Editors & Journos: If you get a press release for a new album only available online, are you less likely to follow up?

Record's a record, dude.

I am not likely to follow a link to a downloadable record unless I already know something about the artist, but if a CD shows up in the mail, I'll feel obligated to listen to at least the first few songs on it. If the link is to a streaming-only site, I'm not likely to listen at all. These aren't like "standards I think everybody should follow," just me.

what if its a download/vinyl-only release... should I even bother burning CDs or just send LPs

send a locked box full of sweets.
oh, and if you add a cd-r of the vinyl only release, the assocaiated sugar rush will guarantee a more favourable reaction.
seriously, i have written up a few download onlys, but they aint my preferred option as i like to break away from the computer and listen to music in the living room, but like john above, if i know the artist, i will bend with the wind.

i got a cd recently of three cassette releases and in big letters it said PLEASE REVIEW THESE SEPERATELY. would have preferred to get the tapes.

i only review stuff that i actually get in the mail or buy. no downloads. not yet, anyway. never say never.

i'm old though.

i wish that label that does download-only reissues of old psych stuff, the archival one, would send me CDs.

kind of what JOhn D said.

If I know the artist/label or like the publicist, I will follow the linkage or play the CD.

If I've never heard of the artist/label/publicist, there is a strong chance I will never listen to the music no matter the medium. Especially if the flack never follows up.

Also, I never read email press releases that are more than 250 words long. Ever.

thanks for the comments,
is the preference for cds because they make the release seem more legit, or just because it's easier to review?

i would prefer the digital files exported to text, printed on dot matrix paper, and mailed to me in a shipping crate.

howzabout an oil painting of the waveform for each song...

I've had pitches rejected by editors because the CD release I wanted to review wasn't properly distributed (to potential reader/buyers in their country -in my case Swiss artists, to the Spanish audience). You'd think that something only available online would nicely sidestep that issue...

anyone else?...

so should I mail records or not. Mailing vinyl seems like way more of a pain (and expense) than mailing a CD-R.

Not a fan of the digital promo copy--it usually means downloading applicable software, at least it did from two of the labels that sent me stuff--but it beats not getting any legit copy to review, so I take what I can get.

i like what beggars group is doing with their digital servicing. i'm more likely to listen to something that i can just drag and drop into itunes. the worst option is cds that i can't play on my computer AT ALL.

Streaming's a pain in the ass, but I've reviewed plenty of things from digital press packs. It's just likely to be higher on the "I dunno, why don't I just pop this on and see how it is" scale if it's a CD.

Relapse sent me a streaming link for the latest Pig D., which was fine except it only really had two volume settings, which was a little aggravating.

i like what beggars group is doing with their digital servicing.

What are they doing actually?