erratic evolution

Mindless self indulgence

^_______^ My Gauze and Macabre CDs came today! *___*

The jewel case for Gauze was a little battered, but the CD and booklet were practically new. The booklet is thick, with only five pictures of the band - one of Toshiya, Kyo, Kaoru, Die, and Shinya, respectively - and everything else is lyrics. Each track has a little poem-thingy and picture, even the prologue and epilogue. ^_^ I'm very happy to have it.

And then Macabre's jewel case is special. There's a pattern embossed into it - it matches the pattern on the CD booklet, which is even thicker than the one for Gauze. There are also five round beads in the spine of the case, so everytime I pick it up, it makes noise. It's kinda creepy. o-o;; I can't explain it. But it's a unique touch. The CD booklet has a group shot, and then each member has two pictures - a full-body and a close-up of the face. Everything else is lyrics. Like Gauze, each song has a poem and picture.

Macabre was still factory-sealed, so I plan to clip and save the tiny little obi strip-sticker - it's affixed to the plastic. No, I'm not being a freak about these CDs. >_>;; Well, maybe it's warranted. I paid $25 for each, which is less than what it would've cost to buy them brand-new in Japan (and Macabre is indeed brand-new), and with $6 for shipping, it comes to $56. It was well-spent.

I think the overall design of the CDs was good - case, booklet, CD itself. On Gauze, the tracklisting on the back of the case is given in German ("Schwein no isu") and on Macabre, it's given in Russian ("Deity"). Interesting little touch that shows Diru actually put thought into this. I really appreciate it - some bands just slap stuff together. And while I wish there were more pictures, I can understand the content of the booklets. The focus is always on the music, not the band members or how they look.

I've started thinking about the cons next year. I plan to go to a small one, and Erin hopes to go to Katsu. She asked me if there was stuff I was looking for, so... that's what sparked this train of stupid thought. But I'd like to get the three Klaha singles "Gardenia", "Beast of Blood", and "Garnet", and at least the Malice Mizer photobook Livre Rose Blanche. I might consider getting Dir en grey's "Child Prey" as well as the one that's coming out this January, "DRAIN AWAY". And maybe the [DRAGON FLY] and XX books. On the manga front... I'm looking into Alichino and Pet Shop of Horrors. But I definitely want Gravi vol. 12 and HanaKimi vol. 17. >_>;; Lots of money...