Monday, October 31, 2011

National Treasures - The Complete Shambles Box Set - Forever Delayed?

hello there!


well, wasn't it inevitable that as soon as i said there would be no more posts for October that something really interesting would crop up? and so it has, with a pet subject of mine. that would, of course, be the (ahem) 'Complete Singles' box set of the Manic Street Preachers.

things were actually starting to look up for this expensive project. Sony, apparently keen to have themselves seen as not being of "total hatred" towards consumers, yielded a bit and changed it so the discs had some of the b-sides included, rather than the one-track-per-disc stupidity they first proposed.

they were still reluctant to give too much away of what one could expect for a great deal of money, but then that excellent site
Super Deluxe Edition got their hands on one. and, it has to be said, it looked damned impressive, if still somewhat expensive for an incomplete set!





these images are from the Super Deluxe Edition site. many, many thanks for sharing them, chaps - Sony themselves have flat refused to do any sort of promotion for this or even give a clue as to what one could expect.





one or two more people were tempted to part with money to buy this, seeing what was inside. that's fair enough, and it was due to be shipped today. you will note the use of the word "was" there.

many thanks to someone called stormstocome for sharing this somewhat disappointing email that they at least got as far in advance as....the day they were reasonably expecting to take delivery of the item :


Dear Manic Street Preachers Fan,

Due to an unforeseen production issue, your order for The Manic Street Preachers' 'National Treasures – The Complete Box Set' will ship a few days late and not as initially advertised on or before Monday, October 31. We apologize for the delay.

As soon as your order goes out we’ll email you a ship confirmation.

Please note that if you ordered with your credit card you will not be charged until your order ships.

Thank you for patience and for shopping at the MyPlay Direct Manic Street Preachers Store.

Best regards,

Your MyPlay Direct Team



up front, the bit in bold & red appears to be an outright lie. more than one person who has ordered this has indicated that they have indeed already been charged for it.

as for what on earth an "unforseen production issue" could be, i thank the one they call Dancing Kirby for sharing this link to a story that tells you all you need to know about Sony's view on expensive box sets. going on how Sony treat their own products, the musicians signed up to them and their utter, utter contempt for customers, i am amazed that they have even bothered with the music industry. they really should just **** off and make lawnmowers, or perhaps take over tax audits for governments worldwide. it would be something they would clearly enjoy more than their present attempts at functionality in the world.

where this gets even more "amusing", if i may call it such, is when you click on the link to the official site (which is the only place you can buy this box set). you now get presented with a tracklisting! here it is!





yeah, that's right, the tracklisting they are giving for the deluxe box set is the listing for the 2 CD version, i.e. the only one you really should be considering buying! if that's the "unforseen production issue" that's an impressive lack of vision!

it is shocking that this is going on with a band who have a reputation for being exceptionally friendly and involved with their fanbase. please, Manic Street Preachers, get out of the deal you have with Sony, as soon as you can.

the standard 2 CD version, along with a 2 CD and 1 DVD (the DVD being of poor quality, apparently and unsurprisingly), are out right now - rather purchase one of those, to be honest with you, and leave this thing well alone.


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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