothing". But I would rather support my fav musicians and bands, so I will keep buying cd's. I do like the variety of how cd's are packaged. I mean variety is the spice of life! Thanks for your observations, Brendon.
I miss the impact of the album artwork which never translated well to the cd size. On the other hand, I like the compact size of cds for storage. I especially like the mini lp cds which replicate the original album. They take up even less storage space, they don’t crack and break like jewel cases. Unfortunately, they tend to be very expensive with limited runs so it’s hard to justify the cost unless you are already familiar with the music and know you love it.
I remember in the eighties how MCA removed all of the back artwork and had their CDs have a weird pinkish color with just the track listing. Most of my Lynyrd Skynyrd and Olivia Newton-John ones are that way. And I think Three Dog Night as well. But at the time, I was just elated to have them on disc.
About "Screw It". Brendon, In my opinion, it was the only CD the fantastic Rock Candy Records got wrong. On Survivor's album, "Too Hot To Sleep", they made a mistake in the album name in the background art (side) of the album, but they corrected it. This “Screw It” deserves a new pressing, more faithful to the original, as it is a great job!
I have 4 additional in my collection that are that way. However I spoke to Rock Candy and they have since fixed the art. They are very response to the issue. I still stand by them as the best reissue company out there today.
@@BrendonSnyder Me too. I live in Brazil and import when I can. I have the complete Survivor collection and a few others, like Cobra, Strangeways, Lita Ford, etc. They are all incredible and it’s worth having the complete collection! Thanks for the information, friend.
Totally agree about the cardboard covers on the jewel case cds, & the different size cardboard thing, one of the.worse things is the thin plastic hinge covers late break so easy as do the teeth that hold the cd, and some are really a tight fit and have cracked a few cds getting them out, then some ate not tight as well and full out, mo re so on double or multi cds with the open left or riight swing trays. But thet are gettng harder to find now anyway, with the slow banning of plastic, are coming in digi packs, and they can get ripped and tear so easy were the cd is slipped into the tight space.
Not too worked up about the lack of size for graphics and art work. Vinyl with poor or minimal art/graphics was common. The commonly used cheap plastic used in the jewel cases are what gets me.
Most CD's I've bought in the last few years have been from Japan, and the quality of the plastic in the jewel cases, especially in 2- or 3-disc sets, is better than anywhere else. My biggest issue with CD's is, and has always been, the tiny font size of the text in the booklet. It really doesn't have to be so small.
