This isn't the first EMI disc of which I've ordered a Red Book copy from abroad. A while ago I picked up Goldfrapp's new one, Black Cherry (which is OK, though not as good as Felt Mountain; and it does seem that she's trying to be fashionable and jump on the '80s tinny-synth neo-electro bandwagon like everybody else), and Martin Gore's Counterfeit2 (which is very, very nice; basically a collection of covers, done with the combination of cold electronic glitches and bleeps and aching humanity that Depeche Mode fans will feel right at home with; I'd say it's probably better than any Mode since Violator, in fact). I also picked up the quasi-official fan edition of David Bridie's Hotel Radio (which is also excellent, and not as far from Martin Gore's territory as one would think).
Of course, some EMI titles have fallen by the wayside; for example, I probably won't be bothered to import the new Placebo album.
The US release of Black Cherry is a kosher Red Book CD that plays in anything. Or it was when I ordered it.
Not sure about current US EMI releases.
This is my workaround for EMI's copy-protection.
1. Copy the aiff files from the disk to your harddrive.
2. Open the files with Quicktime and save them as Quicktime .mov files.
3. Open them in iTunes and convert them to what you want... mp3 / aac...
4. Distribute them from your peer to peer application (Hotline / Carracho / Limewire...) whatever !!!
It's a bit of rooting around I know, but I kind of look at it as a community service ;-b
Regarding an earlier post about your Under the Influence Morrissey DMC CD. Thank you for the information... I have sent off my request that I have the CD replaced also.
Greedy F'kers
Just read your comments on Hail to The Thief etc. I'm writing 'cause I'm interested in this pain of a thing, copy control. In my country, Black Cherry is copy controlled. I'd like to know if there are any regular versions in your country. Thanx for reading.