Of Interest

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Ayumi Hamasaki - Japanese pop megastar and friend of Gackt - she was his 'Valentine' last year, this year it is You! will release her new album Next Level on USB flash drive.

USB distribution has been tried before, but this is a first for a major label in Japan. The USB album will be released in limited quantity on the same day as the regular CD version on March 25. The album will be released in a total of 4 different packages, including a CD+DVD combination. The USB edition will include all 13 tracks from the regular CD, 6 music videos, and a lyric booklet.

The USB flash drive itself will have a capacity of 2 GB. The album will take up about 800 MB, while the remaining 1.2 GB of space is free to use. At a price of 6,800 yen, the USB version is said to be a bargain, as typical USB drives reportedly sell for around 4,000 to 5,000 yen.

The USB will be packaged in a case the same size as a normal CD case, making it easy to display in stores. Oricon will apparently include the USB drive version in its sales tracking.

What would you think of a Gackt album released via USB drive?

Comments

[ryuik.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. I think it's an interesting idea, really.
Btw, what does it mean "his Valentine"?? *intrigued*

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Ah, well Gackt either reported that he sent a Valentine to Ayumi or that she sent one to him, but they are just good friends. I wish she would have another tv special with Gackto on it. This year Gackt said You was his Valentine, I guess that's safe!

[ryuik.livejournal.com]

Lol, it's nice^^ I wonder where do people get this info from though)

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Well, i suppose it would be she sent him a Valentine, as on this day in Japan, women send men the candy etc, and then on White Day the men reciprocate ...

[ryuik.livejournal.com]

^^ And in the case of Gackt and You?.. *puzzled* sorry for stupid questions, I just try to figure out how You can be Gackt's Valentine)

[karadin.livejournal.com]

I read this in numerous Japanese reports, I think its the way to tease the fangirls, like when Gackt reports having twins on April Fools Day.

[rizukichan.livejournal.com]

That's a GOOD idea!
i would love to have Gackt Official USB...hehe

[karadin.livejournal.com]

I got the one in last year's PB, it looks like an old silver lighter, and it's very heavy, and I discovered by accident, coffee-proof - after my kid dropped it into my coffee - but alas, it doesn't hold much data at all.

[lilyginnyblack.livejournal.com]

Like others have said, that would be interesting. That's for this intriguing bit of news! ^-^

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

I think it would be an funny new way to expand the market, but I guess I would see it as some sort of "collectors item". Not so much a way to distribute music generally. But maybe that has to do with me being a clumsy fool - I managed to ruin two USB-drives in the same week, so I consider them... not Zill-safe... ;D

[kou.livejournal.com]

In North America, solid-state memory is emerging as a distribution method for software and music, especially with the prevalence of mobile devices using MicroSD. Computer Associated (ca) antivirus and HR Block (TaxCut) sell their software on Kingston Travler memory sticks. And, SanDisk's SlotMusic (http://www.slotmusic.org/) project puts the music on MicroSDs for your phone.

That being said, 1. why the &@*# is flash memory so expensive in Japan, it's $14.95 (~1700 JPY) in the USA for a generic 2GB right now as opposed to 4000-6000... and 2. The only JPOP that's being sold alround here is through Tofu Records at local anime stores, and Dir en Grey sometimes at Hot Topic.

> The album will take up about 800 MB

At 800MB for a single CD, it's probably lossless or similar. What could it be? MP3pro? DTS HD?

Edit: never mind, there's 6 videos. That's what's taking up the space. Oh well.

[jujugou17.livejournal.com]

Meh I don't know about the USB thing. Nifty idea, true, but I don't know if I'd do it. If you're going to put it on a USB, just load it onto the mp3 player and sell it that way. Basically the same thing, honestly. *shrug*

USB drives are easily corrupted sometimes, though, even with virus protection. It is an intriguing idea, but I probably wouldn't buy it myself.