DUAL COVERS

Dual cover cds are different from revised cover cds or limited edition cds in that there are two different covers for the same compact disc, being produced at the same time, for mass consumption. This usually occurs when a compact disc cover art uses imagery or language that some people might consider objectionable. In order to not lose the sales associated with being carried in the large discount stores where children or others might be offended, the cover is redone in a way that is less objectionable. Since the large sales from Walmart are the prime motivator for this cover change, these are often called "Walmart editions" ,"Walmart versions", or "Walmart covers". These covers are also sometimes called "censored covers". However that term is not entirely accurate since it implys that an outside entity has censored the cover, and in fact the artist and or record company was involved in the decision. When collecting this type of cd you should try to collect both covers, since it is hard to tell which is the rarer, and it is the difference between the two that is of intrest. Sometimes it is difficult to tell if a cd has a revised cover or a censored cover. Below are some examples, I'll add more later. RS=record store version, WM=Walmart version

UGLY KID JOE RS

In order to protest the fact that they had to change their cover, the band altered the cover like this. One of the classics.

UGLE KID JOE WM

SLAUGHTER RS

SLAUGHTER WM

The powers that be didn't like the image of a child being beaten so they zoomed in to eliminate the picture of the man with the whip.

POISON RS

POISON WM

There is a subtle difference between the two covers. In the walmart cover the blood seeping fromn the tatoo has been removed.

JACKYL

This one is hard to see. The guy in the center has a cool upturned mustache. Later, I went to show it to a friend and it was not upturned anymore. I thought I had been seeing things, so I went to get a different copy of the cd. There was the upturned mustache again. I don't know any of the reasons concerning the change, or even which cover is first. The one with the upturned mustache seems to be the rarer. Not sure if this is a dual cover or a revised cover

GREAT WHITE HOOKED RS

GREAT WHITE HOOKED WM

This is the back of the cd booklet. Even though it is not visible from the outside of the jewel box, it was a little too racy for walmart. I'm not sure whether the shark got the girl, or the girl got the shark.

BLUES TRAVELER- FOUR- RC

BLUES TRAVELER- FOUR- WC

Now, everybody knows that cats shouldn't smoke. Cat is on the left and is smoking one of those funny cigarettes on the uncensored cover. there are also minor changes in lettering.

POISON- OPEN UP AND SAY AH - RC

POISON- OPEN UP AND SAY AHH- WC

This cover was deemed too provocative for walmart and the black bars were added. however it has since been reissued in its original form and the one with the black bars might be harder to get.