Despite previous threads (e,g. Forum Thread #220901) there still seems to be a community wide lack of consensus on whether the so-called “twofers” (i.e. a subsequent reissue of two original studio albums as one release, most often as a discounted or remasted version) should be tagged as "Album" or "Compilation"
I am aware of the following submission guideline for the Compilation tag:
6.16.4. The tag can be used when the release is two or more previously available releases packaged together.
But note the usage of the word “can” (i.e. it´s a possibility) rather than “must” (i.e. it´s an obligation). As a result, I see them sometimes tagged as Albums in their own right, sometimes tagged as Compilations. Examples:
IMHO the most logical thing would be to add them to the MR of both the original releases (i.e. add The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers), but I am aware that this is not possible under the current database design.
As a next best solution I think it makes sense to consider them as Compilations, as per the guideline quoted above.
So can I go ahead and retag such releases as Compilation without stirring up too much dust?
The ones tagged as albums probably predate the Compilation guideline, which is relatively new. They should be retagged as Compilations IMHO based on the Guideline and the discussions in the forum when it was created.
You can't add a release to two MRs. The system doesn't allow for that. The twofer compilation is separate.
Some twofers come in boxes. Unless you are absolutely certain there is no box do not remove the Boxed Set tag. You can, of course, add the Compilation tag as well.
Furthermore, on Another Side Of Bob Dylan / The Times They Are A-Changin' I have added the Compilation tag, but left the Box Set tag for the moment. I have however added a remark regarding my doubts on whether a slip-case is sufficient to qualify it as a box set.
We are probably in a grey area here as I couldn't find any definition in the guidelines to what constitutes a Box Set. Nowadays certain single CD's even come in a slip-case; IMHO it would be absurd to count those as a Box Set.
"However, the additional package may be other than a box. It may be a plasticized wallet, A slipcase around a bound book, or other variant. The examples below show some of the possibilities."
"Box Set (Card Slipcase)"
I don't know if it is 100% correct information, but...
That was me 'free-forming' the concept of 'box'.
If one were to package, say 4 LPs, in some manner it's likely to be a 'box set'.
Why, if you package 4 CDs, in a wallet that fits into a slipcase, is that not a 'box set'?
Here's a set of 5 CDs, their strawboard sleeves bound into a 112-page book that resides in a slipcase... Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band* - Grow Fins: Rarities (1965-1982)
I'd call that a 'box set' - indeed, I have.
If a 'Long Box', say of 4 CDs, is a 'box set', why can it not be a box set if the card is removed & it is simply shrink-wrapped with an obi?
Until the Packaging drop downs are sorted there are some 'grey' areas.
Maybe we need just "Set" as well. FZ did 3 albums as a set, or separately, on day one by mail-order, then released them in a box...
Don't get me wrong, I personally do think that two jewelcases in a slipcase counts as a box set. I just wanted add some "discogs related" information about box sets to this discussion. :)
Please don't get me wrong either. I am not saying that a Box Set can not come in a slip case. All I am saying is, that in my opinion this is not a sufficient condition. A typical 2fer is nothing more than 2 original releases thrown into a slipcase and sold at a discounted price, like my example above: Trigger Trilogy is correctly tagged as a Box Set. It has it's own title, and new artwork and thus constitutes a "real", independent release even though those 3 three CDs have been previously released as albums on their own.
IbLeo
“twofers” (i.e. a subsequent reissue of two original studio albums as one release, most often as a discounted or remasted version)
"Twofer" is a recycled term with two different meanings??
You should probably note that 'twofer' does not refer to (or does not originally refer to) a "two original studio albums re-released as one release". 'Twofer' is seen referring to 2xLP compilation release with 'auto-coupled' sides, as printed on this 1975 MCA Records release: http://www.discogs.sie.com/release/2422567 (Printed on the cover: MCA "Twofer" album)
^many of those compilations just happen to consist of 2 studio albums compiled into one release, but note the above example is NOT 2 studio albums compiled into one release, but is instead a "Best Of" compilation.
Thanks for clarifying this. I was not aware of the origin of the expression. I have always heard it used in the context that I indicate. If that is the wrong usage I apologize.
Nevertheless, the question still remains open: Does a subsequent reissue of two original studio albums as one release in a slip case constitute a Box Set?
A "Twofer", like a "Bog-off" is a marketing 'pricing' expression.
Banding, or wrapping, "Two items for the Price of One"
ie "Two-fer Price of One"
A "Bog-off" is a 'stylized' acronym of "Buy One Get One Free"
So, theoretically, a 'bonding' of 2 albums into one, and referred to as a "Twofer", should retail at the price of the solo of either...
anssisal
Don't get me wrong, I personally do think that two jewelcases in a slipcase counts as a box set
Yes - that's kinda where I was coming from.
Perhaps. not literally a "Box Set", but the slipcase containment - indeed the suffix 'case' to 'slip' revealing much - has 5 sides. A 5-sided containment is merely one side short of a 'box'...
Then, there is the question of what is contained with 'the box'?
•If it contains, or made up of, items that can 'stand-alone', or be retailed previously or subsequently, in their own right.
Further thought...
At the moment, 2 LPs (let's say existing/prior Albums) are put together in a gatefold sleeve.
We're calling that a Compilation (OK - that aside for a moment).
Now, where I'm coming from - if those two albums were presented in their 'original form' (ie as stand-alone items, originals, reissues, whatever) and placed into a slipcase, wallet OR BOX - then I would refer to them as a "Box Set" - or at least a "Set" in the former two .
Also, by so doing, then perhaps either the "Box Set" or "Set" preclude the need for any appendage of "Compilation", as this would be obvious 'by default'? ie They have been brought 'together' 'compiled as one'.
If programing is then adjusted to place any such "Set"/"Box Set" 'descriptor application' into the "Compilation" field - a number of problems solved?
Linked topics were used only to provide some background & definition to the 'quoted' that I used in my post. :-)
IbLeo
Does a subsequent reissue of two original studio albums as one release in a slip case constitute a Box Set?
The packaging of the release is the only thing that constitutes a 'Box Set' IMO. Two albums compiled into one release has nothing to do with the Box Set format tag.
IbLeo
Does a subsequent reissue of two original studio albums as one release in a slip case constitute a Box Set?
djindio
The packaging of the release is the only thing that constitutes a 'Box Set' IMO. Two albums compiled into one release has nothing to do with the Box Set format tag.
You are right, 2 albums 'Compiled' into one release isn't a box set, as they may be in a gatefold for example. Or packaged in a manner by which they are not 'stand-alone' items. As I said, simply a 'Set'
djindio
The packaging of the release is the only thing that constitutes a 'Box Set' IMO. Two albums compiled into one release has nothing to do with the Box Set format tag.
swagski
You are right, 2 albums 'Compiled' into one release isn't a box set, as they may be in a gatefold for example. Or packaged in a manner by which they are not 'stand-alone' items. As I said, simply a 'Set'
IbLeo
So there seems to be agreement that Bob Dylan - x2: Another Side Of Bob Dylan / The Times They Are A-Changin' is not a box set. I will wait a few days more and then remove the tag if no-one has objected.
Two standard jewel cases in a Box sleeve thing (slip-case?)? Sounds like it could be a Box Set to me...
...although I do happen to have a release that is a single standard jewel case in a Box sleeve thing (slip-case?): http://www.discogs.sie.com/release/2126264
So I'm not entirely sure if the Box Set applies...?
Perhaps it would be best for you should start a new thread with the subject: "Box Set: Does Box Set apply to releases housed in an outer Slip Case" (or something like that), as this current thread is pretty much on a different subject then the one you are asking about.
^feel free to use the release I linked as one of your examples.
djindio
...although I do happen to have a release that is a single standard jewel case in a Box sleeve thing (slip-case?): Conway Twitty - Hello Darlin'
So I'm not entirely sure if the Box Set applies...?
I have several single disc releases in such a slip-case myself. I personally find it absurd to call it a box set. I have never before seen a "set" with only one item in it!
Thanks for the advice. I agree with you that it is not a good thing to mix several issues in the same thread. However, I feel that creating a new thread for this would be overkill. It is not that important to me. I prefer rather to let my case rest and let time take care of it.
After all, my original question has been well clarified. Thanks to you all.
nik
I think any non-standard packaging that contains two or more items in standard packaging is a box set.
Agree.
A 'Box' is a separate containment, consisting of 6 sides.
One of the sides needs to be accessible to remove the content.
In some cases [excuse the pun], a 'box' can therefore be open on one face.
Ergo, you now have a heavyweight 'Slipcase'.
For 'Case' read 'Box' or, conversely, 'Encasement'.
Hence too the terminology such as 'boxed in' or 'boxed up'.
Some CD sets came in a 'Long Box'.
Perhaps we need to define that 'Box Set' can be used in relation to work that is also 'unusually contained' and, in addition, ADD the tag 'Slipcase' to the drop-down?
This would then encom the true nature of such an enclosure - which may be very light card & 4-sided, 'slipping' around a single cassette, etc.,
Cassette, Slipcase
up to a full-blown heavy-duty hessian-bound slipcase containing 6 vinyl albums. With both descripts for the latter.
6xVinyl, LP, Album Slipcase, Box Set Compilation
(I still wave a 'tag flag' for the 'nesting' of works as 'Coned', rather than Compilation. ie 2 prior albums in a gatefold are more 'coned' than a 'compilation'. Or 2 Compilations can be Coned in a gatefold, etc)
