Multiple Editions CD

[Griffin]

A number of new releases, most recently the Smashing Pumpkins album, in addition to the regular version, came out in multiple "special" editions, each one with a different bonus track. I guess this is yet another attempt by the recording industry to try to recuperate some of the financial losses from illegal downloads.

Suppose that only one out of five people actually pay for the album. That one person usually is either a devoted fan or a collector. Now in order to recover the loss of revenue from the other four CD's that went unsold, they try to entice the one collector into buying not one but five slightly different versions of the same album. Are they trying to alienate whatever remains of their customer base? Why not put out one special limited edition of the CD with all the bonus tracks as a thank you to those who actually still pay for music, rather than trying to stick it to them by forcing them to buy the same CD five times if they want all the additional tracks?

 

[azsouthendzone]

I am a huge Pumpkins fan and bought the Target version yesterday because they were the first store open on my way to work. I'll download the other bonus tracks. That was probably the first CD I have bought since Jimmy Eat World Futures. If all CD's were around $5 they would fly off the shelves. There is just no incentive to buy.

 

[Yotesfan85044]

I bought Zeitgeist at Best Buy yesterday for $10. It came with one of the bonus tracks. I downloaded the rest of the bonus tracks off the newsgroups. There is a special edition Zeitgeist for double the price, but the only extra you get is a 60-something page booklet of photos. yawn... No bonus tracks. I would have considered buying a special edition if it came with a bonus dvd containing videos or a digital surround 5.1 mix of the cd, like the special edition NIN came out with for "With Teeth".

 

[Toothbrush]

I bought the Target, Best Buy, and limited edition book version. When I get paid again I plan on buying the HMV version with the green cover, and the standard version.

I'm a sucker.