Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Under the Covers
EXERCISE TIME! Think of your favorite albums of all time. Now, think of the album cover of each one. Are these covers memorable? Can you remember colors, facial expressions, or other details of the cover?
Album covers are a very important part of the music world. Average ones are often overlooked, and some music labels certainly select an image based on its marketability. But covers serve a purpose beyond catching the music browser's attention. The cover can be an extension of the album, showcasing a feeling or message through the cover. Join me in my latest Monday Music Moment as we look at different album covers and analyze how they impact us as both music lovers and consumers.
Some Background
Album art wasn't prevalent in the music industry until the late 1930s, when graphic designer Alex Steinweiss was hired by Columbia records to design art for album covers. While Steinweiss was not the first artist to ever create an album cover, he is credited with spreading the concept and turning the art form into an industry standard.
As a young music fan who is somewhat in tune with older music, I think I can be a somewhat reliable caliper of what album art has 'passed the test of time.' Whether found on the internet, in magazines, or in another medium, some timeless album covers pop up frequently enough that they are even recognized by youngn's like myself. Whether you're 21 or 50, you've most likely come across some famous album covers from artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, and Fleetwood Mac.
While it's clear that exposure plays a huge part in memorable album covers (Dark Side of the Moon is the third best-selling album of all time, Rumours is the tenth), we see from this limited set of covers the various types of album covers, and how they can be successfully done.
Artist Portraits
One of the most common types of album covers, there are clearly marketing advantages to using the artist's likeness on the cover. Although I sometimes question the true effectiveness of this cover (will a straight man attracted to the naked Katy Perry on her Teenage Dream cover actually buy the album if he's not a fan of pop music?), using the artist's image does make the album easier to process for potential fans. Browsing old albums in record stores, a music fan may skip over more creative album covers while pausing to examine albums with recognizable faces on the cover.
While some covers certainly present the artist in an interesting way (such as the forlorn looking Joni on the Blue album cover), the problem with this cover is that it's been done so many times that covers can often become boring.
But while the artist portrait album covers can seem quite stale at times, other artists present their likenesses in interesting, creative ways.
While I might not pay much attention to Lauryn Hill's face staring at me from an album cover, I definitely take a second look when I realize it is scratched into the top of a desk (Miseducation... get it?). This is one example of an album's cover relating to the content of the record, which is filled with short conversations that sound as if they are recorded in a classroom, where the students discuss the concept of love. This direct tie to the music makes the cover more meaningful for listeners and in extension, more memorable.
Minimalist
Some very famous album covers, like The Beatles' The White Album and Pink Floyd's The Wall, present covers with little text or pictures. While such albums may be viewed by some as 'boring,' with the amount of flashy covers currently found in a record store, sometimes it is the minimalist album covers that capture our attention, like the following examples from The xx and Damien Rice.
'Artful'
Many artists/labels seemingly evade the task of creating album art by using someone else's art on their cover. Photographs and paintings have been used in the album art of acts such as Coldplay, The Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, and the following two examples (my personal favorites) from Brand New and Antony and the Johnsons respectively.
Both of these album covers are successful to me because the art is somehow reflected in the music. The cover to Antony's The Crying Light features one of the most striking images I've ever seen, at once twisted, sad, and even a little frightening. And the music on the album, and even Antony's unique voice, could match all of these adjectives as well. I always welcome a good 'artful' album cover when an artist can find an image that seems to perfectly capture the tone of the music.
Other
Some artwork that I love does not fall under the above categories. Some less narcissistic artists chose to use models or other people on their covers (perhaps because they are more-attractive, marketable, or endowed--as is the case with Sticky Fingers--than the artist). Here are three such examples, all from the Goo Goo Dolls.
All three covers are interesting and eye-catching while still seeming to have some relationship with the music (especially Dizzy Up The Girl). And honestly, I'm much happier to see these strangers on the cover than Johnny Rzeznik and co.
So...
What's next? Some claim that album art is dead while I think that album art will always have a place in the music industry. After all, you are forced to see the album cover when you download music from iTunes or Amazon, and are often given artwork when you import music into such music players. While the CD may die soon (though I hope not), I don't think that album art will die with it.
And of course, these are just my opinions of what makes good album art. Feel free to share your favorite album covers in the comments!
Album covers are a very important part of the music world. Average ones are often overlooked, and some music labels certainly select an image based on its marketability. But covers serve a purpose beyond catching the music browser's attention. The cover can be an extension of the album, showcasing a feeling or message through the cover. Join me in my latest Monday Music Moment as we look at different album covers and analyze how they impact us as both music lovers and consumers.
Some Background
Album art wasn't prevalent in the music industry until the late 1930s, when graphic designer Alex Steinweiss was hired by Columbia records to design art for album covers. While Steinweiss was not the first artist to ever create an album cover, he is credited with spreading the concept and turning the art form into an industry standard.
As a young music fan who is somewhat in tune with older music, I think I can be a somewhat reliable caliper of what album art has 'passed the test of time.' Whether found on the internet, in magazines, or in another medium, some timeless album covers pop up frequently enough that they are even recognized by youngn's like myself. Whether you're 21 or 50, you've most likely come across some famous album covers from artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, and Fleetwood Mac.
While it's clear that exposure plays a huge part in memorable album covers (Dark Side of the Moon is the third best-selling album of all time, Rumours is the tenth), we see from this limited set of covers the various types of album covers, and how they can be successfully done.
Artist Portraits
One of the most common types of album covers, there are clearly marketing advantages to using the artist's likeness on the cover. Although I sometimes question the true effectiveness of this cover (will a straight man attracted to the naked Katy Perry on her Teenage Dream cover actually buy the album if he's not a fan of pop music?), using the artist's image does make the album easier to process for potential fans. Browsing old albums in record stores, a music fan may skip over more creative album covers while pausing to examine albums with recognizable faces on the cover.
While some covers certainly present the artist in an interesting way (such as the forlorn looking Joni on the Blue album cover), the problem with this cover is that it's been done so many times that covers can often become boring.
But while the artist portrait album covers can seem quite stale at times, other artists present their likenesses in interesting, creative ways.While I might not pay much attention to Lauryn Hill's face staring at me from an album cover, I definitely take a second look when I realize it is scratched into the top of a desk (Miseducation... get it?). This is one example of an album's cover relating to the content of the record, which is filled with short conversations that sound as if they are recorded in a classroom, where the students discuss the concept of love. This direct tie to the music makes the cover more meaningful for listeners and in extension, more memorable.
Minimalist
Some very famous album covers, like The Beatles' The White Album and Pink Floyd's The Wall, present covers with little text or pictures. While such albums may be viewed by some as 'boring,' with the amount of flashy covers currently found in a record store, sometimes it is the minimalist album covers that capture our attention, like the following examples from The xx and Damien Rice.
'Artful'
Many artists/labels seemingly evade the task of creating album art by using someone else's art on their cover. Photographs and paintings have been used in the album art of acts such as Coldplay, The Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, and the following two examples (my personal favorites) from Brand New and Antony and the Johnsons respectively.
Both of these album covers are successful to me because the art is somehow reflected in the music. The cover to Antony's The Crying Light features one of the most striking images I've ever seen, at once twisted, sad, and even a little frightening. And the music on the album, and even Antony's unique voice, could match all of these adjectives as well. I always welcome a good 'artful' album cover when an artist can find an image that seems to perfectly capture the tone of the music.Other
Some artwork that I love does not fall under the above categories. Some less narcissistic artists chose to use models or other people on their covers (perhaps because they are more-attractive, marketable, or endowed--as is the case with Sticky Fingers--than the artist). Here are three such examples, all from the Goo Goo Dolls.
All three covers are interesting and eye-catching while still seeming to have some relationship with the music (especially Dizzy Up The Girl). And honestly, I'm much happier to see these strangers on the cover than Johnny Rzeznik and co.So...
What's next? Some claim that album art is dead while I think that album art will always have a place in the music industry. After all, you are forced to see the album cover when you download music from iTunes or Amazon, and are often given artwork when you import music into such music players. While the CD may die soon (though I hope not), I don't think that album art will die with it.
And of course, these are just my opinions of what makes good album art. Feel free to share your favorite album covers in the comments!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Ghosts in the Attic: Zero Hot Dogs
Growing up, my father worked all day and night in his pizzeria. Me and my siblings would starve and die sometimes have to come up with some creative dinners when he wasn't there to cook for us.
But occasionally, he would have the day off and we would either have Burger King (whoppers for everyone!), or he would cook on the grill. Here's a journal entry in which I chronicle one such cookout.
Entry dated May 28, 1996
Note that "helping my father with the grill" meant that I carried a few slices of cheese from the refrigerator to the grill. Although I am now a master chef, I didn't even know how to make mac 'n' cheese until last year.
AND HOT DOGS? I do not eat hot dogs. I can't believe that I ate a hot dog AND said it was good..... What was I thinking?
Oh wait, I ate zero hotdogs...
I'm not sure why I lied on page 1, if I was just going to tell the truth on page 2. Mrs. Gural was probably so disappointed in me.
This makes me think about how our tastes change over time. While I still eat 0 hot dogs, I do like some stuff that I hated as a child, and conversely, I don't eat some stuff that I did like as a child (like eggs!). Which leads me to question time!
What food did you used to hate that you now love? or
What food did you used to love that you now hate?
But occasionally, he would have the day off and we would either have Burger King (whoppers for everyone!), or he would cook on the grill. Here's a journal entry in which I chronicle one such cookout.
Entry dated May 28, 1996
On the weekend
I wen't outsidide
and helped my
father with the
grill. He made
cheeseburgers
and hotdogs.
I aet both of
them they were good
I wen't outsidide
and helped my
father with the
grill. He made
cheeseburgers
and hotdogs.
I aet both of
them they were good
Note that "helping my father with the grill" meant that I carried a few slices of cheese from the refrigerator to the grill. Although I am now a master chef, I didn't even know how to make mac 'n' cheese until last year.
AND HOT DOGS? I do not eat hot dogs. I can't believe that I ate a hot dog AND said it was good..... What was I thinking?
and some saled
I aet two and
1/2 cheeseburgers
and 0 hotdogs
On Sunday I
played a lot
and read James
and the giant
I aet two and
1/2 cheeseburgers
and 0 hotdogs
On Sunday I
played a lot
and read James
and the giant
Oh wait, I ate zero hotdogs...
I'm not sure why I lied on page 1, if I was just going to tell the truth on page 2. Mrs. Gural was probably so disappointed in me.
This makes me think about how our tastes change over time. While I still eat 0 hot dogs, I do like some stuff that I hated as a child, and conversely, I don't eat some stuff that I did like as a child (like eggs!). Which leads me to question time!
What food did you used to hate that you now love? or
What food did you used to love that you now hate?
Monday, August 16, 2010
My Digs
I moved! Well, I moved at the very end of May, so it's been a while. I've been meaning to blog about my new place, but I haven't been here very much. I live about an hour away from my job so I've been staying at my friend Megan's house (as you see in the 12 of 12) since she lives 10 minutes away from my job. I'm home this weekend, so I took pics of the digs.
I now live in the beautiful town of Lambertville. I live only blocks away from New Hope, PA, so I'm as far west in New Jersey as you can get. The town is only 1.3 square miles, so it's very similar in size to Ocean Grove (where I grew up).
Here's my apartment from the outside.
There's a little area in the back where you can sit and read, watch the squirrels play in the yard, or eat burgers feat. cancer and birth defects!
Then through the gate, you reach the backyard/garden.
So once you open the front door, you're facing the living room.
To the left of the living room is el cuarto de Ross y Christie.
And to the right of the living room is the kitchen.
That door in the kitchen leads to the bathroom.
You may have noticed the stairs to the left of the kitchen sink (feat. Britney Spears poster). They lead to my bedroom, the loft.
While the loft is kind of small, I still love it! I'm a small person and since I'm not afraid of being in the rest of the house (...) I can stretch out in the living room. I'm also thrilled to have all that space for books! I used to have books in boxes and desk drawers and under my bed. Now they all fit neatly on my bookshelves.
SO DO YOU LOVE MY APARTMENT OR WHAT?!?!
I now live in the beautiful town of Lambertville. I live only blocks away from New Hope, PA, so I'm as far west in New Jersey as you can get. The town is only 1.3 square miles, so it's very similar in size to Ocean Grove (where I grew up).
Here's my apartment from the outside.
There's a little area in the back where you can sit and read, watch the squirrels play in the yard, or eat burgers feat. cancer and birth defects!Then through the gate, you reach the backyard/garden.So once you open the front door, you're facing the living room.To the left of the living room is el cuarto de Ross y Christie.And to the right of the living room is the kitchen.That door in the kitchen leads to the bathroom.You may have noticed the stairs to the left of the kitchen sink (feat. Britney Spears poster). They lead to my bedroom, the loft.While the loft is kind of small, I still love it! I'm a small person and since I'm not afraid of being in the rest of the house (...) I can stretch out in the living room. I'm also thrilled to have all that space for books! I used to have books in boxes and desk drawers and under my bed. Now they all fit neatly on my bookshelves.SO DO YOU LOVE MY APARTMENT OR WHAT?!?!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
12 of 12 - August 2010
Y'all ready to hear about the most boring day of all time?
I went into work at 8am. Here's my cube!
Do you love my Miley Cyrus picture???
For breakfast I had some Honey Nut Cheerios.
I'm totally stealing that cup whenever I leave the job. It's a pretty large mug that's perfect for small bowls of cereal. I also love the outside, which feats. the signatures of the greatest literary figures ever, like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jonathan Swift, Catie Rosemurgy, and Melville.
Today, I had to make a very brief PowerPoint (5-6 slides) for the Texas state adoption. We are bidding our book Patterns for College Writing there.
It's actually hard to make such a short PP! I had to talk about why they should buy the book in basically 3-4 slides (first slide is just the title of the book and our company, and the last slide asks for audience questions). It's a good exercise in editing and being succinct.
For lunch I had Taco Bell and Skittles.
After a long day of work, I came home and got on the computer for hours.
How cute are my toys??
Then I read some more of my GRE study book.
How cute is my carpet??
I watched Project Runway at 9 and was VERY impressed with the runway show! Skip was clearly not as impressed.
After that, Katie started watching Jersey Shore so I bounced.
And got a shower.
I LOVE MY PAJAMAS (feat. Katrina's sweatshirt that I should probably give back to her eventually...)
How cute is my room?
I was almost ready for bed. I just had to brush my teeth.
How cute is my toothbrush holder?
I only had 11 pictures, so here's one with the 'negative' setting on my phone's camera.
Boring, huh?
I think my brand new phone takes decent pictures (in good lighting). YAY.
I went into work at 8am. Here's my cube!
Do you love my Miley Cyrus picture???For breakfast I had some Honey Nut Cheerios.
I'm totally stealing that cup whenever I leave the job. It's a pretty large mug that's perfect for small bowls of cereal. I also love the outside, which feats. the signatures of the greatest literary figures ever, like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jonathan Swift, Today, I had to make a very brief PowerPoint (5-6 slides) for the Texas state adoption. We are bidding our book Patterns for College Writing there.
It's actually hard to make such a short PP! I had to talk about why they should buy the book in basically 3-4 slides (first slide is just the title of the book and our company, and the last slide asks for audience questions). It's a good exercise in editing and being succinct.For lunch I had Taco Bell and Skittles.
After a long day of work, I came home and got on the computer for hours.How cute are my toys??Then I read some more of my GRE study book.
How cute is my carpet??I watched Project Runway at 9 and was VERY impressed with the runway show! Skip was clearly not as impressed.
After that, Katie started watching Jersey Shore so I bounced.And got a shower.I LOVE MY PAJAMAS (feat. Katrina's sweatshirt that I should probably give back to her eventually...)How cute is my room?I was almost ready for bed. I just had to brush my teeth.
How cute is my toothbrush holder?I only had 11 pictures, so here's one with the 'negative' setting on my phone's camera.
Boring, huh?I think my brand new phone takes decent pictures (in good lighting). YAY.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)