All I wanted in 2019 was a jewelcase with the cd inside. I did not need this big clunker of a box with a screen in it that turns on when you open it. They think I'm ever recharging that thing? Because I'm not.
I don't know why you'd expect Tool to do that. Ever since Aenima their album covers and packaging have had some form of unique, art style. Aenima has the lenticular lens, Lateralus has the layered artwork, and 10,000 Days has the 3-D glasses attached to the packaging.
I think it's neat how artistic the band gets with their album art, instilling the latest technologies into their album art. So you're not just paying for the music, but you're getting art value from it.
But I have Aenima and 10,000 Days and I don't remember them costing three times the price of an average CD and requiring a whole different spot on the CD shelf.
I don't mind adventurous and/or artistic packaging, but at a certain point it becomes something in and of itself, and at that point I think there ought to be options. It's the band's loss; I bought mine used on the interwebs and while that's a legal sale, I don't believe the band saw dime one of that.
Can't blame a band trying something that would make people buy their product, since not many are actually buying the product of CDs.
It also doesn't surprise me either that Tool said, this is the only way to buy this album physically...
I can see why the price of the deluxe vinyl is so much though. They're early arrivals and are tour editions for the time being, and they're the only ones that will be autographed. Priority was given to Tool Army members, then will be placed on sale at the merch booth for everyone. I don't know who would want them that bad, and for the authographs of the band members. Unless, they have artwork done by Adam like how my signed Tool Poster is done, very unique from the main tour poster.