record covers 2

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Style of Eye - September 2007

record covers II

September 23rd 2007 23:25

There was always gonna be a second installment of this post, and no doubt a third and fourth and fifth. Let’s face it, there are more record covers out there than there are hot dinners, or should I say hot lunches (see movie posters II).

Of course for every sensational record cover there’s one that just looks wrong. There can be the intentionally wrong, and then there’s the wrong wrong, y’know, just bad concept, bad photography, bad artwork, bad lettering, etc. But I’m certainly not here to dwell on the terrible record covers.

I’m here to champion the cool, hip, stylish, innovative, sexy, sophisticated, suave, and altogether classic record covers. Of course, as I will re-iterate from time to time at this blog; taste is in the eye of the beholder. And I wish to blow my own horn here … If taste and beauty are in the eye of the beholder, then I am gifted with 20/20 ocular aesthetics.

But enough of the auto-fellatio, let’s get back to the matter at hand: record covers. Not silly little CD covers, where everything has been scrunched and condensed and compressed and shrunken, but the good ol’ fashioned 12”s of fun. That's where the protein lies.

Like movie posters I tend to gravitate toward the older ones (generally from the 70s and 80s), where there's less of the modern digital manipulation of images and more of the cut and paste, illustration and straight photography approach. Covers where the concept is king.

Me'Shell Nedgeocello - Peace Beyond Passion

Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel (aka Melt)

As a teenager I was impressed by the self-effacing Polaroid manipulation of the Peter Gabriel cover (an amazing album too). The Meatloaf album seemed to be in every record collection of every house I visited. Grace Jones' cut out face stared back at you with such masculine authority. H. R. Giger's acupuncture of Deborah Harry's face was cool, yet a little disturbing, while David Sylvian just simmered in his arty shadow. And as for Tom, well, that cover just summed up Mr Waits to a tee.

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Posted By: Raoul Duke - Category: graphics

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Comments

6 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Cibbuano

September 24th 2007 02:52

20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak

great post! This, and the last one make me want to buy every Ohio Players record I can find!

Comment by Mr Nice Guy

September 24th 2007 04:07

Pop Culturist

Bring over the collection!

Armed Forces from Elvis Costello, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy by Elton John, Never Mind from Nirvana (featuring that floating baby) and of course Sgt Peppers - all great covers.

Probably too many to list really - but a great thought provoker - nice post.

MNG

Comment by Raoul Duke

September 24th 2007 05:31

Style of Eye

Thankyou gentlemen, yes my two posts on record covers barely scratch the surface, tip of the iceberg as they say ...

Cibbuano, there's an Ohio Players cover to an album called Contradiction which shows a very sexy black lady stroking the head of a horse ... hmmmm.

Armed Forces elephants, Elton at the top of his game, greedy babies in the backyard pool, and all our heroes together in one shoot ... yup, some nice additions Mr Nice Guy ...
Stay tuned guys ...

Comment by Lilla

September 24th 2007 05:42

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald

Raoul,

..thanks again for the great visual FEAST ...

I can hear them all too...

Lilla ...

Comment by James Rickard

September 24th 2007 06:16

unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish

Great post and a GREAT bunch on album (album NOT CD) covers

Comment by Raoul Duke

September 24th 2007 08:36

Style of Eye

Lilla, glad to hear you chowing down on such a fine selection of (audio)visual treats ... lol

James, thank you my good man, yes, the original record dimensions (12" or 30.5cm) is such a joy to behold.

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