Digital Audio Insider -- the economics of music and other digital content

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Digital Audio Insider is David Harrell's blog about the economics of music and other digital content. I write from the perspective of a musican who has self-released four albums with the indie rock band the Layaways.

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June 29, 2009

Customer Reactions to Amazon's On Demand CDs
by David Harrell

When writing my previous post, I was wondering how Amazon.com would describe its "on demand" CDs -- and what the customer reaction would be. Not surprisingly, a few customers aren't fans of it. One review of the new Cheap Trick album, which is an Amazon exclusive for the next month (I believe a standard CD version will be available in July):

This is musically the best Cheap Trick album in years...and years! Some of these tunes (like "Sick Man of Europe") are up there with the best songs they have ever recorded. However, DO NOT order this CD from Amazon. I unfortunately did and failed to read the fine print... This is a CDR. The packaging is a REALLY cheap trick... super thin crappy paper that is printed and put together horribly. The booklet and tray card aren't even trimmed correctly. The disc face art is okay, but it's a CDR, not an actual replicated disc. I can't believe they are trying to pass this off as a major release at a normal CD price. I want my money back! Will this ever see a proper release on CD????

I have to think this review might not be so harsh if the price of the "on demand" CD were a littler closer to that of the Amazon MP3 version of the album. To me, a CD-R is definitely superior to digital files -- you're getting something in terms of liner notes and you're free to encode the songs in your desired file format and bit rate.

But until on demand discs become more prevalent, my guess is that some customers who are willing to pay up for the physical disc are going to perceive the premium for the CD-R version as too much. (Even though manufacturing costs make identical pricing for the mp3 and CD-R versions impossible...)

Amazon does note that it's a CD-R in the editorial description, though this information is "below the fold" and well after the product description that says "Audio CD."

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

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THE LAYAWAYS

Out Now -- "Maybe Next Year" -- The New Holiday Album:

"This is a sweet treat, deliciously musical without being overbaked for mass media consumption." -- Hyperbolium

"Perfect listening to accompany whatever holiday preparations you may be making today." -- Bag of Songs

O Christmas Tree - free mp3 lyrics and song details
Away In A Manger - free mp3

Download from eMusic, iTunes, Amazon MP3, or Bandcamp. Listen to free streams at Last.fm.

"...about as melodic and hooky as indie pop can get." -- Absolute Powerpop

"Their laid-back, '60s era sounds are absolutely delightening." -- 3hive

"...melodic, garage-influenced shoegaze." -- RCRD LBL

Where The Conversation Ends - free mp3
January - free mp3
Keep It To Yourself - free mp3

Download from eMusic, iTunes, Amazon MP3, or CD Baby, stream it at Last.fm or Napster.

"The Layaways make fine indie pop. Hushed vocals interweave with understated buzzing guitars. The whole LP is a revelation from the start." -- Lost Music

"Catchy Guided by Voices-like rockers who lay it on sweetly and sincerely, just like Lionel Richie." -- WRUV Radio

Silence - free mp3 lyrics and song details
The Long Night - free mp3

Download from eMusic, Amazon MP3, or iTunes, stream it at Last.fm, Napster, or Rhapsody.

"These are songs that you want to take home with you, curl up with, hold them close -- and pray that they are still with you when you wake up." -- The Big Takeover

Let Me In - free mp3
Ocean Blue - free mp3

Download from eMusic, Amazon MP3, or iTunes, stream it at Last.fm, Napster, or Rhapsody.

More Layaways downloads:

the layaways website