Reitz Journalism

Many people would agree that music is an irreplaceable aspect in our lives. Such artists as Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and Led Zeppelin, who all have helped shape minds of present and future music lovers, are re-releasing old CDs of theirs that are digitally re-mastered and ready to make a come back into the music world better sounding than ever.

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was released again in February. On November 30, 1982, this hit CD by Jackson hit the stores, gracing America with its presence. This album showcased the biggest hits “Beat It” and “Thriller.” However, the 25th anniversary edition is now featuring never released songs that will surely blow you Michael Jackson fans away.

Besides re-releasing this thrilling album, other various artists, more that our generation is accustomed to, are going to join Jackson on the CD. Fergie, Akon, Will.i.am., and Kanye West are all adding their talents to seven interpreted bonus tracks. With such talented artists like these, “Thriller” will be an album worth buying, along with many other re-released CDs.

You may be the person that notices the t-shirts people wear and think, “Who is that band?” or, “Another person has that shirt?” So, if you are that person, then you’ll agree that Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt is a highly worn t-shirt that goes along with the CD that has been released many times. Although the t-shirt gives the CD a high gratuity that it doesn’t quite deserve. Having re-released this album more than once was not the best move. Even though the album may have been a success in it’s day, it did not do so well in other years following. So, what I am saying is if you own the shirt, maybe you should think about the CD itself or if your ears have even listened to the re-release, whether it’s the first or last one.

For all of you Rastafarians or just Bob Marley lovers, some of you may not know that Bob Marley and the Wailers also had a re-release. In May of 2007, there was a 30th anniversary edition of the album Exodus. It was limited to 4000 copies on a memory stick and 2000 copies on a small flash memory card for phones, PCs, and audio players. Both formats also included live video footage. In time, CDs and DVDs will be released with extra footage from a ’77 concert. Considering the popularity of Marley and the Wailers, it’s safe to say that this CD was a major hit among the Rastafarian community and lovers the Marley music.

Re-releases are most popular in the music community. But why do bands feel the need to re-release and album that has already had its debut? Like Michael Jackson, it’s another opportunity to get their music out there and make their fans happy. As a music lover myself, I love seeing never released footage and hearing songs that only they, themselves, have heard.

Led Zeppelin also did a re-release and, like stated above, they wanted to get more of their music out to the world.

“Obviously we were committed to putting this album out, although it wasn’t necessarily the best live stuff we have. I don’t look upon it as a live album…it’s essentially a live soundtrack,” stated Jimmy Page, Zeppelin’s guitarist.

Page said that this album wasn’t the best thing to put out there, but it’s their music, and if the community doesn’t like it, then what does it matter? It’s Zep’s own music. It’s their life and their love.

Even though it’s obvious that re-releases aren’t the best for a band’s look, it’s also obvious that most of the members just plain like their music and like getting it out there. Which is also like The Who. Many times Pete Townshend wasn’t always pleased with their music, but he stuck with them and time after time released new footage and recordings to please more than just him self.

So maybe re-releases aren’t always the best thing to do, and maybe it gets old after releases something so many times. But it’s the music that keeps a lot of people going and to be able to constantly be getting new material from your favorite band is always a definite plus. Think about your favorite bands next CD or the next re-release album of an older band. Do you want to learn something new about them? Do you want to hear something that you nor the person next has ever heard before? No matter the case, it’s all music and it makes the world go ‘round. Take another listen to what could potentially change your life and get ready for a whole other experience from the musicians perspective.