Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
Why, when I buy an album, are there X number of tracks and 1 or 2 "bonus" tracks? Why aren't there just X+1 or X+2 tracks, period?
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur. (Anything is more impressive if you say it in Latin)
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Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
It used to be that most CDs were digital re-issues of original vinyl LP albums, which held around 40-45 minutes of material. With the extra time afforded by CDs, there was room to add a few extra tracks not included on the LP release - the bonus tracks.
The whole music industry bonanza of having to re-purchase albums you already owned felt like a rip-off to many (like me). So I guess the idea of getting a bonus also helped to soften the blow.
After original CD releases became the norm, the marketing idea of bonus tracks stuck. And it still makes some sense when albums are planned as a cohesive collection, with a conceptual flow from track to track making an overall musical statement to be experienced from beginning to end. Bonus tracks may then be extras outside that flow - alternate takes, live takes, etc.
Nowadays, with many albums more download/streaming oriented, they seem more like a menu to pick and choose individual tracks, and bonus tracks seem more like a gimmick. But I suppose a physical CD might include bonus tracks not included in the download or streaming versions.
Personally, I've seen very few bonus tracks. It doesn't seem to be the norm at all for trad music albums. Back in the 80s/90s I re-purchased very few albums as CDs, because my vinyl collection is still intact and mostly in good shape (Take that, greedy music industry!). And when I bought "Best Of" CDs, which I tended to do, they were filled out without the need for bonus tracks.
As for contemporary pop/rock albums ... I haven't paid attention in around 15 years, and I have almost no desire to own any of it.
The whole music industry bonanza of having to re-purchase albums you already owned felt like a rip-off to many (like me). So I guess the idea of getting a bonus also helped to soften the blow.
After original CD releases became the norm, the marketing idea of bonus tracks stuck. And it still makes some sense when albums are planned as a cohesive collection, with a conceptual flow from track to track making an overall musical statement to be experienced from beginning to end. Bonus tracks may then be extras outside that flow - alternate takes, live takes, etc.
Nowadays, with many albums more download/streaming oriented, they seem more like a menu to pick and choose individual tracks, and bonus tracks seem more like a gimmick. But I suppose a physical CD might include bonus tracks not included in the download or streaming versions.
Personally, I've seen very few bonus tracks. It doesn't seem to be the norm at all for trad music albums. Back in the 80s/90s I re-purchased very few albums as CDs, because my vinyl collection is still intact and mostly in good shape (Take that, greedy music industry!). And when I bought "Best Of" CDs, which I tended to do, they were filled out without the need for bonus tracks.
As for contemporary pop/rock albums ... I haven't paid attention in around 15 years, and I have almost no desire to own any of it.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
The one that actually prompted me to wonder is certainly not a re-issue: it's the very recent TinWhistler album by the Monserrat brothers. It has 11 "tracks" and 2 "bonus" tracks.MTGuru wrote:It used to be that most CDs were digital re-issues of original vinyl LP albums, which held around 40-45 minutes of material. With the extra time afforded by CDs, there was room to add a few extra tracks not included on the LP release - the bonus tracks.
The whole music industry bonanza of having to re-purchase albums you already owned felt like a rip-off to many (like me). So I guess the idea of getting a bonus also helped to soften the blow.
After original CD releases became the norm, the marketing idea of bonus tracks stuck. And it still makes some sense when albums are planned as a cohesive collection, with a conceptual flow from track to track making an overall musical statement to be experienced from beginning to end. Bonus tracks may then be extras outside that flow - alternate takes, live takes, etc.
Nowadays, with many albums more download/streaming oriented, they seem more like a menu to pick and choose individual tracks, and bonus tracks seem more like a gimmick. But I suppose a physical CD might include bonus tracks not included in the download or streaming versions.
Personally, I've seen very few bonus tracks. It doesn't seem to be the norm at all for trad music albums. Back in the 80s/90s I re-purchased very few albums as CDs, because my vinyl collection is still intact and mostly in good shape (Take that, greedy music industry!). And when I bought "Best Of" CDs, which I tended to do, they were filled out without the need for bonus tracks.
Ditto on the pop/rock, although I still buy good classical stuff on occasion.As for contemporary pop/rock albums ... I haven't paid attention in around 15 years, and I have almost no desire to own any of it.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur. (Anything is more impressive if you say it in Latin)
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Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
Well, in the case of what is effectively a self-produced "amateur" album like that, I imagine that they're just imitating the commercial model they're familiar with.Brus wrote:The one that actually prompted me to wonder is certainly not a re-issue: it's the very recent TinWhistler album by the Monserrat brothers. It has 11 "tracks" and 2 "bonus" tracks.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
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Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
No, it's quite clear from the TinWhistler sleeve note that they are indeed 'extras outside that flow', with Bonus Track #1: Polkas being a homemade (as opposed to studio) recording and Bonus Track #2: Flute & Foot being a 'quick flute improvisation before leaving the studio [...] with foot tapping.'
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Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
I studied business in college. My focus was accounting but I had to take an assortment of business and economics classes.
One word: Marketing
Maybe the tracks should be New & Improved
One word: Marketing
Maybe the tracks should be New & Improved
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白飞梦
白飞梦
Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
I have been watching laundry detergent become ''New & Improved'' for over sixty years. Why don't they just make it right the first time?mutepointe wrote:I studied business in college. My focus was accounting but I had to take an assortment of business and economics classes.
Maybe the tracks should be New & Improved
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Re: Can anyone answer this "bonus" question?
Hang on to that vinyl collection--not only did some audiophiles never let them go, they appear to be making a bit of a come-back.
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I am seeing turntable in regular advertising again. In 2015--who'da thunk it?
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