I did somethingazing this weekend. Something I’ve not done in years.
I purchased a music CD! Listen up Record Companies, this post is for you too (skip to the Closing Thoughts if you don’t have time Mr. Big Shot)!
Now, don’t jump to the conclusion that I’d rather download an entire album off K@zaa than pay for it.
The reason is this: there are very few Albums (CDs) that I want every track from, so if I only like one song, I get the single.
I’ve always been that way, since the 80′s and the dawn of the 12″ single. Back then, before CDs, if you liked a song on the radio, such as “Say It Isn’t So” by Hall and Small, then chances where there was an even longer version, a much cooler dance mix of it on a 12″ single (usually by Arthur Baker, Jellybean or Shep Pettibone). So I’d buy those rather than an entire album.
Eventually CD singles came along, and gave you even more goodies. Usually several “re-mixes” and often times, “B-sides” or un-released tracks that were recorded for the album but were left off. Pet Shop Boys were notorious for this and eventually released a CD of just their “B-sides”
So, what was able to break my CD buying silence?
MOBY!
18 B Sides +DVD)
Ever since “GO!” sampled the “Laura Palmer Theme from Twin Peaks” I was hooked on Moby’s music, but kinda forgot about him. Then when “X-Files” used Moby’s “My Weakness” I had to seek it out and discovered the “Play” CD (which was used in about a million commercials and movies). A great CD but one I felt I’d heard so much of already, that I didn’t buy it. When “18″ came out, I was still stingy with my money.
I admit it, a CD has to be flat outazing or offer me something beyond my expectations for me to pony up the Bucks.
Well, 18 “B-sides +DVD” does just that.
Mini-Review:
Rather than having to resort to downloading illicit MP3s of his unreleased songs, or buying every CD single he’s released to get the “B-sides” they put them all on one CD. That there would have had me ready to buy it, but nooooo, they also put in a DVD! Yeah, a free DVD with the CD!! Not a bonus DVD, but +DVD. The difference is important, as the DVD is part of the package, not just a last minute add-on.
The package is sold in the USA in the music section of record stores, in a small jewel case with a swing out platter that has the CD on one side and the DVD on the other (I think in other countries it is sold as a DVD in a long box, with the audio CD being the Bonus). The CD has 13 tracks, which is good enough. That’s an hour and nine minutes of previously unreleased music! I love it when they fill a CD to the brim. One site said there were also four tracks on here that have never been released anywhere. Like I said, that there is enough to be a great value, but there is more! The DVD also has 18 live tracks (actually a mini-concert clocking in at over 1 hour, 14 mins), a 12-song 90 minute megamix and , 21 unreleased alternative/outtake songs plus many other non-musical goodies (one site said the DVD had a total of 6 hours of content!).
You can view the contents of the entire package here.
This is anazing set and all coolness aside, the music is very good. This is a nice companion to the “18″ CD as well as the “Play DVD.” I can’t believe I didn’t know about this, it has been out since November 2003. Guess I need to read Moby.com more often.
Closing Thoughts
Seriously, if record companies want to give people an incentive to buy a music CD, then this is the model to follow. All this for a mere $14.99? (was on sale at Sam Goody, your mileage may vary). How could fans of a given artist pass up a deal like this? K@zaa or not, it just wouldn’t be worth the effort to rebuild this all after downloading it. This is the sort of thing that will inject some life into stalled CD sales, not court battles over file-sharing.
More bang for the buck, that’s what sells.
Pardon my rant…..
If you like Moby, then this is a “must own.” If you don’t care for Moby, maybe you should buy it anyway. It might just encourage record companies to follow suit – that way, everybody wins!
Further Listening:
Moby.com’s Exclusive, non-free, track download
CD+DVD info from Moby.com
I love the idea!
http://www.buccho.com/archives/000025.html
Lin and I were out spending our Xmas money last night, and there were some CDs on the list as well as some DVD movies. We ended up getting just the movies, because CDs are SO much more expensive than DVDs … and there’s usually only one or two songs on each of them that we really want (which is why I’m into CD singles as well). I’m going to check out this set you got. Looks cool, and would be a great addition to the collection.
I LOVE Moby! This will be one CD I’m going to pick up too.
Thanks for the review!
I’ll just stick to buying my music predominantly via the iTunes Music Store. The album you just mentioned is just $9.99. Good price, I’d say, and in a convenient format.