... as you can see from the scan of the new Ordinary Boys album below.

They're also doing cheaper "no frills" versions of the same albums in cardboard sleeve repros of the cover artwork, but with no inserts, in order to offer a more compelling value to the download crowd. (Note: the cardboard sleeves look and feel more like UK promos with minimal packaging, not high quality "mini LP sleeves", if you dig what I'm saying.)

The model they're going for is three-tiered ~ the cheaper cardboard edition, the standard (aka "full") edition in a super jewel, and the deluxe edition with a second disc of video, DVD-A, demos or whatever else.

Ugh. so if i drop one and it cracks, can I get replacements that fit the booklet and tray?

I hope this trend doesn't make it's way to our shores - It's bad enough there are too many releases coming out in digipaks.

I kinda hope they do make it over here because it should get lots of outlets to carry replacement cases, which I could use since every SACD I order seems to arrive in a cracked case.

Allow me to clarify - I was referring more to the cheap cardboard packaging that was mentioned. I don't buy SACDs (don't have a player), but I guess it would be a good thing if they stocked replacement cases.

Ohhhhhhhh, my bad, Chris. Yeh I sure do agree with you ... not hard to imagine the USA arm of Universal thinking, "Hmm why don't we put EVERYTHING in this cheap-arse packaging but charge the same price."

Please!!!!!!!!!!!

What's scary, Linda is that what you said could very well be or have been said by a record company exec.

There have already been some CDs so shoddily packaged that I'm glad I didn't like the artist or not really cared about them. In some instances, I've seen CD singles that were packaged better.

To each his/her own, but give me jewel cases anyday!

I don't need yet another jewel case format that I can't get replacements of. It's bad enough with the fat 2,3,4-way cases that invariably arrive cracked in the mail, and of which a single replacement costs me about £5, postage included. I really like the idea of cardboard sleeves, though, they don't get scratched or cracked and they take up a lot less shelf-space.

The CDs are here way too expensive and now a jewel case I can't replace if it's broken??? Thank God for the internet.

Just recently I've picked up a few titles that come in these so-called Super Jewel Boxes. How in the world do you get the booklet out?

Very carefully................

Another dumb choice IMHO of the record companies. Why do't they just, I dunno, release everything at a resonable rate? "Oh, but inflation adjusted, CD wholesale prices have gone up since 1985 so we are losing so much money compared to back then".

I worked in a failing chain WHEREHOUSE record store in 2000-2001 in Nashville. Tower next door always creamed us. I remember telling my GM that all single CDs should be $10, and doubles less than $20. Stuff would fly off the shelves, I thought.

Just treat the customer well. The download folks aren't coming back for the promo style cheapie cardboard CDs, unless they are $ .99 (pounds?) or less.

Standard issue should be no more than $10. Preferably in 2009, more like the cost of an old LP in the '80s - 6 or 7 bucks.

Deluxe can be the price of current new CDs - $16.99. (I mean come on DVDs are cheaper than CDs, but I degress).

Anyone agree/care to debate my "logic"? END RANT
DW

Oh, PS - Home taping is KILLING the record industry!

Yeah, switching to SACD cases is just stupid, considering the auantity of regular cases in circulation. I have no idea what the labels see as a benefit. Now if they were making all cd's hybrid cd/SACD's I would have a completely different opinion (actually the cases would still suck but if i get an SACD as a bonus I'll put up with it!).

I will say that those cases are much sturdier at the hinges than regular cases.

I've only got one of them, though - Sophie Ellis-Bextor's last album, which I bought as an import.

My collection has grown so large that I have been using a product called Jewel Sleeves for several years now to save space.I recycle most of my jewel cases.I have only kept a dozen or so Super Jewels and bigger DVD-A Super Jewels.I held on to any unique jewel boxes with special coloring,markings,lenticular covers or MoFi Lift Locks but almost all of my standard jewel boxes end up in the recycle bin.I keep a few around for anything I might replace with a remastered version so I can sell off the old one.I slide my Digipaks into those resealable mylar sleeves and then tape them with double sided tape to a jewel sleeve and keep the disc in the jewel sleeve for easy access.All the discs fit perfect in CAN-AM media cabinets.My wife says that I am AR.I think I'm just organized and neat.What the hell is wrong with that?!