The Catalogue Soft Pack Reissues Part 2

[DopeFiend]

Seems to be a theme of selecting the more B&W imagery, it was like that for the first batch too.

[Ramzy]

I think the Yes one is a bit odd too given the vibrant colours of that iconic tick. B&W silhouettes inside...really?!

Actually yes, I'd assumed they were the colour versions from the Ultimate booklet but you're right, they seem to be b&w! Very strange.

[Vintage Youth]

Coloured ink is more expensive and all ink is getting more expensive generally.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Coloured ink is more expensive and all ink is getting more expensive generally.

So much for progress, eh? If they're skimping on quality for reasons such as these, then I'm even more inclined than before to give this particular reissue series a miss.

On a slightly related note, I have heard a fair bit of backlash against the presentation of New Order's 4CD Substance re-issue, and expect to hear more of it when their expanded Best Of / Rest Of 4CD set comes out. If "soft pack" is a trend, it may be waning.

Retro.

[Gareth Pugh]

Greetings,

Coloured ink is more expensive and all ink is getting more expensive generally.

So much for progress, eh? If they're skimping on quality for reasons such as these, then I'm even more inclined than before to give this particular reissue series a miss.

On a slightly related note, I have heard a fair bit of backlash against the presentation of New Order's 4CD Substance re-issue, and expect to hear more of it when their expanded Best Of / Rest Of 4CD set comes out. If "soft pack" is a trend, it may be waning.

Retro.

I find they are fine for a simple gatefold and usually okay for a trifold CD but once you get into several panels like the New Order Substance Reissue, the spine becomes too wide for the thinness of the material to withstand the postal / courier systems, and like my copy, can arrive with ugly jagged creases down the spine

[Ramzy]

Greetings,

Coloured ink is more expensive and all ink is getting more expensive generally.

So much for progress, eh? If they're skimping on quality for reasons such as these, then I'm even more inclined than before to give this particular reissue series a miss.

I really don't think it's this! They're using full bleed pictures in half of them and most are in full colour (including some of the greyscale looking ones like Nightlife). It'll be a design choice, I just think it's an odd one.

[Morse]

Where is the BOX?

Ha ha. This is half the reason for my not buying any of them yet. Playing the long game lol.

I know what you mean. If you've already got the original versions, the further listening reissues and remasters, and the limited edition format variants there isn't really much of a push to get these.

I'm still waiting/dreaming for the complete singles cd box-set reissues.

[telys]

Where is the BOX?

Ha ha. This is half the reason for my not buying any of them yet. Playing the long game lol.

I know what you mean. If you've already got the original versions, the further listening reissues and remasters, and the limited edition format variants there isn't really much of a push to get these.

I'm still waiting/dreaming for the complete singles cd box-set reissues.

Some of my old discs are getting worn. CD is not an eternal format, longevity doesn't exist.

[greenmile]

Some of my old discs are getting worn. CD is not an eternal format, longevity doesn't exist.

None of my cd's have touched a proper cd player for years. Everything gets ripped to flac immediately and stored on my server so I can play them back anywhere I want.

[DopeFiend]

I'd still like to know what the discs inside look like.
For whatever reason, I have a great fascination with transparent CDs.
Lorde did a see-through CD a few months ago.
I think this reissue of Release has a transparent CD but I'm not sure.
I am tempted to go buy a copy but frankly that isn't an option for me.
Surely someone here bought these gatefold rereleases?
If it turns out to be transparent I'll probably pick up a copy eventually for the novelty.

Here's Lorde's CD

Again, the CD for the 2026 reissue of Release has a transparent png used in the product image but I'm not confident it isn't an error. From what I can see, it's the same as the Lorde CD but with the flower graphic in white or grey.
Someone confirm!

[nonesuch]

I'd still like to know what the discs inside look like.

It's not clear, it's just white (upper right corner).

The OP has more views of the covers on their Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZA7TngiEOo ... M4b2hubzRp

[negative_0ne]

I'd still like to know what the discs inside look like.
For whatever reason, I have a great fascination with transparent CDs.
Lorde did a see-through CD a few months ago.
I think this reissue of Release has a transparent CD but I'm not sure.
I am tempted to go buy a copy but frankly that isn't an option for me.
Surely someone here bought these gatefold rereleases?
If it turns out to be transparent I'll probably pick up a copy eventually for the novelty.

Here's Lorde's CD

Again, the CD for the 2026 reissue of Release has a transparent png used in the product image but I'm not confident it isn't an error. From what I can see, it's the same as the Lorde CD but with the flower graphic in white or grey.
Someone confirm!

what a dumb and terrible gimmick.

apparently there are many people saying they have issues playing it
on different devices.

maybe they can be ripped on cd-roms, but even that might be an issue.

people might just have to settle with a digital download.
----
now granted,

there are partially clear cd-singles, which are sort of like that but they
do work in regular players:

they are called minimax cd's:
i have some from the chemical brothers, electronic and jamiroquai







later
| || ||
ne g ative 1

[tottenhammattspurs]

Minimal cd single was one of these.

[leesmapman]

R-412107-1533465832-4525.jpg

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A528B met Tapatalk

[oakey]

I find they are fine for a simple gatefold and usually okay for a trifold CD but once you get into several panels like the New Order Substance Reissue, the spine becomes too wide for the thinness of the material to withstand the postal / courier systems, and like my copy, can arrive with ugly jagged creases down the spine

Oh yes, this is deaply annoying! I even returned my copy of Substance 4CD to the online store as I found it too expensive to receive a damaged item and then bought the thing in my local record store. I will do the same with The best of/rest of reissue which will have a similar package.

I do not own any of these gatefold PSB reissues. I do not mind the design, but call me old fashioned, what happened to the jewel case? It seems that hardly any (new or reissued) single disc albums are released in a jewel case nowadays which (apart from the hinges) is sturdy and protects the discs much better than these gatefold releases where the data surface if the disc is in direct contact with the cardboard sleeve, and sometimes it is even impossible to remove the discs from their package without having to firmly touch the disc on both the data and label side.

I do have the Disco 5 release which has the same package I assume?