September 2011 Archives

From the photograph used on the cover of Justin Bieber's forthcoming holiday album, it appears that the title should have been Reindeer in the Headlights rather than Under the Mistletoe. This it yet another in a long string of amateurish album covers for one of today's most successful recording artists.

The photograph looks like a mugshot with Bieber shoved against a wall and taken with one of those old fashioned flash bulbs that leave the subject washed out and a dark shadow. The glitter typography appears to have been borrowed from Ke$ha or Jennifer Lopez. The black leather jacket is not appropriate for a holiday album.

Apparently, a music video was made for the album that included an elaborate set, a Santa Claus, and decorations. That makes this boring album cover even more puzzling. I don't get it. This kid makes millions and it looks like this album cover cost around $150 to make.

The horror film Dream House opened in theaters today. The film stars Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts and was directed by Jim Sheridan. The plot is fairly standard. A New York City family moves into a creepy house in New England and learn that it was the location of a brutal murder.

The soundtrack is scheduled to be released on October 11, 2011. The music for the film was composed by John Debney (Predators, Evan Almighty, Iron Man 2). The cover art for the album is a square version of the movie poster. It features two little girls blending into wallpaper. It is obviously intended to be similar to the image of the creepy sisters from the horror classic The Shining (above right).

Including a board game in the packaging of an album is not a new idea. However, the forthcoming album by Kentucky music collective Big Fresh features what is perhaps the best application of the concept that I have come across. The album is scheduled to be released on October 11, 2011.

In 1979, the Canadian rock band Triumph included a board game with their album Just a Game. The game was really more of a joke and designed so that it could not be completed. Another notable example is the 2009 album Peace Boat by Snake & Jet's Amazing Bullit Band. The CD included a folded poster than resembled a board game.

The Big Fresh album is perhaps the first album to include a fully playable board game (above right) with rules included. The art director for the project was Chad Stockfleth and the graphic design was done by Wes Keeton. Not only did they capture the look of a vintage Milton Bradly board game, they have also created a work of biting satire.

This album cover reminds me of some of the 1970s era designs by the British design group Hipgnosis, such as 10cc's How Dare You! It presents a nostalgic image and provides social commentary about materialism and greed. 

Everything about this album cover design is perfect. The photograph is priceless. The fonts looks like the ones used for the typical classic 1970s board game. You can actually imagine this being a dusty box on a closet shelf.

Below are six album covers that were preselected from this week's new music releases. They were chosen based on Amazon.com sales rank and for their noteworthy album cover designs. Please vote for the cover that you think is the best of the bunch. The winner will be announced next Tuesday.

Blink 182 - Neighborhoods		Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot III
Mastodon - The Hunter Standard Edition		Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon Immersion Box Set
Switchfoot - Vice Verses		Wilco - The Whole Love

The cover art for the The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 soundtrack has been revealed. The deluxe version of the album is currently available on iTunes and includes an immediate download of the Bruno Mars track It Will Rain. The album is scheduled for release on November 8, 2011. It is also available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

According to our AlbumArtExchange Blog poll, the best album cover for the week of September 20, 2011 is Night of Hunters by Tori Amos. The cover ran a close race race with Heritage by Opeth. Night of Hunters ended up with 31% of the vote. The Opeth album received 28%. Patton Oswalt's Finest Hour and the self-titled album by SuperHeavy tied for third place with 13% each.

The winning album cover features a photograph of Amos credited to fashion and beaty photographer Victor De Mello. De Mello is primarily known for his work in fashion magazines. He has also exhibited collections at galleries in Paris, Geneva, New York and London.

Below are 10 noteworthy album covers that were posted to the AAX gallery last week. They were selected simply because I found them to be interesting or a valuable addition to the gallery. They are listed in no particular order.

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I have to admit that when I first saw the cover art for Shangri-La, the fifth studio album by Portland, Oregon electronic band YACHT, it was a serious WTF?! moment. The cover is more than just simple. It appears to have been created using word processing software and a black and white printer.

Watching the unboxing video for the deluxe vinyl version of the album, it is clear that one shouldn't judge an LP by the CD cover. The band claims that the video is the first unpacking video to be shot in the woods. Ignoring that incidental bit of trivia, the artwork and design for the LP package is amazing. The two color photographs are stunning. I don't understand why they weren't used for the album cover. They could have easily been used as two alternating covers.

I can understand trying to be minimalist with an album cover design. It worked for huge groups like The Beatles. The Black Keys won awards for the cover of Brother. However, I hate seeing really cool artwork hiding under a plain white wrapper.

Canadian recording artist and actor Drake has revealed the cover art for his forthcoming album Take Care. The image was posted on his official Facebook page and the blog October's Very Own. The album is scheduled to be released on October 24, 2011.

The album cover features a grainy photograph of Drake, who appears to have nodded off. I feel the same way about this cover. I am getting sleepy just looking at it. Yawn.

In a video uploaded to YouTube today, Meat & Potatoes creative director Todd Gallopo does a walk-through of the visual features of the packaging for the forthcoming Chickenfoot III album. The album is scheduled to be released on September 27, 2011.

Cameron Crowe's rockumentary about Pearl Jam was released in theaters this week. The film marks the 20th anniversary of the band and includes interviews with the members and tour footage.

The soundtrack for the film is available as both a digital download and a two CD set. It includes 29 live tracks and demos recorded between 1990 and 2010.

Here is a déjà vu moment that may be a bit of a stretch. However, the cover for Never Trust a Happy Song by Grouplove immediately reminded me of Journal for Plague Lovers by Manic Street Preachers. Both feature paintings of children with creepy blank  facial expressions and what appear to be bloody injuries. The child on the Grouplove album only has a bloody eye, but it is almost as disturbing as the earlier cover.

The Rolling Stones have announced the release of re-mastered, expanded, Super Deluxe, Deluxe and Digital editions of their 1978 album Some Girls. The various packages are scheduled to be released November 21 through 29, 2011 and are currently available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

The Super Deluxe version is a box set (below) that includes two CDs, a DVD, a 7" vinyl single, a hardback book, a set of postcards, Helmut Newton prints, and a poster. It is priced at around $170.

Below are six album covers that were preselected from this week's new music releases. They were chosen based on Amazon.com sales rank and for their noteworthy album cover designs. Please vote for the cover that you think is the best of the bunch. The winner will be announced next Tuesday.

Demi Lovato - Unbroken		Opeth - Heritage
Patton Oswalt - Finest Hour		SuperHeavy - SuperHeavy
Tori Amos - Night of Hunters		Tony Bennett - Duets II

This week's poll was an unusually close race. The Dream Theater cover was ahead for several days. Come back this evening to see if the album covers from this week's new music releases will be as close or if there will be an obvious winner in the bunch.

The cover art for The Great Escape Artist, the forthcoming album by Jane's Addiction, has been revealed. The album is scheduled to be released on October 18, 2011. 

The album cover is very similar to that of the band's 1990 release Ritual de lo Habitual (right). The controversial cover for that album was banned for use by some major retailers due to the nudity depicted in the artwork by lead singer Perry Ferrell.

I do not know whether or not the cover for The Great Escape artist is another Perry Ferrell creation. However, the style is very similar to the earlier album. The cover features a male character with his arms wrapped around his torso. The character also has what appears to quite a large "package" that is covered in the semi-transparent fabric of black bikini briefs. It is very interesting. The cliche would have been to use an image of someone in a straight jacket. This image seems to depict an invisible straight jacket.

I will look forward to seeing the credits for the artwork and art direction for this project when they are made available.

Below are 10 noteworthy album covers that were posted to the AAX gallery last week. They were selected simply because I found them to be interesting or a valuable addition to the gallery. They are listed in no particular order.

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The following is the first in a series by author Matthew Chojnacki, who has written a wonderful new book featuring artwork from many noteworthy singles from the 1980s. This is the music that I grew up with and I was excited to see a quality, full-color book that includes many of my favorite titles and artists.

Put the Needle on the Record is currently available for pre-order through Amazon.com and the author's website. Twenty percent of the royalties will be donated to the Keep a Child Alive foundation, which provides first class AIDS care, treatment, surrounding support, and food for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

The book has a stunning layout and design and a large percentage of the proceeds will go to a very good cause. With the holidays are just around the corner, what could be a better gift for an album art aficionado?

— Fritz

The title and cover art for the forthcoming second studio album by Florence + the Machine was revealed today. Titled Ceremonials, the album is scheduled to be released in the U.K. on October 31, 2011.

The cover features Florence Welch posing in front of what appears to be a three-panel mirror. She is impeccably styled. The gown is gorgeous. The hair and makeup are flawless. Welch has the look of a classic siren of the silver screen. I would compare the album cover to studio shots of sultry actresses like Veronica Lake (right).

I do not have credits for the photographer and art director for this album cover. Everyone who worked on this project deserves kudos. There have been many terrible album covers lately and this one restores my faith in the craft. 

Below are six album covers that were preselected from this week's new music releases. They were chosen based on Amazon.com sales rank and for their noteworthy album cover designs. Please vote for the cover that you think is the best of the bunch. The winner will be announced next Tuesday.

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare		Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
Blondie - Panic of Girls		Anthrax - Worship Music
Lady Antebellum - Own the Night		Primus - Green Naugahyde

The cover for Susan Boyle's forthcoming album, Someone to Watch Over Me, was revealed by online retailers today. The album is scheduled to be released on November 1, 2011.

The cover features a color portrait of Boyle in what appears to be a field of lavender. She is wearing a purple jacket or coat and the wind is blowing gently through her highlighted auburn hair. She also has a slight Mona Lisa smile. It is a very nice album cover that I believe serves the artist quite well. I do not have credits for the photographer and art director for the project at this time.

According to Billboard.com, pop artist Richard Hamilton, who is best known for coining the name of the pop culture-heavy art movement and for designing the cover for The Beatles' "White Album," has died in Britain of undetermined causes. Hamilton was 89.

Often called the "Father of Pop Art" for his groundbreaking use of commercial and pop culture imagery in his artwork, Hamilton's seminal work in the 1950s was "Just What Is It That Makes Today's Homes So Different," a collage showing a naked couple in a cluttered-with-products home. In the piece, the man is holding a lollipop marked "Pop."

His design for "The White Album," released in 1968, was as uncluttered as you can get. A white square with the band's name displayed slightly off center. He designed the collage inside as well, which included random shots of the band. Among them, a naked John Lennon in bed next to Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney submerged in a bathtub.

Source: Billboard.com

Come back this evening to vote for the best album cover from among this week's new music releases. There are some interesting covers this week from artists such as Blondie, Primus, and Dream Theater. 

Below are 10 noteworthy album covers that were posted to the AAX gallery last week. They were selected simply because I found them to be interesting or a valuable addition to the gallery. They are listed in no particular order.

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Daryl Hall - Laughing Down Crying

Lauren Alaina - Wildflowers

There is simply no excuse for using images like this for the cover of an album by a recording artist on a major label. This is the kind of amateur design work that we expect to see on a bootleg album or a mixtape. Even most of today's indie artists will spend a few bucks to create a professional design.

Sadly, we are seeing more album covers that look as if they were created by high school students. The Daryl Hall cover is particularly bad. The composition, the bad Photoshop technique and the ugly typography make it one of the worst album covers of the year.

I have already written about the Lauren Alaina cover. What I did not touch on is the mess that the graphic designer made with her hairline. If you look at where her hair parts, it looks as if a lot of blurring and clone stamp work was done. I assume that this was done to hide where the attachment of her hair extensions was showing. Who knows?

Photoshop is a very powerful program. In the hands of a skilled artist, it can be used to create something brilliant. Those who try to skimp by using the unskilled and untalented usually end up with something crappy. Now, there is an award for that. Congratulations!

Here are a couple of album covers that when viewed in sequence should serve as a warning not to leave your glasses on a stark white surface.

The mixed martial arts film Warrior was released in theaters today. The film stars Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Justin Berg, Jennifer Morrison, and professional wrestler Kurt Angle. It was directed by Gavin O'Connor and produced by his twin brother Greg O'Connor.

The soundtrack album was released in digital format on August 30, 2011. The CD version is scheduled for release on September 13. It includes the score by composer Mark Isham (Point Break, The Mechanic, Crossing Over) and the song About Today by The National.

The cover art for the album is derived from two the teaser posters for the film that each feature half of the the face of either Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton (above right). When displayed side-by-side, the image that appears on the album cover is created. It is a neat concept and it makes a great album cover. It is yet another nice design choice from Lakeshore Records.

The replacement for the controversial cover for the Steve Reich and Kronos Quartet album WTC 9/11 has been revealed. The original cover featured a highly altered photograph of the second jet colliding with the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The image understandably generated a great deal of controversy and was replaced with a new cover. The album is scheduled to be released on September 20, 2011.

The new cover features a detail of the smoke rising from the WTC. Even though the new cover is certainly not as controversial as the original, it still demonstrates a similar lack of creativity. It focuses on the death and destruction of 9/11 and offers nothing new or enlightening.

Over the past few weeks, I have had several debates with friends and fellow album art aficionados regarding this project and we all agreed that the original cover lacked both sensitivity and originality. Imagine if the art director had contacted a New York City public school and photographed a class of 10-year-old children. That could have resulted in a beautiful album cover that makes a statement. It would have shown the faces of people who were born after 9/11 and have never known a world in which the WTC existed.

The record label could have even conducted an online contest, asking people to submit photos of their children born after 9/11. It would have resulted in something special and completely noncontroversial. Some people say that digital music is killing the art of the album cover. I think it is due to a lack of imagination.

The holiday season is right around the corner and I am very glad that I am able to write about a Halloween album cover before the flood of Christmas albums appears. I was beginning to think that for the music industry Halloween was a forgotten holiday this year.

The Superions is a band featuring The B-52s frontman Fred Schneider, keyboard and electric drum player Noah Brodie, and programmer Dan Marshall. Larst year, they released a holiday album called Destination... Christmas! This year, they have recorded Batbaby!, a Haloween-themed EP. The EP is scheduled for release on September 13, 2011.

The artwork for the EP was created by Greek illustrator George Doutsiopoulos. It features a creepy vampire bat infant who is holding a baby bottle full of blood. It is a wonderful illustration that instantly conveys the message that the EP will be just as humorous as The Superions' previous recordings. I hope we see more album art from Doutsiopoulos.

Fortran 5 - Avocado Suite (1995)

Kelly Clarkson has revealed the cover for her forthcoming album, Stronger. The album is scheduled to be released on October 24, 2011.

Today's press release did not include credits for the photographer or the art director for the project. The cover features a black and white portrait of Clarkson, with gold color added to a bracelet that she is biting. It reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon in which Bugs bites a coin in order to determine whether or not it is real. "Hmmm. Twenty-four carrot."

The cover art for Wildflowers by American Idol Season 10 runner up Lauren Alaina has been revealed. The album is scheduled to be released on October 11, 2011.

After seeing the decent job that was done for Scotty McCreery's album a couple of weeks ago, I am more then disappointed with this mess that is going to be used for Alaina's debut album. The Photoshop feathering around her hair is amateur at best. There is also an ugly dark splotch by her head that doesn't make sense. Then, there are several ugly clip art daisies scattered around.

The photograph of the young singer is less than flattering. It could be more appropriate for the cover of a single. It looks as if they took a publicity photo, quickly erased the background in Photoshop, and then found some inexpensive clip art to go with the album's title. This is a bland, cheap-looking album cover. 

Below are six album covers that were preselected from this week's new music releases. They were chosen based on Amazon.com sales rank and for their noteworthy album cover designs. Please vote for the cover that you think is the best of the bunch. The winner will be announced next Tuesday.

Grace Jones - Hurricane		Hugh Laurie - Let Them Talk
Pistol Annies - Hell on Heels		The Rapture - In the Grace of Your Love
Various Artists - True Blood Volume 3		Thrice - Major/Minor

According to our AlbumArtExchange Blog poll, the best album cover for the week of August 30, 2011 is Black and White America by Lenny Kravitz. The cover received 48% of the vote. Girls, Guns and Glory by Sweet Nothings was second with 26%. Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV was a distant third with 13%.

Art direction for the winning cover is credited to Mathieu Bitton. The photograph was taken by Kravitz' late father, American filmmaker and NBC TV news producer Sy Kravitz. It is a photograph of Kravitz as a child. While the peace sign and the words "peace" and "love" may appear to have been added using Photoshop, Kravitz explained that is not the case in an interview with Rolling Stone:

The picture was taken by my dad when I was in the second grade, I believe, in the schoolyard of P.S. 6 on 82nd Street and Madison Avenue. There was a sort of school bazaar going on, and my mom had a little booth where she was painting kids' faces.  I found that photo about six months ago, and it was reaffirming to me. 

Source: Rolling Stone

Below are 10 noteworthy album covers that were posted to the AAX gallery last week. They were selected simply because I found them to be interesting or a valuable addition to the gallery. They are listed in no particular order.

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Today would have been Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday. To help celebrate Freddie Mercury Day, a new animated Google doodle on the Google UK homepage. The video posted below demonstrates what users see when they click the play button.

In addition to the Google doodle, musicians, singers and other celebrities (including Miss Piggy) are uploading tribute videos to YouTube.

It has been quite a long time since I last posted a sleeveface photo. Here is one that made me wonder what else people could have Harry Belafonte stick his nose into besides flowers. Perhaps it could be something unpleasant to go with the angry look on his face. Like maybe a pair of old gym shoes.

The cover and title for the forthcoming third studio album by Leona Lewis was revealed today. The album is scheduled to be released in the U.K. on November 28, 2011 and in the U.S. on December 6, 2011.

The cover features a color portrait of the singer with stars painted under her brilliant green eyes. The color of the cover is very saturated, creating a dramatic contrast between Lewis' eyes and her sequined red dress. I imagine it would be difficult to take a bad photograph of Lewis. However, the cover is not quite as glamorous as that for her previous album, Echo.

At 7:30 AM today, the AlbumArtExchange.com (AAX) gallery reached another important milestone. The 175,000th album cover was uploaded by AAX user aae. The cover is a composite recreation of the 1965 U.S. stereo LP cover for Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home.

This cover is an excellent example of some of the special restoration work and composite recreations done by AAX users. This kind of quality work can't be found on any other album art website.

The cover art and several tracks for the forthcoming collaboration album by Lou Reed and Metallica was revealed online today. The album is scheduled to be released worldwide on October 31, 2011 on Universal Music and in North America on November 1, 2011 on Warner Bros. Records.

The announcement on the official website for the project does not include credits for the design and art direction for the cover art. It features a creepy vintage department store mannequin and the album title that appears to be written in blood. 

The latest addition to the list of album covers that may be the worst of all time is for the self-titled debut album by British electronic music duo You Love Her Coz She's Dead. The album was released on August 29, 2011.

This image of what appears to be a teenage girl mutilating her mouth with a safety pin is more than repulsive. Yuck!