Captain Howdy

Shame she never really followed up on this album. I loved it when it came out but I think all she has really done since is Motor Sister, which really never did much for me although not heard the second album.

Arrived this morning: Shameless - So good, you should Bloody Heels - Rotten romance Sunbomb - Evil and divine Chip Z'nuff- Perfectly imperfect On the way: Durbin - Screaming steel Rolling Quartz - Fighting

I love the band and get on real well with Rob, but yeah I do not like this tactic. The first two albums was because they got the rights back from the label that released them, but I really do not see any justification in re-releasing Itch already. I would rather they take all the Jap exclusives, record the new tracks and release an EP or a best of type thing. I am not re-buying any of the albums again as there is just too much other stuff to buy and limited money to spend on them.

This one might be a little bit of a cheat

Headie Vedder

My guess is no seeing as they say it's not available on streaming services, which I would assume includes YouTube.

So yeah, looks like I will be cancelling my Durbin preorder on Amazon UK, just got this apdate email New estimated delivery date: April 04, 2024 - August 23, 2024

I see the lynching party is gathering outside, pitch forks in hand, calling for the head of the one that "gone dun a deal with the devil".

Itch you can't scratch is now getting a reissue with two extra tracks. The Japanese bonus track and one newly recorded track.

From Facebook. Michael Sweet Acousticyzed CD+Blu-ray or DVD Release Date: February 16, 2024 Two disc set containing an audio CD and Blu-ray video. The band's first acoustic album and video recorded and filmed at SpiritHouse Studios in 2021. This is a very limited pressing collector's-edition and features 11 beautifully recorded fan-favorites and hits, including a never before heard version of the spiritual classic "Amazing Grace". This album is not available on streaming services. The video captures an intimate set of Stryper performing the album live in the studio. Includes original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox - along with long-time member Perry Richardson. *Bonus - Get $1.00 off a Stryper Chocolate Bar when you purchase Acousticyzed. That's a pretty SWEET deal! Discount will automatically be applied at checkout https://stores.portmerch.com/stryper/ Unsurprisingly Stryper merch is always over priced (remember the $75 for a face mask during Covid?) $37 for CD/blu ray and $33 for CD/DVD. And I don't even wanna think about the postage. Hell, the chocolate bar you get $1 off is $6.

Serveral albums I am looking forward to already. Durbin, Priest & Mick Mars for starters. There is the new Crazy Lixx too, but obviously its got a lot of old stuff re-recorded on it, but I am still looking forward to picking it up. Also hoping that the recent single by The Warning is a sign of a new album this year. So much stuff these days only gets announced a short time before release, so I for one am not worried that it will be a bad year.

The thing is it's kinda omlettes and eggs. Pricing CDs high to make better profits is always cutting your nose off to spite your face. If you drop the price, make less profit per CD/vinyl, you could actually end up making more money because more units will shift. As I say, some indy labels and artists put out albums for lower prices than Frontiers, and while their overheads may be less, I am sure they will not have the visibility that Frontiers have, meaning tougher to make sales. Love or hate them, for the rock genre, Frontiers is currently the market leader. Many bands will say though that touring is where they really make their money over album sales, but since Covid and the worldwide financial situation, even that has become unsustainable for many bands. Merch sales obviously are good money makers, but how much can a band afford to spend out on stock in advance? I think this is why there has been a recent trend of bands taking preorders on merchandise such as shirts before they are made so they can then decide exactly how many to order. Streaming should be a money spinner for bands, but it is one of the biggest cons out there, with bands making next to nothing while the likes of Spotify pocket most of the money made through adverts and subscriptions.

The problem with Frontiers prices is, probably due to the prices they supply them to Amazon and probably how much they charge to send them. On their Euro website most of their CDs are £12.99 but postage is £8. I don't know if that is due to Italian postage being expensive, much like how bad it is to order from the USA, or if it's just greed. I could send a CD to Italy for half that. On Amazon, when they do have their CDs they are nearly always £14.99 and rarely drop in price over time. Go to independant sellers and they will be £12.99 same as Frontiers website, which is why I think there might be issues with Amazon and Frontiers as you would think Amazon would get a better deal with their buying power. Some might defend their prices saying that it's still and indy label, but I have the upcoming Gun CD on preorder (signed version) and it's only £9.99.

Yeah that is who I have started using thanks to Letard. Just had a look at his site today and see a few sale items on there (something you rarely see with Frontiers albums on Amazon) and even buying multiple CDs, his postage is cheap.

I order from UK site, but as I say, checked out several other international sites (even the Italian site seems to have issues). Not sure how smaller retailers are getting them on time and Amazon can't. As I say, the Cassidy Paris one came out early Dec if I remember correctly, and they still do not have it in stock on any of their European sites, but market place sellers have it.