Album Cover Analysis

From top left: Biffy Clyro- Puzzle, Dead mau5- Random album Title, The Beatles- Sgt. Pepper's, The doors- Waiting for the Sun, Marina and the Diamonds- The Family Jewels, The Beatles- Revolver, CocoRosie- La Maison De Mon Reve, Blondie- Parallel lines.

Album covers are used to market the artist and their album and draw an audience and interest them. The majority of album covers have the artists name in large typography at the top or bottom of the cover. The album name is generally underneath the artists name in smaller typography. An album cover generally has a background/setting with a centre dominant image, generally of the artist or an image reflecting the album and themes. A prime example is the Blondie- parallel lines where Debbie Harry is portrayed as the dominant member with the rest of the band behind her, they use a simple background which works well as the attention is then drawn to the artist. The artists title is used in a logo signature type font which makes the album more personal to her fans. Lots of other artists have used this idea including The doors, Marina and the Diamonds, Deadmau5 and CocoRosie.

The covers I have chose are categorised very differently. Biffy Clyro do not portray their band in their album covers, instead they use imagery. This is used to show that they are more interested in their music and being part of band than the image they receive from it. Deadmau5 have used a computerised image of the artist which reflects their music and the idea it is all electronic. The doors and Blondie both use images of the artists, this is their main selling point as they are known by their faces and star image. Marina and the Diamonds also uses this technique but the main artist/star, Marina, is posing seductively, this appeals to an audience of girls admiring her and men who are attracted to her. CocoRosie use the artist in the cover however they mix imagery with it too, this helps show their emotions and innocence that the album tries to portray, and adds a more serious feel than drawing attention to the artists image. The Beatles have used a collage like cover, including the artist in the image. This adds a fun feel and suggests what the album may be about.

A album covered is used to advertise and identify the contents of the product, to convey the artistic aspirations of the original artists and in promotional efforts surrounding the product as an identifiable image associated with it.