Is multiple covers cheating?

[jessica]

I just want to know peoples opinion on this, I don't how many artists have done this, just that JLS did it last year and The Wanted are doing it this year. For albums they are releasing it normally with the cover of the full group on it and are also releasing five alternative covers each one being a solo shot of a member of the group, yet the album itself is exactly the same.
Do you agree with it or think it shouldn't be allowed?

I personally feel like it's ripping fans off. You could easily add the solo pictures into the standard booklet and sell is as a whole. Many fans are going to want the full collection or atleast the standard cover and the one of their favourite member, I don't agree with it, but I know I'd personally want all versions if either of my favourite groups did it because I'd like to have all the artwork. It just doesn't sit right with me, I also think it gives groups an advantage over solo artists, the more members you have the better your chances are too. It's so bizarre.

[vastar iner]

Same as with all multiple formatting - for chart purposes it should be barred. One format, and one format only, should be nominated for the chart.

[Jordan]

I have no problem with it at all. It helps people tell the difference between the members.

[Shireblogger]

If people are stupid enough to fork out £10 for a couple of photos, then good luck to the record companies. The alternative is to hang on for a couple of years, and then pick them up for 99p each in your local charity shop.

[Panda]

Exactly. As long as people buy them, record companies will still do it.

If I ran a record label and thought I could make people buy six copies of the same album by Latest Flavour Of The Month Pop Group, I'd milk it to death.

[suedehead]

There were several different covers for the Arcade Fire album. I really don't see why people would want to buy multiple copies of the same album with different art work.

[escape]

I can't imagine that many people would really buy all five. Maybe more of an issue if this was 10 years ago when most everyone still bought cds. But in this day and age I have to think most fans who are interested will probably download the songs they like and not even know about the different cd versions.

But I agree it is unfair when it comes to the charts. As for ripping off fans I don't know, no one's forcing them to buy all five.

[-Big Dan-]

Well, if people wish to buy albums that are exactly the same but for the cover art, then more fool them.

[Jordan]

I remember The Hoosiers did it a while back as well, with 4 different colour covers.

[Al]

If people are mad enough to buy multiple versions of the same album then so be it.

I just feel sorry for the member who's cover sells the least.

[vastar iner]

Or, as he is technically termed, the Howard.

[borneoman]

Tori Amos did it back in 2001 with her Strange Little Girls album (4 diff covers). I'm a big collector of Tori stuff, got most of singles, promos, etc... and even there I only bought the 1 CD, but many fan friends did buy the 4 covers for collecting purposes... imo it doesn't hurt, it's there, gives you options...

[jessica]

Thanks for replying everyone.
I really don't like the idea but I struggle to see how I'd resist buying it with my favourite artists as I like to have all the artwork, it's just a bug I have. I guess I'd buy my favourite member version and the collect the others over time, there would be no way I could afford to by all copies at once, but I'm almost certain people will.

I just feel like it puts solo artists as a disadvantage and that doesn't seem fair to me, but then how could it even been monitored, if you only included the standard format towards to chart then that would be unfair because their is possibly people that would only buy the copy with their favourite member on and not the standard... but it does seem like it's encouraging multibuying to be which is against the chart rules... however, like someone said, I guess techincally they are just giving options and it's up to you if you take more than one of them. But could these pictures really not just be included in the original artwork booklet?