Here is the heart of the issue. Between 2012 and 2016, Apple underwent major architecture changes. They deprecated the iTunes LP format in favor of Apple Music. When iCloud Music Library and iTunes Match were introduced, the .itlp (iTunes LP) files began failing to validate.
If you downloaded your Plastic Beach Deluxe Version during this transition, you likely encountered one of three errors:
Thus, the community began searching for the "Gorillaz Plastic Beach Deluxe Version iTunes LP.zip Fixed" —a version where:
Over the years, many imposters have circulated. A true Gorillaz Plastic Beach Deluxe Version iTunes LPZIP Fixed has these fingerprints:
If the file crashes or shows placeholder "?" icons, you have the original broken scene release.
Since Apple officially killed the iTunes LP viewer in macOS Catalina and later, you have three options to actually use the fixed file.
Before Apple Music's streaming dominance, Apple tried to make digital albums physical again. Enter iTunes LP (originally called "Cocktail" internally). Launched in 2009, it was a proprietary HTML/JavaScript wrapper that turned a standard download into an interactive coffee-table book.
When you bought the Deluxe Version of Plastic Beach on iTunes, you didn't just get 16 audio tracks (plus three bonus tracks and the "Sea-sides" instrumentals). You got:
For a concept album about media saturation, the iTunes LP was the ultimate delivery method. It wasn't just music. It was a virtual artifact.
Some argue that since Plastic Beach is on Spotify with animated canvases, the iTunes LP is obsolete. Those people are wrong. The iTunes LP contains specific art and text that never appeared elsewhere:
The "fixed" version preserves this digital archaeology. When Apple deleted the LP store in 2018, all legitimate means of acquiring this interactive experience vanished.
The Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Deluxe Version), specifically the iTunes LP edition, is a digital-only release that famously included exclusive interactive content and bonus tracks not found on standard physical copies. Over time, many users faced issues with the iTunes LP file (often distributed as an .itlp or .zip package), leading to the community-driven "fixed" versions that restore its original functionality. Key Features of the iTunes LP Version The Plastic Beach (Deluxe Version) included: gorillaz plastic beach deluxe version itunes lpzip fixed
Bonus Tracks: Two instrumental tracks exclusive to this version: "Pirate's Progress" (an extended orchestral intro) and "Three Hearts, Seven Seas, Twelve Moons".
Interactive Content: An "iTunes LP" experience that allowed users to navigate a 3D model of the island, featuring: Artwork for every track. Music videos and behind-the-scenes documentaries. A digital lyric booklet and a lore book. An exclusive mini-game called Fish Flam.
Unique Artwork: The cover art for the iTunes Deluxe Edition shows the back of the island at night, whereas standard versions show the front at sunset. The "Fixed" Zip and Restoration
Because Apple eventually discontinued support for iTunes LPs, much of this content became inaccessible on modern devices. Community "fixes" typically involve:
Extracting Content: Using the original .itlp file (which is a renamed .zip folder) to access the underlying HTML, Flash, and media files.
Compatibility Fixes: Modern "fixed" versions of the zip often include scripts or redirections to allow the interactive menus and Unity/Flash-based games to run on current browsers or operating systems.
Metadata Correction: Ensuring the album displays correctly in modern libraries, including the proper "Deluxe" artwork and sequential tracklist.
For more on the album's history and unreleased content, you can check the Gorillaz Wiki or browse user discussions on Reddit's Gorillaz community.
For a quick guide on how to locate and compress your iTunes library files for archiving or fixing: Compressing the iTunes Database : Using iTunes YouTube• Apr 7, 2013 itlp file into your current iTunes library?
The Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Deluxe Version) was an exclusive release on the iTunes Store featuring a unique interactive format known as an iTunes LP. Users frequently encountered technical issues with this version, particularly regarding corrupted downloads and missing metadata. Report: Gorillaz Plastic Beach iTunes LP "Fixed" Analysis 1. Content of the Deluxe Version
The iTunes Deluxe version of Plastic Beach is distinguished by specific multimedia and audio content not found on standard physical releases: Here is the heart of the issue
Bonus Tracks: Includes "Pirate's Progress" (an orchestral intro extension) and the atmospheric instrumental "Three Hearts, Seven Seas, Twelve Moons".
Interactive Island: A digital experience allowing users to explore the "Plastic Beach" island through visuals and activities.
Visual Content: Includes a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the album and specific high-resolution wallpapers.
Unique Artwork: Typically features the "Late Night" version of the island cover, unlike the daytime cover used for the standard vinyl. 2. Common Technical Issues
Over the years, users have reported several critical failure points for this specific zip/package:
Audio Dropout: Many users successfully downloaded the software and visuals but found the audio tracks were missing or failed to sync.
Artwork Mismatch: The album often appeared in libraries with missing covers or under "Unknown Artist" due to incorrect metadata fields like "Album Artist" or "Part of a Compilation".
Broken Interactive LP: Because the iTunes LP format is largely legacy, the interactive elements frequently fail to load in modern versions of Apple Music/iTunes. 3. Standard "Fixes" for the LP Package
When users refer to a "fixed" version or manual fix, it usually involves the following steps: I can't download the LP... - Apple Communities
Plastic Beach Deluxe Version on iTunes was originally released as a feature-rich
. This format was an interactive multimedia package that allowed users to navigate a virtual 3D representation of Murdoc's study on the island, similar to the original Phase 3 website. Key Deluxe Features Bonus Tracks: Thus, the community began searching for the "Gorillaz
Includes two exclusive instrumental orchestral pieces featuring Sinfonia ViVA: "Pirate's Progress" (an extended version of the "Orchestral Intro") and "Three Hearts, Seven Seas, Twelve Moons" Visual Content:
The LP featured the "Stylo" music video in HD, a "Making of Stylo" documentary, and roughly 10 mini-films based on other tracks. Interactive Media:
Users could access the "Fishtank" game, a digital lyrics book, and a full Gorillaz storybook detailing the lore after the Demon Days Exclusive Artwork:
Includes rare art by Jamie Hewlett, such as the "bruised Noodle" image. Fixing iTunes LP Issues
Many users have reported that the iTunes LP (often appearing as an
or zip-like file) fails to download properly or shows as "missing" even when the audio tracks are present. Clearing Partial Downloads:
If the LP won't launch or appears corrupted, navigate to your iTunes Media folder (typically Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Downloads
), delete any "Plastic Beach" folders within the downloads section, then restart iTunes and select Check for Available Downloads under the Account tab. Compilation Settings:
For metadata issues where the deluxe artwork won't display, ensure the album is NOT marked as a "compilation" by right-clicking the album, selecting Get Info > Options , and setting "Part of a compilation" to Missing Media:
If the LP interactive file is entirely gone, users often have to re-download the specific "iTunes LP" file from their
history on the desktop version of iTunes, as mobile versions rarely support the interactive format. Are you having trouble locating the specific file on your computer, or is the interactive menu failing to open? Gorillaz Plastic Beach import problems - Apple Communities
You cannot buy the Plastic Beach iTunes LP anymore. Apple has removed it from the store. If you previously purchased it, you are legally entitled to a backup. If you are downloading a "fixed" version from a public tracker, you are engaging in abandonware preservation.
The Ethical Stance: