NationStates Jolt Archive

So I picked up the new tool album yesterday along with Slayer's classic Reign in Blood. Tool's new album has built into the case a stereoscopic viewer that allows several pictures in the case to be viewed as three dimensional images. Not only is this really neat, but perhaps building extras like this into the actual CD packaging can discourage music piracy on the internet because while you can download the music, you can't download the CD packaging.

So I picked up the new tool album yesterday along with Slayer's classic Reign in Blood. Tool's new album has built into the case a stereoscopic viewer that allows several pictures in the case to be viewed as three dimensional images. Not only is this really neat, but perhaps building extras like this into the actual CD packaging can discourage music piracy on the internet because while you can download the music, you can't download the CD packaging.That sounds cool. I think this idea is also shown by 'enhanced CDs', the content of which are rarely on the net.

I picked up the new CD, too. Packaging's cool. Too bad the CD itself sucks.

I picked up the new CD, too. Packaging's cool. Too bad the CD itself sucks.I'd be happy to take it off your hands for you. :D

I picked up the new CD, too. Packaging's cool. Too bad the CD itself sucks.
I've only listened to the first couple of songs so far. They seem ok, but not as groundbreaking and interesting as previous tool albums. Still better than most of the crap masquerading as music today.

I picked up the new CD, too. Packaging's cool. Too bad the CD itself sucks.
:eek: Blasphemy! It's amazing! If it were released by almost any other band it would easily be the best album they'd released, but it's only Tool's 3rd best. Out of 4.

:eek: Blasphemy! It's amazing! If it were released by almost any other band it would easily be the best album they'd released, but it's only Tool's 3rd best. Out of 4.They've got 5 CDs out. Maybe you're forgetting Opiate?

man i thought the new album was "OK" but now its sooo goood, , its pure brilliance, you just have to get used to it! i like the case too

They've got 5 CDs out. Maybe you're forgetting Opiate?
Opiate's only an EP, isn't it? You're right, I did leave that out. It's also better than 10000 Days, though.

Opiate's only an EP, isn't it? You're right, I did leave that out. It's also better than 10000 Days, though.
What's the difference between an EP and a regular CD?

Opiate's only an EP, isn't it? You're right, I did leave that out. It's also better than 10000 Days, though.

The order is:

Opiate
Aenima
Undertow
Lateralus and 10,000 days equally.

But the packaging on 10,000 days certainly kicks butt.

A general question, though: Do CDs in the UK and US often come in little cardboard cases (similar to 10,000 days) with posters and stickers, etc. inside? I've bought a few imported albums lately like that, and I was quite impressed. Beats our shitty "plastic case and tiny booklet" approach.

Do CDs in the US often come in little cardboard cases (similar to 10,000 days) with posters and stickers, etc. inside? I've bought a few imported albums lately like that, and I was quite impressed. Beats our shitty "plastic case and tiny booklet" approach.No, it's usually only "plastic case and tiny booklet".

What's the difference between an EP and a regular CD?

Well, if you discount the secret track, Opiate is pretty short...

No, it's usually only "plastic case and tiny booklet".

Well, obviously i'm getting into the right bands, then. :p

What's the difference between an EP and a regular CD?It's hard to say, but I'd say it's a combination of the number of tracks and the length of the EP or CD.

Well, obviously i'm getting into the right bands, then. :pHeh. Which albums have you imported recently? Perhaps you got special releases...occasionally there will be limited edition releases with extra stuff in them.

It's hard to say, but I'd say it's a combination of the number of tracks and the length of the EP or CD.
Thanks.

Well, if you discount the secret track, Opiate is pretty short...
Thanks.

I think this album is ace. The 3d thing is cool too. I downloaded the album then bought it when it was released, partly for the better sound quality than mp3s, and partly cos they deserve it. I didnt even know about the goggles till I got it home. (I saw them obviously but didnt know what they were for).

But I do agree that people will buy things if the companies just make them worth having. fuck all this copy protection that drove me to piracy in the first place, just release a high quality product with dandy extras for people who buy it.

Like this HDDVD thing. I have the capacity to watch HD, but they want people to have a special cable and tv or it downgrades the picture. so I will have to download HD content instead. nice work preventing piracy. Idiots.

Heh. Which albums have you imported recently? Perhaps you got special releases...occasionally there will be limited edition releases with extra stuff in them.

Nebula's Atomic Ritual, Clutch's selftitled and live album, and a Candlemass compilation + DVD. They all had posters, and the Clutch one had band stickers too.

Nebula's Atomic Ritual, Clutch's selftitled and live album, and a Candlemass compilation + DVD. They all had posters, and the Clutch one had band stickers too.Hm. I'll have to keep that in mind when looking for those records. Are you considering it a poster when it's the opposite side of the lyrics sheet?

Thanks.

As far as i'm aware, the distinction started because Extended Play vinyl records were usually smaller physically when compared to Long Play ones.

The reason they're still around is because smaller bands may not have the budget or material to compile a full length album, but still want to release something. Or maybe already established artists want to release some material that didn't cut it for one of their full-length albums.

Hm. I'll have to keep that in mind when looking for those records. Are you considering it a poster when it's the opposite side of the lyrics sheet?

Nope, an actual poster, slightly bigger than A4 size, within a slot in the cardboard packaging and the lyrics booklet separate. I'd take a picture to show you what I mean, but my webcam doesn't work anymore.

Nope, an actual poster, slightly bigger than A4 size, within a slot in the cardboard packaging and the lyrics booklet separate. I'd take a picture to show you what I mean, but my webcam doesn't work anymore.It's okay, I think I get it. That's awesome. Usually I just get stuff with extra DVDs that I never watch.

It's okay, I think I get it. That's awesome. Usually I just get stuff with extra DVDs that I never watch.

lol, I have a couple of those. "making of" documentaries and the like. I usually watch live DVDs, though.

I was pretty impressed with the posters, anyway. I'd love to see that become a common thing, because posters from some of the bands I like are damned hard to come by, if they exist at all.

lol, I have a couple of those. "making of" documentaries and the like. I usually watch live DVDs, though.Yep, or the Placebo Meds album has a DVD with regular tracks on it, but I would still need to put it in a DVD player to use it.

I was pretty impressed with the posters, anyway. I'd love to see that become a common thing, because posters from some of the bands I like are damned hard to come by, if they exist at all.That would be pretty cool. The magazine Metal Maniacs has good posters, though unfortunately when I tried to subscribe they sent me Metal Edge which isn't as good.

What's the difference between an EP and a regular CD?

An EP is 7" across and played at 33rpm, that's what.

An EP is 7" across and played at 33rpm, that's what.I imagine he meant that he wanted to know what the difference was between a CDEP and a CDLP.

An EP is 7" across and played at 33rpm, that's what.
How do you fit a 7" across disk into your CD player and how do you get it to spin at 33rpm?

How do you fit a 7" across disk into your CD player and how do you get it to spin at 33rpm?

You don't.


Kids today.

Yep, or the Placebo Meds album has a DVD with regular tracks on it, but I would still need to put it in a DVD player to use it.

Mine didn't come with a DVD...

Although it has very irritating copy protection, and the notice informing me of this was cleverly obscured with a security tag (you know those big stickers with the electronic tags inside them?) when I went to buy it. And then it says that the distributor or manufacturer won't refund it.

Anyway. The copy protection means that I have to try it several times in my CD player before it'll actually work, and putting it in my PC results in it wanting to install "monitoring software", or something. :mad:

That would be pretty cool. The magazine Metal Maniacs has good posters, though unfortunately when I tried to subscribe they sent me Metal Edge which isn't as good.

I generally don't buy magazines. I don't really have enough money spare for them, particularly import ones (i'd rather buy CDs with the money), and reviews, tour info and such I can usually get off the internet for free.

You don't.


Kids today.
So you load it into kids in order to listen to it? I still have to ask, how do you fit a 7" disk into a kid?

Mine didn't come with a DVD...Yeah, it was the special limited edition or some such nonsense. I really only bought it because the store had a sale that week.

Although it has very irritating copy protection, and the notice informing me of this was cleverly obscured with a security tag (you know those big stickers with the electronic tags inside them?) when I went to buy it. And then it says that the distributor or manufacturer won't refund it.

Anyway. The copy protection means that I have to try it several times in my CD player before it'll actually work, and putting it in my PC results in it wanting to install "monitoring software", or something. :mad:That sucks. I don't notice that stuff, although now that you mention it I think I remember it saying that it was copy protected.

I generally don't buy magazines. I don't really have enough money spare for them, particularly import ones (i'd rather buy CDs with the money), and reviews, tour info and such I can usually get off the internet for free.Ah, fair enough. I like Metal Maniacs because it introduces me to new bands that I'm unfamiliar with.

I'd be happy to take it off your hands for you. :D

It's just $10 at Target, my friend. :)

An EP is 7" across and played at 33rpm, that's what.

And we'll be using this post to figure out who the oldsters are. ;)

I'm one of 'em.

It's just $10 at Target, my friend. :)Yeah, but Target is evil.

And we'll be using this post to figure out who the oldsters are. ;)

I'm one of 'em.

Get you and your new-fangled eight track cartridge player.

Of course, for completeness's sake an EP can also be 10" across and played at 45rpm, but this could confuse the young'uns.

Yeah, but Target is evil.

http://www.hinkybox.com/images/jpg/target_store.jpg

Get you and your new-fangled eight track cartridge player.

The first music I owned was on 8-track, along with some 45s. :p

http://www.hinkybox.com/images/jpg/target_store.jpgAhhh! The beast of the devil! <Flees>

http://www.hinkybox.com/images/jpg/target_store.jpg
Proof that target is evil. They spray-painted a defenseless puppy's eye with their logo!

I'd say the order of tool albums is

Lateralus
Aenema
10,000 Days (if only because of Wings for Marie)
Undertow
Opiate


I can't put salival in since, while it does have some good live tracks... meh.

The first music I owned was on 8-track, along with some 45s. :p
My granfather had a few 78s. I think you could kill someone with one of those.

My granfather had a few 78s. I think you could kill someone with one of those.

Only by shattering them and cutting them with the sharp edge, I woul think, unless you consider dropping a shedload of them onto someone to be valid.

I've still got a handful of 78's - some jazz, some skiffle, a few laughter records.

Mine didn't come with a DVD...

Although it has very irritating copy protection, and the notice informing me of this was cleverly obscured with a security tag (you know those big stickers with the electronic tags inside them?) when I went to buy it. And then it says that the distributor or manufacturer won't refund it.

Anyway. The copy protection means that I have to try it several times in my CD player before it'll actually work, and putting it in my PC results in it wanting to install "monitoring software", or something. :mad:
Hmmm...the copy protection could be the reason I couldn't download a decent copy of it. Might be forced to go buy it then. :(

I remember Kasabian's debut album was one disc that read as a CD one side and a DVD the other. Both were crap, but that's besides the point.

Hmmm...the copy protection could be the reason I couldn't download a decent copy of it. Might be forced to go buy it then. :(

It's not that good anyway. It's OK, I suppose, but it's one of those albums that i'll listen to 4 or 5 times after I first get it and then leave it on the shelf.

I always get annoyed when bands make no effort to put anything cool (even if it's just lyrics or something) on their album sleeve, especially when they're supposed to be encouraging us not to just download.

It's not that good anyway. It's OK, I suppose, but it's one of those albums that i'll listen to 4 or 5 times after I first get it and then leave it on the shelf.
So...worth downloading, but not worth buying...

Ah, well. I was disappointed by Sleeping With Ghosts, so I'll just go listen to Black Market Music and Without You I'm Nothing and wallow in Placebo nostalgia.

So...worth downloading, but not worth buying...

Ah, well. I was disappointed by Sleeping With Ghosts, so I'll just go listen to Black Market Music and Without You I'm Nothing and wallow in Placebo nostalgia.

Well, even Sleeping With Ghosts is better, although I actually didn't mind that album.

(oh yeah, and speaking of downloading I checked out Lacuna Coil properly too. Not bad.)

Well, even Sleeping With Ghosts is better, although I actually didn't mind that album.

(oh yeah, and speaking of downloading I checked out Lacuna Coil properly too. Not bad.)
I didn't mind it, but I didn't really like it.

I think LC are doing a world tour (except America) this autumn, so if you like 'em, go see 'em. Plus you can get up close to see Cristina Scabbia ;)

I think LC are doing a world tour (except America) this autumn, so if you like 'em, go see 'em. Plus you can get up close to see Cristina Scabbia ;)

Oooh. ;)

So...worth downloading, but not worth buying...

Ah, well. I was disappointed by Sleeping With Ghosts, so I'll just go listen to Black Market Music and Without You I'm Nothing and wallow in Placebo nostalgia.


I only own Without You I'm Nothing, and I've played it to death. I listened to 'Meds' on a listening post and didn't think to much of it. If I buy another, which one should it be?

I only own Without You I'm Nothing, and I've played it to death. I listened to 'Meds' on a listening post and didn't think to much of it. If I buy another, which one should it be?
Black Market Music. I think it's their best, though Kanabia disagrees.

Their self-titled debut was pretty good, and WYIM is kinda the middle ground between that and Black Market Music. If you like rocky-pop, get their debut, if you prefer something darker and...insidious, get BMM.

Black Market Music. I think it's their best, though Kanabia disagrees.

Their self-titled debut was pretty good, and WYIM is kinda the middle ground between that and Black Market Music. If you like rocky-pop, get their debut, if you prefer something darker and...insidious, get BMM.

Well, I think i'd say to get BMM after WYIN as well. Their self-titled is pretty good, but most people prefer BMM anyway.

BMM it is then, when I get round to it.

So...worth downloading, but not worth buying...I'd say it's worth buying used, if you can find a good copy.

BMM it is then, when I get round to it.I guess I'm in the minority, I suggest getting Placebo next. I guess you can get that after BMM. (Nice of me to volunteer you for that, eh? :)

I guess I'm in the minority, I suggest getting Placebo next. I guess you can get that after BMM. (Nice of me to volunteer you for that, eh? :)

Perhaps I'll end up getting both :) It'll probably depend on which one I can find cheaper first actually.

I'd say it's worth buying used, if you can find a good copy.
It'd probably still cost me around £6 ($10). I'd be wary of spending that much on an album of similar quality to Sleeping With Ghosts, so if it's not as good as that, I probably won't bother.

I don't care. Its not like the RIAA controls what happens in Poland. And no, I am not a music pirate.

The order is:

Opiate
Aenima
Undertow
Lateralus and 10,000 days equally.

But the packaging on 10,000 days certainly kicks butt.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree here. imho it's:
Aenima (way out in front)
10 000 days (just edging)
Undertow (due to the improved production value on 10000)
Opiate
Lateralus (a bit bloated and self-indulgent for my liking, but as someone mentioned, an album most bands today would kill to have put out)


The packaging does indeed deliver a calcitrate to the derriere.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree here. imho it's:
Aenima (way out in front)
10 000 days (just edging)
Undertow (due to the improved production value on 10000)
Opiate
Lateralus (a bit bloated and self-indulgent for my liking, but as someone mentioned, an album most bands today would kill to have put out)


They're all great albums (though I agree with the description of Lateralus totally), and I probably should mention that I could go either way on Aenima and Opiate depending on my mood. 46&2 would be my favourite Tool song, probably. And I have many...heh, fond memories of Aenima involving a certain inhaled substance. :p

At least their not using this anti-copying malware called starforce.

At least their not using this anti-copying malware called starforce.
Which created so much crap that Ubisoft dropped it an Galactic Civilization II is advertising that it doesn't use copy protection. Honestly, all the big business asshats should stop pretending the people who download things "illegally" were going to buy them in the first place. In fact, game companies should offer full games, or near full games, with some sort of protection in order to promote them because demos are becoming more and more crap the bigger games get.

So I picked up the new tool album yesterday along with Slayer's classic Reign in Blood. Tool's new album has built into the case a stereoscopic viewer that allows several pictures in the case to be viewed as three dimensional images.
Did they get Alex Grey to do it again?

Did they get Alex Grey to do it again?
I don't know. Who's Alex Grey? Some of the artwork looks a little like the artwork from Lateralus

I don't know. Who's Alex Grey? Some of the artwork looks a little like the artwork from Lateralus
He did the art for Lateralus and I think Aenima though I'm not sure.

He did the art for Lateralus and I think Aenima though I'm not sure.
Oh, thanks. I would think so. Some of it reminds me of the artwork on Lateralus.