Every so often a CD comes along with a cover design so breathtakingly repellent that you want to stop and wonder whether anyone in a major record company ever gives a thought to the subject of packaging. The new Stereophonics album "Pull The Pin" is guilty of the usual sins: the attempt to visualise a song title which itself enshrines a cliché, insufficient thought given to whether the idea behind that cliché is itself an attractive one, all delivered via the kind of retro graphics which only designers are nostalgic for and topped off with a really rotten logo which is surprisingly difficult to decipher. Without listening to a note of music you know that the appeal of this record will not travel one inch beyond the Stereophonics' core.
It's a fine line between stupidity and genius, etc.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, ensuring that the cover will deter the non-fan ensures that no innocent party will be exposed to their music.
They lost me at stereophonics! Maybe all designers should go here for inspiration before starting work ?
ReplyDeletehttp://lpcoverlover.com/
(sorry of you've already seen it)
This must enter the gallery of shame that is the (unironic) worst albums covers of all time.
ReplyDeleteI loathe that cover, but I also have a special place of loathing in my heart for The Stereophonics; music for people who don't like music. I once saw them at a Virgin Radio party and was overcome by a wave of anger at them and their music that only Roxette have ever made me experience before.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's car coat rock of the worst kind.
ReplyDeleteHaving interviewed Stereophonics on more than one occasion I can assure you the covers are no better than they deserve...
ReplyDeleteWell to be fair the first album is pretty good, and bits of the second.
ReplyDeleteI'll get me coat...
Here's another album cover designed for the bargain bin:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nme.com/news/hard-fi/30007
"We wanted to break the rules," said Hard-Fi front-man Richard Archer. "We don't need some airbrushed band shot just because it might be expected. Fuck that. This is about the music."
Lord save us, what rot.
I think there must be a typo on that cover: Shouldn't it say 'Scorpions' at the top?
ReplyDelete