Optical Disc Packaging - LP Style Case

LP Style Case

A recent trend in CD packaging has been packaging CDs in sleeves comparable to LPs. Many of these albums come from Japan. However, a few European and American albums are given LP-style packaging, such as Morrissey's live album Live at Earls Court, The Who's compilation Then and Now, and R.E.M.'s 2-disc version of their greatest hit package, In Time. A similar packaging type was also used for Phish's 1995 live release A Live One, with the CDs inserted into interior slots perpendicular to the spine rather than the ends. The Beatles' White Album 30th Anniversary re-release was released as essentially a scaled down version of the original release, including card wallets housing the CDs, which in turn slot into the LP-style folder. Unlike the original release, the album was also provided with a plastic protective cover for the package. While some new albums are given the treatment, many of these albums were older albums that were released back when records were still the predominant medium. A more recent use of this style of CD packaging was featured on the Beatles' "Capitol Albums" series.

The downside to this format is that unless the disc is given a protective sleeve of some sort, the disc can be easily scratched each time it is taken out for play. A more serious issue can also be that if the glue that keeps the sleeve that holds the CD closed on the side closest to the spine (on gatefold covers) weakens, it can get onto the CD, rendering it unplayable.

However, the advantages are that album covers that were originally textured, such as Back in Black by AC/DC or Fear of Music by Talking Heads can retain the texturing on the CD release.

Even more recently, CD manufacturers have encased standard CD jewel cases in a cardboard slipcover, to give the appearance of LPs and allow more space for cover art. Vitalic's album OK Cowboy is one example of this style of packaging.

The latest development is MINTpack, 100% green carton based packaging developed for Universal Music now used by all Majors; latest release The Classic Collection from The Cure or Stevie Wonder