Style question, Numerical or spelled out?

MusicBrainz
1

I have a CD labeled Rock 'n" Roll: Hits of the 50’s.
MB has this listed as Rock ‘n’ Roll: Hits of the Fifties.
Barcode, cat# and all other info is identical. MB listing has no album art for reference. I wish to add art from my personal collection. Discogs art also has 50’s not Fifties. Was this the initial submission changed by the submitter for personal preference or is it an MBP style requirement?
Note: I had a TIA in 2022 that wiped out my computer skills. I’m trying to relearn. Making progress. I went from being the computer “guy” for a company with over 100 computers to a guy who forgot how to copy and paste. Thanks for your patience and assistance.

Llama lover

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I don’t understand why you hesitate with Fifties, if 50’s is printed on it (spines, cover, CD label).

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IMO it is equally possible that:

  1. The record label issues two versions of the cover art one with “50’s” and one with “Fifties”, but with the exact same CD and barcode etc. If this is the case, I am not sure whether both versions of cover art should be uploaded to the same release, or whether a pseudo-release or full release should be created for the other version. Perhaps more experienced editors can comment here. (There may not be a definitive answer. There are so many possible ways for labels to release stuff, there will always be grey areas like this which need debate.)

  2. The original editor had “50s” in hand and converted “50’s” to “Fifties” incorrectly, or didn’t have the actual album in hand and guessed incorrectly. MB should have what is shown on the cover (what is called by MB “Artist’s intent”). If there is no evidence of case 1. above, then someone should do an edit to change the release title (and maybe the release group title depending on other releases) to match the cover art because this was the artist (or label) intent.

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In this case, it would be 2 distinct MB releases.

@Llama_lover if you could link your case. :wink:

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Thank you, I’ll give it a try:)

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I just spent some time researching this release including the manufacturer “Creative Sounds. Inc.”…I also paid attention to my own copy (duh). My spine does display the word “Fifties” while the front, back, medium and reverse of the front are all displaying "50’s’.
So I think it is proper to assume there is only one release. I also researched Discogs and a few other web sites just to confirm. The cover designer must have used his/her creative license to print “Fifties” on the spine.

Also, There are eight (8) volumes to this release group. I just dug through my box of cd’s to process (right where I left them 2 years ago) and found Volume 2 (Two). It also has the word “Two” on the spine while displaying the number “2” on everything else. So should I just leave the existing MB entry alone or change the listing from “Fifties” to “50’s”. Can’t see the need for a separate release since it’s very probably just one. What’s your take now? I really should have noticed this sooner but my Gray Cells are not very cooperative :).

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TBH unless you can find a specific style guide saying that you should give preference to the spine or front cover, it seems like it is essentially a user choice - and if so, then my personal preference would be … um … one or the other…

I think that the word Fifties looks better, but using 50's makes more sense for sorting i.e. Fifties comes before Forties. So, I guess 50's would be my preference.

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Agreed. I just added artwork for the release so all could see the minor conundrum. Personally, I would use the “50’s” and rename the release group.
MB has this listed as Rock ‘n’ Roll: Hits of the Fifties, Volume Four. LL

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I see an apostrophe in 50’s that shouldn’t be there and scream… :joy:

Good to see you back @Llama_lover

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Thanks for the reminder!! I’ve been working on retraining what is left of my brain. :wink:

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The cover shows an apostrophe, so it should be there. Just grammar says No. :joy:

The important part of the brain is the musical side. Use Music to bring that head back to life and your world will be good. (I assume this is a photo of you => :exploding_head: ) Music will glue you back together and remind you of the important parts of the world. (I have had a few friends follow your same journey)

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Hits of the 50’s. Better? :brain:

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You may be able to escape from dealing with all those annoying IT support calls at work… but once signed on to MusicBrainz editing you can never leave…

We’ll have you re-trained in no time at all. :headphones: (I was trying to find the brain with headphones icon…)

I’d personally go with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits of the 50’s: Vol 4” That CD artwork is perfectly confusing as every surface has a different version of the title. So I’d follow the front cover.

Or more importantly - it is impossible to get this one wrong. No matter which variation you pick it is clearly written on one side or another. :laughing: