Brilliant Record Covers
Posted by: 555 on 18 February 2008
In order for balance ...
quote:Originally posted by Max Bass:
Was that not the inside of the gatefold? And if so, does this not automatically, if not technically, disqualify your entry?
Hi Max
I have to confess I borrowed the images I posted from the internet. I include all materials covering the record in "Brilliant Record Covers", & as I started this thread I reserve the right to make the rules up as I go along!
quote:
I always loved the fact Hendrix used this Fillini-esque photo for his album artwork. I think it gave an added element of danger to the music.
Me too, & I couldn't agree more.
I think it is still rather controversial today. The recent estate releases use diff' artwork which surprised me, because the EL "naked ladies" artwork is such a classic.
I used to live near a real Jimi fanatic in the early 1980s; the Jimi section of his record collection was bigger than my whole collection! I recall him telling me the naked cover of EL was so contentious in the UK when 1st released it was not displayed in shops!
quote:
Was that album an import? Not available in the U.S.? Also, was/is it (the artwork) ever produced/available as cd. The copy I have does not have it . . .. such a shame.
I have various versions of EL, but all on CD.
I don't know if the orig' USA release of EL had the nudes.
I imagine you can get it from the usual places, but how much $ would a copy in good condition cost!?!
I have a two disc version of EL on Polydor W Germany which I guess is an early 1980s release. On the front cover is the RHS of the nude art, & comes with a fold out insert of full version which I've scanned & posted below.
Comparing my orig' "borrowed" post to this I think it's from the the same CD release!
This is one of my all time fav' records for the music & the art!
Cheers - John
Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother (Hipgnosis 1971)
This simply works for me, no text, it is just right for the album and band. It also looks you right in the eye.
Underworld - Second Toughest in the Infants (Tomato 1996)
90s design genius', I still have my 'begging for it' tour shirt. Simple, strong, distinctive.
Left to right, top
Led Zeppelin - Presence (Hipgnosis 1976)
Another great Hypgnosis cover, enigmatic.
Nine Inch Nails - All That Could Have Been (David Carson 2001)
Carson just breaks the rules, so a natural choice for NIN. It is the inner that is best, but the front type is excellent.
Radiohead - OK Computer (Stanley Donwood 1997)
60's urban planning idealism breaking down, lost children and lost people, pity the album has dated so much, the cover still works perfectly.
Genesis - A Trick of the Tail (Hipgnosis/George Hardy 1976)
Lovely innocent illustrations for a gentle innocent album, very Tenniel (Alice in Wonderland).
Left to right, bottom row.
This Mortal Coil - Filigree and Shadow (Vaughn Oliver as V23, 1988)
Now quite dated, but at the time beautiful typography, especially on the inner sleeves. His cover for The Pixies - Doolittle is great too. Just a Pity Vaughan Oliver is still doing exactly the same designs twenty years on.
Thelonious Monk Septet - Monk's Music
(no credit for design - probably just the 'Riverside' art department, 1957)
Very cool, very cooky.
Yes - Close to the Edge (Roger Dean 1972)
So fashionable to dislike Roger Dean, but his covers just capture the lightness of Yes' music. Such a great idea to conceal the painting inside the cover, he wanted to print one on the inside of the cover, so you had to unfold the package to find it.
Front 242 - Live Code
(Marina Verduyckt 1995)
Great North European modernist design. You have to hold the cover, coloured jewel case, and printed on tracing paper so that it is all layered and semi-transparent.
also
David Sylvian - Weatherbox (Russel Mills & David Coppenhall 1989)
Russel Mills also did a NIN cover (The Downward Spiral), but this boxset for Sylvian is my favorite by him. Not only the images, but the thought to print on the CD cases, and the heavy textured papers inside.
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (Barry Godber 1969)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Court_of_the_Crimson_King
- you don't forget this image once you have seen it, a great way to launch a band.
Just to say, I see it as the package as a whole, not just a front image, it gives you something to explore, and sometimes touch/feel, when you buy the album.
Most overrated album designer Peter Saville, yes some of the covers age great, but many are not his designs. Changing the text on a Jan Tsichold poster to one of the names of Factory's bands isn't design, it is plagiarism.
I am not keen on Storm Thorgerson's post Hipgnosis designs, they look expensive (they are) but lack any focus.
My least liked album cover is Duran Duran 'Rio', very distinctive, very 80's, absolutely empty of meaning or content.
It was work like the above that inspired me to go to art college and lead to my work today. I still play with design and make covers to for freely shared live recordings, see - http://www.cdr.vplay.co.uk/browse1.htm
This simply works for me, no text, it is just right for the album and band. It also looks you right in the eye.
Underworld - Second Toughest in the Infants (Tomato 1996)
90s design genius', I still have my 'begging for it' tour shirt. Simple, strong, distinctive.
Left to right, top
Led Zeppelin - Presence (Hipgnosis 1976)
Another great Hypgnosis cover, enigmatic.
Nine Inch Nails - All That Could Have Been (David Carson 2001)
Carson just breaks the rules, so a natural choice for NIN. It is the inner that is best, but the front type is excellent.
Radiohead - OK Computer (Stanley Donwood 1997)
60's urban planning idealism breaking down, lost children and lost people, pity the album has dated so much, the cover still works perfectly.
Genesis - A Trick of the Tail (Hipgnosis/George Hardy 1976)
Lovely innocent illustrations for a gentle innocent album, very Tenniel (Alice in Wonderland).
Left to right, bottom row.
This Mortal Coil - Filigree and Shadow (Vaughn Oliver as V23, 1988)
Now quite dated, but at the time beautiful typography, especially on the inner sleeves. His cover for The Pixies - Doolittle is great too. Just a Pity Vaughan Oliver is still doing exactly the same designs twenty years on.
Thelonious Monk Septet - Monk's Music
(no credit for design - probably just the 'Riverside' art department, 1957)
Very cool, very cooky.
Yes - Close to the Edge (Roger Dean 1972)
So fashionable to dislike Roger Dean, but his covers just capture the lightness of Yes' music. Such a great idea to conceal the painting inside the cover, he wanted to print one on the inside of the cover, so you had to unfold the package to find it.
Front 242 - Live Code
(Marina Verduyckt 1995)
Great North European modernist design. You have to hold the cover, coloured jewel case, and printed on tracing paper so that it is all layered and semi-transparent.
also
David Sylvian - Weatherbox (Russel Mills & David Coppenhall 1989)
Russel Mills also did a NIN cover (The Downward Spiral), but this boxset for Sylvian is my favorite by him. Not only the images, but the thought to print on the CD cases, and the heavy textured papers inside.
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (Barry Godber 1969)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Court_of_the_Crimson_King
- you don't forget this image once you have seen it, a great way to launch a band.
Just to say, I see it as the package as a whole, not just a front image, it gives you something to explore, and sometimes touch/feel, when you buy the album.
Most overrated album designer Peter Saville, yes some of the covers age great, but many are not his designs. Changing the text on a Jan Tsichold poster to one of the names of Factory's bands isn't design, it is plagiarism.
I am not keen on Storm Thorgerson's post Hipgnosis designs, they look expensive (they are) but lack any focus.
My least liked album cover is Duran Duran 'Rio', very distinctive, very 80's, absolutely empty of meaning or content.
It was work like the above that inspired me to go to art college and lead to my work today. I still play with design and make covers to for freely shared live recordings, see - http://www.cdr.vplay.co.uk/browse1.htm
Durutti Column's 'Return of the Durutti Column'. Made of sandpaper so it ruined the cover of any other record put next to it in the shop/your LP rack. (Plastic outer sleeve anyone?)
Jonathan
Used to own this, must track down another copy.
The album is great fun and from what I remember had great sound quality too
My copy had a white plain surround though unlike the above.
mat
quote:Originally posted by 555:
Great shout 555.
I like this one....but I hate that I can never remember which side the entry slot is to get the vinyl out.
Charles De Gaulle's been invaded....
In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson
Most of Santana's covers are superb but this my favourite.
And another favourite cover : )
