LP Style CD Cases

Remember how frustrated you would get when you would find yourself constantly cracking those plastic CD cases to your favorite albums?

Well, since those were so durable, someone decided that making them less durable would be a fantastic idea!

Keep in mind that, on the contrary, movies and video games have improved their cases.  The plastic cases used for DVDs and the PS2/Xbox/Gamecube generation were a huge improvement over the smaller, clear, less durable cases that Playstation games are stored in (or the cardboard boxes that N64 games would come in).  Now the cases that games and movies come in seem virtually indestructible.

On the contrary, if you still buy CDs, they still come in the jewel cases (if you're lucky).  A common, money saving (I'm assuming), alternative I have seen to this are LP style cases.  This is an especially popular packaging method if the album contains more than one CD.

I really just can't stand these LP style ones.  Not only is it much harder to get the CDs out, but these cases are even more shittily made than the jewel cases.  I'm not even sure how this is possible on the account that I never had a particular problem using old LP cases.  A big difference between the LP cases and the LP style CD cases though is that the CDs almost never come in the paper sleeves.  This is a huge issue because every time you pull the CD out of your case, you risk scratching or putting fingerprints all over your CD.  There's a method to getting the CDs out while minimizing these risks but the problem is that you end up stretching the storage compartment of the case.  About half of my LP style CD cases are torn at the seems because of this.

Also, upon the first time purchasing a CD packed in this fashion, there is no way of telling which side of the CD is facing up or down.  So, even if you are really careful, you have a 50/50 shot at which plane of the CD is safe to press your fingers against.  I shouldn't have to take a risk like that on a product that I literally purchased brand new.

I will keep buying CDs for as long as I can but it is the little things like this that drive people away.  So, the question is, what cases do I think that CDs should be stored in?  Well, for me personally, I would prefer if they stick to the jewel cases.  They are prone to cracking but they are much more portable than sturdier cases like the ones that DVDs or Blu-Rays are typically stored.  Besides, if a jewel case breaks, you can still keep using it most of the time.  It's still usable if the plastic cracks or if the hinges connecting the cover to the CD mount break.  When these mock LP cases rip or tear, they're basically unusable without some glue or tape (which can make album artwork really look like shit).

Just figured I would give my two cents on that, especially since it seems like lately that every new album I've been interested in purchasing comes in the shitty LP Style case.  I wish they would stop.  It's possible that record companies want everyone to just download music from itunes since it is less work for them.  However, I steadfastly refuse to do this.  I like having my music in a physical form.  I won't ever change.  I'm pretty damn stubborn on this.  Sorry.  So stop putting albums in these LP style cases.  It's not clever and it's not cool.  It's certainly not durable and it's certainly not preferred.  Could you imagine if the new norm for PS4 and Xbox One games were to put them in these cardboard sleeves, wrap it in plastic, and put it on the shelf?  Gamers everywhere would be pissed off!

So just stop it.