Treasure Maps To Audio Unnecessity
I've noticed that I've been experiencing a strange dilemma in the past year or so as it pertains to new music. As much as the world seems to love their digital downloads, I can't help but feel as though the age of iTunes is destroying the physical attraction of the album format. I think I was naive enough to believe that downloads would exists comfortably alongside compact discs and vinyl. While vinyl is likely to remain for collectors, I wonder sometimes if the day of the CD disappearing is not too far off.
Since I can remember, I have always been a fan of album artwork. I've lost count of the albums that instantly spring to mind upon seeing a portion of the cover art. So many classic albums exist part and parcel alongside the artwork that calls them to mind. Almost anyone on the planet would recognize Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" just by seeing the triangle. For the more underground savvy, the mushroom cloud from "The Age Of Quarrel" doesn't need much explanation.
Maybe I've glossed over it in the past, but in this time when downloads are overtaking physical product, I have noticed a weird trend in the compact disc world - annoying packaging. Perhaps I just never noticed it before. It is entirely possible though that this is a new effort to make buying music in a physical form more attractive. Either way, it's something I've noticed more often in recent months.
A perfect example of this phenom is the latest Clutch album "Strange Cousins From The West". The CD case is a cardboard tri-fold jacket encased in a die-cut sleeve. Upon first glance, I uttered "Man, this is probably the best packaging I've seen in years." out loud. The jacket folds out with each panel having it's own separate die-cut panel housing the lyric booklet and disc. While I don't have a price point in mind, I do know that all the die-cutting is extremely expensive. At a glance, it makes you appreciate the amount of effort that went into bringing the product to the masses. That is until you try getting the CD from it's lair while driving to work.
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, you have to acknowledge creativity and craftsmanship. Everything from the artwork to the perfect cut on the sleeve's window begs to be admired. My gripe is that more often, I end up buying a CD I want to listen to immediately, only to have to wade through a case that requires a scalpel to open without causing damage. Once I wade beyond the delicate casing, I have to remove the bonus treasure map and recite the secret phrase to unlock the special safe just to hear new music. As much as I appreciate the effort of artistic endeavor, these situations make a great case for downloading your music while grooming your pet hamster.
Playlist (8/4/09)
The Sulker - live demos
Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West
Zozobra - Bird Of Prey
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today
Since I can remember, I have always been a fan of album artwork. I've lost count of the albums that instantly spring to mind upon seeing a portion of the cover art. So many classic albums exist part and parcel alongside the artwork that calls them to mind. Almost anyone on the planet would recognize Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" just by seeing the triangle. For the more underground savvy, the mushroom cloud from "The Age Of Quarrel" doesn't need much explanation.
Maybe I've glossed over it in the past, but in this time when downloads are overtaking physical product, I have noticed a weird trend in the compact disc world - annoying packaging. Perhaps I just never noticed it before. It is entirely possible though that this is a new effort to make buying music in a physical form more attractive. Either way, it's something I've noticed more often in recent months.
A perfect example of this phenom is the latest Clutch album "Strange Cousins From The West". The CD case is a cardboard tri-fold jacket encased in a die-cut sleeve. Upon first glance, I uttered "Man, this is probably the best packaging I've seen in years." out loud. The jacket folds out with each panel having it's own separate die-cut panel housing the lyric booklet and disc. While I don't have a price point in mind, I do know that all the die-cutting is extremely expensive. At a glance, it makes you appreciate the amount of effort that went into bringing the product to the masses. That is until you try getting the CD from it's lair while driving to work.
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, you have to acknowledge creativity and craftsmanship. Everything from the artwork to the perfect cut on the sleeve's window begs to be admired. My gripe is that more often, I end up buying a CD I want to listen to immediately, only to have to wade through a case that requires a scalpel to open without causing damage. Once I wade beyond the delicate casing, I have to remove the bonus treasure map and recite the secret phrase to unlock the special safe just to hear new music. As much as I appreciate the effort of artistic endeavor, these situations make a great case for downloading your music while grooming your pet hamster.
Playlist (8/4/09)
The Sulker - live demos
Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West
Zozobra - Bird Of Prey
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today
All the elaborate packaging in the world won't stop me from looking at it one single time before letting it sit on a shelf for eternity.
ReplyDeleteI also have a lot of grooming to do.
Poor CD.....just wanting a hug.
ReplyDelete