Bonus Material

So, records get rereleased all of the time with bonus material. It has been my experience that these "extras" are not usually worth the inflated price tag for a record I probably already own. What are your thoughts on this and what records have been rereleased with bonus material that can't be missed.

right on. Thanks...didn't see it

Properly recorded bonus tracks are great. They can enhance my interest in a band in that album session or year. If they outclass many of the album tracks,  then you can see that the band were attempting an album with a different style. Several strong bonus tracks can prove a band never lost it if the album wasn't very good. Attempting a different style of music is due to critics being harsh previously or the band bored of the same stuff. That's why I never rate a band on album tracks alone if there are some very good bonus tracks. It's dumb to rate a band only on what was released on an album unless they had no more material to add. A classic prog band could have done a bad disco album for a laugh and had 10 great extra prog tracks they didn't release. That band is still awesome then and just made a silly decision. But some people stupidly ignore anything not on the album and just say 'nah they're crap now' ;)

Edited by dr prog - March 21 2017 at 20:36

Bonus cuts now are usually for specific markets (Europe, Japan) and sometimes retail outlets. Sabbath's 13 had an extra track for Best Buy, an American outlet. It wasn't even included on the box set edition. The bonus thing is a whole marketing strategy with numerous different editions of albums looking to fleece the fan, er, I mean provide more material than expected e.g. the box set of Purple's Now What!? went up to a 5 CD edition (3 of which are EPs, 1 live set and DVD). DVDs are another way to create market conditions.

Japan usually gets any extra cut or two as CDs are more expensive. Yes' Fly From Here is best enjoyed via the Japanese edition. I have not seen the DVD. They are probably a good idea if they are hi res versions; less so if they are interviews (watch once only type thing).

I find the Steven Wilson remaster set are worthwhile upgrades but you may want to hang onto your originals as the two listening experiences are booth worthwhile but different (Yes - Relayer).

The first 3 Blue Oyster Cult albums are actually enhanced by the well chosen bonus material. Often the extra material gets put on a second disc. It's good to include B sides, relevant (officially released on original format) live cuts and sometimes comedy moments  (Iron Maiden - Mission From 'Arry - which I recall from the single). This is btw the most venomous, vitriolic band argument ever hence the official release.

Btw I think it's a good idea to keep this sort of thread contemporary (now and again). It keeps the ideas fresh and updated and helps we consumers make choices. One thing is for sure I never buy a new release on sight. Not now. Often there is a following edition (Bowie - Next Day) that completes the set. I was lucky there, it was actually being sold for less than the single CD which was also available in two versions.

I wonder how things would have been had record companies tried this sort of stunt, um, I mean, approached audiences with these novel and innovative ideas in the vinyl only daze. Apart from the 7 and 12 inch singles. This was fun, now it's very serious.

Due diligence.

Caveat emptor.

The Bonus tracks on the double CD of The Road of Bones by IQ are even better than the main album.

What if somebody adds extra material to a concept album?

octopus-4 wrote: What if somebody adds extra material to a concept album?

mechanicalflattery wrote: I sometimes seriously consider paying more to not get bonus material.

It all depends on the nature of the extras.  If it is a live version of a song already on the CD or an alternate mix, I don't really want it - they rarely enhance my listening.  If there are previously unreleased songs or B-sides then that is new material and I want to hear it.  For example, my copy of Three of a Perfect Pair has several mixes for Sleepless.  Even though there are noticeable differences, I do not want to hear them since I have already heard the song a few minutes before.  For archival purposes, I still don't care.  Octoberon by Barclay James Harvest added different mixes and edits as well, which I do not care for, but Down to Earth has a few extras not found on the original album which I quite enjoy.  It is never the extras that spur me to acquire the album.

Hercules wrote: The Bonus tracks on the double CD of The Road of Bones by IQ are even better than the main album.

I agree totally. Today. Next week I'll think CD 1 is better. But that's a good thing.