In complete agreement with these posts. I think though that this reflects our collective ages (and not just as it relates to eyesight!). If you grew up in the glory years of LP - regardless of whether you were listening to Classical or Rock - the LP cover/book/gatefold was an integral part of the listening experience. Part of the "status" of a disc/set for me was the scale and quality of the liner. Even early CD iterations of say classic operas came with a pleasingly chunky book in a substantial cardboard box.

But now, with the move towards predominantly digital media and streaming by definition the written word associated with that recording is marginalised. Where I have bought downloads I must admit I rarely read the accompanying digital booklets because I don't want to sit in front of a computer screen while listening to the music. So I imagine that for some companies creating an intelligent booklet is almost perceived as a waste of time preferring instead a gushing artist biog and some moody pics - DG with their A list artists are particularly prone to this. Perhaps labels such as SOMM who are more repertoire than artist facing still believe in the importance of a well-written liner....?