CD Pressings

I usually like the cheapest of them. 

In most cases - Remastered and expanded, btw they are often made as vinyl replicas.

I don't have too many early CD pressings.  I couldn't afford them at the time.  Over the years, I've usually tried to buy remasters, not caring if they are expanded or not though in some cases (early Jethro Tull) that's always a nice bonus.  Lately I've gotten into the vinyl replicas, those perfect reproductions of the original album.  But a lot of those come out of Japan and no small expense, so I pick and choose carefully.

Edited by jammun - November 24 2008 at 21:24

As I like the golden years of album cover art I like the replicas, but not the price that often comes with them.

Fro the endless reisuess i got 7 copies of Uriah Heep Demons and Wizards.

Well usually the original, however, I do enjoy worthwhile bonus tracks.  Ones that actually matter, not ones like "radio edit" or "single edition".  Thats bull.  

Many early cd reissues of classic seventies prog were very shabbily done by most labels. The early 'compact price' Genesis ones spring to mind. The Lamb in particular sounded appalling, with a chunk of Banks' piano intro chopped off and an 'earth buzz' signal over the last section of side one. The later remastered version was a vast improvement, but I'm banking on the new box set remasters to be 'the business' (only two weeks before I get my copy!!)

I hate the early CDs with a passion.  The jewel cases are way too fragile and I wish that the mini LP had become the case of preference.  Also they were often made from the LP masters rather than remastered for the CD format.  Occasionally you'd even get one that was recorded from an actual LP to put on CD.  Give me a remaster in a LP style sleeve with bonus material anytime.

I actually hate early releases. Remasters and special editions always have cool packaging, improved sound quality(sometimes by far) and sometimes great bonus tracks you won't get anywhere else.

It can only go so far though... if I have an original pressing of an album I really like and a remaster comes out I;ll replace it, but when bands release re-re-releases and special editions a year after the original album, I totally protest that kinda blatant commercialism(unless they're actually correcting a flaw or adding something valuable). For example, I'm very hesitant about buying the Genesis box set after I paid for all the remastered CD's a year previously. I don't think it's worth the extra 50-60 bucks. I think the band is rich enough. I bet the people who bought the vinyl, then the cd, then the remaster must feel like they're being milked for cash by their favorite band.