While doing my usual weekend CD shopping I saw the new House of Shakira album and immediately decided to purchase it, since I love the two previous albums and read quite a few positive reviews on the new one, but thanks God there was one unsealed copy available and I thought of checking how the booklet is presented. Man, what I saw plunged me into deep despair - a two-page booklet with black n' white insert, for Christ's sake! Never expected such an unprofessional move from MTM, especially when you think about HoS as label's major band. Wake up, people, it's the year 2000.

This led me into more serious and sad thoughts. Record companies complain about people constantly copying CD's to CD-R's or simply trade or download albums in MP3 format. But why should I pay $12 (most of you would have to pay much more for MTM, Frontiers, Z rec., and other European labels' releases) for the awfully presented CD if I can burn a CD-R copy? The only way record companies can encourage people to buy the originals is produce CD's that look as fancy as possible. I mean, I bought Kharma "Wonderland" that day. I wouldn't say that the presentation is top notch, but at least there're 8 or so pages with lyrics, performance details, etc. What made MTM guys think that House of Shakira should look like a cheap, self-produced CD? Just don't get it.

What do you guys think?

Jacob.