Reissues Galore

Well here's the first rant. Here goes:

So lately, I've noticed the reissues in the world of music are starting to boom. I don't know if maybe this is because these deluxe editions are actually selling well or what, but there are some that I wonder, do we really need these released again? Here's some that I've seen lately that do seem a bit odd:

Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair: I didn't know this record was out of print because it seems to be one of those classic faves that people seem to rave about, but you've actually heard the record and you kind of have an idea, but you kind of don't and you sort of agree with what you heard about it, but maybe not. I think if I were a chick and had the same relationship issues I do now, I'd get it more. But not quite. Anyway- the reissue has like 3 extra tracks and better sound, and some other shit like that, but the biggest reason I wonder about it is that everytime I'm in the "P" section of my local store, there's like three or four copies of this album, five of Whip-Smart, and maybe one or two of Whitechocolatespaceegg. And it's hard to believe this so-called "classic" album somehow went out of print. Well believe it or not, Psychocandy was also out of print for a while too (I acquired mine on vinyl during this period as it was cheaper than the import cd copies).

Zeitgeist by The Smashing Pumpkins: This isn't exactly a great album, but it's not really as bad as everyone says it is - though alot seems to be directed at the marketing plan that there needs to be four different versions of that album, each different version from each different store with a bonus track and the standard one not having a bonus track at all. If that isn't bad enough, a few months later - comes another Best Buy version, with two of the three bonus tracks plus one bonus track that wasn't on the other ones and a DVD. I think anyone who actually bought the album did what I did - downloaded the extra tracks off some MP3 blog and added them to your iPod so they'd be there when you played the album, I suppose.

The Entire Elvis Costello Catalog: Alot of these albums by all means are totally essential - especially My Aim is True through Imperial Bedroom and King of America is decent too. Though the fact they have or will be reissued a third time, is rediculous. The first time it was a single disc affair with some bonus tracks. The 2nd time, it was the album on one disc, and the other songs on another disc - plus these were the cost of 1 CD so that was a pretty good deal. Then someone else acquired the rights to these and- then they were released as the "Deluxe Editions" - yes some of these run up to 30 dollars, with the album and bonus tracks on one disc, and some live shit on a 2nd disc, not to mention the release of these put the superior and cheaper Rhino editions out of print.

Anything with remastered audio and a 5.1 disc: 5.1 is not the future. It's lame. I don't know anyone that actually buys these and I never see them in any used CD stores. If you want good sound buy it on vinyl. 5.1 will lose it's value in a few years anyway. People like vinyl and if the album goes out of print, you can sell it on ebay for way more than you paid for it.