Album 15

[Routine Builder]

Originally Posted by MSPKYE

. Plus last time out there was the satisfaction of smashing Steps again with their 25 different formats like Karaoke versions, or versions with individual member’s faces on or H's armpit farts version.

When your competition is Steps, is it really worth bragging about? I bought an extra vinyl to help them get that No.1 (not going to count the years it's been) but at some point you have to give up the ghost.

[savemejebus]

Originally Posted by MSPKYE

....I think there’s still something in having the kudos of a number one album and that photo with the little statuette. .

For any band there might be kudos if an album actually gets there on merit, otherwise it's just like an unfunny version of this

[IntlDebris]

Yeah, to be honest, the whole multiple-formats thing has basically rendered the album charts meaningless these days too. I know it's pretty much the only way labels can justify even putting out physical stuff these days, but I actually loathe the fact that they're taking advantage of completist fans by churning out multiple versions that will mostly just sit on shelves, never listened to. That level of collecting is great if people are tracking down alternate versions that have come about accidentally (foreign versions with different art and tracklists, running order different to fit on the cassette, etc.), but when they're just being made as identical but on a different colour piece of plastic, purely because they know there are people who'll feel compelled to buy them, I can't imagine taking any pride in that at all. Congratulations on having more obsessive, neurodivergent fans than another band, great stuff.

This isn't just a dig at the Manics, but the entire record industry at the moment, even a lot of indies do it and I fucking hate it. It also totally skews vinyl sales, so we don't really have a clue how many people are buying it, just that it's selling lots, partially because most releases will have hundreds of people shelling out for five musically identical versions.

[meanestgreenmeme]

Originally Posted by ForeverDelayed.com

It’s really not that big of a deal.

Agree, I was very very drunk. Ha.

[Son of Stopped]

People Ruin Paintings made it to... 77! That's a few up from HIPS isn't it?
https://www.officialcharts.com/songs...uin-paintings/

[TheUglyLie]

Originally Posted by IntlDebris

Yeah, to be honest, the whole multiple-formats thing has basically rendered the album charts meaningless these days too. I know it's pretty much the only way labels can justify even putting out physical stuff these days, but I actually loathe the fact that they're taking advantage of completist fans by churning out multiple versions that will mostly just sit on shelves, never listened to. That level of collecting is great if people are tracking down alternate versions that have come about accidentally (foreign versions with different art and tracklists, running order different to fit on the cassette, etc.), but when they're just being made as identical but on a different colour piece of plastic, purely because they know there are people who'll feel compelled to buy them, I can't imagine taking any pride in that at all. Congratulations on having more obsessive, neurodivergent fans than another band, great stuff.

This isn't just a dig at the Manics, but the entire record industry at the moment, even a lot of indies do it and I fucking hate it. It also totally skews vinyl sales, so we don't really have a clue how many people are buying it, just that it's selling lots, partially because most releases will have hundreds of people shelling out for five musically identical versions.

I quite like the way Relapse Records do a lot of their releases. They have maybe 4 or 5 vinyl colour ways of an album, all really cool, and they have a certain number of each (206 of one, 542 of another etc), which you know before buying. They’re pretty good at telling roughly how well the album will sell, so there tends to be enough to go round. But I’ve never felt compelled to buy all the different versions. I think it’s because I get to choose my preferred version, be it colour, or its number, or both, it satisfies the collecting urge in one go.

Obviously with ‘bigger bands’ these things get more diluted or complicated, so it not always easy. But hopefully the industry might find a happy medium.

[Scarecrow]

Multiple formats and endless vinyl variants are part of the reason I stopped collecting. It became so expensive and I simply cared less about owning physical possessions that I’d inevitably cart from one home to another as they take up space and gather dust.

Once upon a time it was a thrill to browse record fairs and independent record shops and find the out of print singles of a band and I’d collect back catalogues that way, but now, I sell more than I buy.

Interesting you mention Relapse Records. I have friends who collect some of the various issues of metal and hardcore bands on Relapse, Sargent House, Thrill Jockey, Hydra Head and so on. Sometimes they’ll post photos of twenty versions of the same album on every colour vinyl. Seems like such a costly hobby. They clearly find some satisfaction in it but it makes me glad I outgrew it.

[James]

For the first time I haven’t ordered the Deluxe CD with the demos. The price difference between that and the standard is wild and I’ve realised that in my adult, child filled life that I just won’t listen to the second CD more than once. Feels weird not be be completist though 😂

[Europa Gluten Free]

Don't tell anyone but I haven't bought a physical release since Futurology. And that album is still in its plastic.

[Routine Builder]

Honestly, I just make do with a single vinyl bought from an independent store. Nice to have a physical copy with the art enlarged to a reasonable scale. Unwrap the plastic, have a look at the liner and never give it a second thought. I've bought enough and been to ebough gigs to not be bothered by skipping out on multiple versions or buying the singles/JP albums to hear all the b-sides.

[Routine Builder]

Originally Posted by Europa Gluten Free

Don't tell anyone but I haven't bought a physical release since Futurology. And that album is still in its plastic.

[everlasting]

2 CD and HMV vinyl for me. I played the CD of TUVL album today through and loved it. Forgot how enjoyable it is, and Afterending I played 3 times on repeat as I love it

[Son of Stopped]

For all the free pass I personally hate that jangly 80's style! I'm still ok with CT_ because if they're mining the 80's and "Art Pop" then maybe they reach "You Win Again" by the Bee Gees territory?
And yes, I hate the Bee Gees as well but "You Win Again" is amazing.
Shit this is an expectation post. Damn.
I've been listening to TUVL and the recent reissues more than the others.
Should have just posted about the amount of shit my "Hate the 80's" mindset would have to eat.

[rosetree]

Happy birthday to Nicky Wire✨️

[Porco]

Japanese CD bonus tracks confirmed, as suspected it’s the tracks on the UK bonus 7inch:


13. Let the Light Return
14. Johatsu