Why is album art so boring?

[Mattg]

I'm with JonT on this one, I've been fooled into buying a bad book cause the cover looked cool. Same with albums. I've heard some great albums with lame art. I really like having lyrics and any other info about the song or album though. Even though I've become an internet junkie, I still end up searching at the label or artist site for info on who was on the album, what they played, lyrics, etc. Rhapsody doesn't provide that info.

It's all about the tunes, eh?

[Uncle Choppy]

I don't mind at all album covers with photos of the artist(s) on the front/ inside. What really gets to me is that very often you see the band & their names are given,but they don't say who the dickens is who !!.Especially for us folk accross the water,we don't see these bands in order to be able to recognise them individually. I wish record manufacturers would address this problem. It's ok if the band members are holding their instruments,but very often they are not & we just have to guess (or not !!!).

I agree.

I think this is where David Grisman's Acoustic Disc deserves special praise.

The fantastic booklets with "Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza", "DGQ-20" and #"Tone Poets" are packed with information and (IMO) really add to these releases.

As an emusic member I could have downloaded these, but in each case I bought the CDs (which involved waiting for delivery from the US to the UK) just because of the extra info and photos.

Brendan

[mythicfish]

" but surely it's silly to deny the potential to draw in new fans through album art? If somene can make just one sale more than they would have otherwise made, I'd say it's worth it -- "

I believe that it's reasonable to have art work that attempts to express something of the artist or his/her work. But you don't have to have creative art work to sell CDs. A simple sticker will do ... how about "Prize Inside"

Curt

[stevem]

If ya got 2 pretty faces, no sense hiding 'em...

[mythicfish]

OMG! I've got a jacket just like Jethros!
And a face only a mother could love.

Curt

[JEStanek]

Those boys have faces for Radio! #(Insert rim shot.) No offense MandoPete. A comment I've heard of myself all to often. Wish I could play like them, tho...
Jamie

[MadMax]

If I had the technological know-how (which I don't!) I would scan in a copy of the cover to the Louvin Brothers' album, "Satan is Real." Ira Louvin designed this particular cover. It's worth taking a look at. It features a rather tall Satan (with buck teeth) standing in what appears to be the flames of Hell. Charlie tells an amusing story that the replica of Hell was created with charcoal and pieces of old tires. He says the place nearly exploded before they could finish the photography work. Now that's cover art!

[Jim Garber]

Here ya go...



Jim

[levin4now]

I think this one takes the cake. #I don't even know what to say about it. The mystique lies in "Who does your album art?"

Then of course we have this

And indeed THIS.

[levin4now]

Ok, maybe "takes the cake" was a little strong. But it has a seat at the table.

[fwoompf]

Hahahaha, wow. That's about all I can muster.

[AlanN]

That last one has the Grant Wood thing going on...too wise!

[mandocrucian]

Some "guys" (like Eddie, for example) really boost the sales of the albums:

http://www.coverportal.de/cover....d_a.jpg
not to mention all the merchandise (T-shirts etc)

[mandopete]

Those boys have faces for Radio! #(Insert rim shot.) No offense MandoPete. #

Hey, me too!

[LateBloomer]

In defense of album/CD covers just having a picture of the band..... my oldest son (11 years old) developed a crush on a band member (not the leader of a group) based on the CD photos. We found her address on the internet so he could send her a fan letter. Long story short, we are all good friends now. She has joined us for dinner, we have jammed together (even though my son still can't play a proper chord). This is one of the the things I like about Bluegrass music - the musicians are truly approachable!

[Uncle Choppy]

In defense of #album/CD covers just having a picture of the band..... my oldest son (11 years old) developed a crush on a band member (not the leader of a group) based on the CD photos. #We found her address on the internet so he could send her a fan letter. #Long story short, we are all good friends now. #She has joined us for dinner, we have jammed together (even though my son still can't play a proper chord). # This is one of the the things I like about Bluegrass music - the musicians are truly approachable!

Blimey - 11 years old and your son is bringing grown women home to dinner. He sounds more like an "EarlyBloomer" to me
Is the lady from "Country Church"?

[LateBloomer]

Ha ha! No, not the lady from "Country Church". It's Mary Jo Leet formerly with Dry Branch Fire Squad.

He also has a crush on June Carter Cash - not much I can do to help him with that one!!!

I think KEN 'by invitation only' would be your worst nightmare. {sorry actual Ken)