Practical// Primary Album Cover Research.

Below are some examples of 4 page album covers, this idea was first thought up by Gary Burden, the designer of many famous albums, in particular Crosby, Stills and Nash's first cover. This idea really changed how people looked at album cover as it mean't record companies began spending more on album artwork. In a result of this album covers became more interesting with pull outs of photographs and lyrics. It meant the audience could become closer to the music within the packaging.

White Fence: Family Perfume (2012)

Above we have Tim Presley's White Fence with their album Family Perfume Vol 1&2. There isn't exactly that much going on within this album packaging, there is however a lyrics pull out sheet which you can study. Alone with Tim Presley's artwork there is a thank you letter from him to people who helped with the process and release of the album. 

Frank Zappa: 200 Motels (1971)

This packaging has loads going on. Considering this is the music for Frank Zappa's movie there is a lot to talk about! Pages 2-3 is pretty random with some images from the recording of the album. There is also a list of the band members and their roles alone with a full description of the album information. Within you find a booklet full of photography from the filming of the movie and the recording of the album. It's stuff like this that comes with the album that the audience really like to see as they get to find out pretty much everything about the making of the album. 

Fuzz- Fuzz (2013)

Ty Segall's new three piece band called Fuzz came out with this beautiful cover art and packaging. Once opened you get a high quality photograph of the band performing. The inner sleeve is printed on a lovely stock and the record is see through. The inner sleeve also has the track lyrics along with people resonsible for roles such a cover art. It's band like this that today are still keeping the vinyl alive. 

The Doors: Morrison Hotel (1970)

This is actually a repress so feels cheap and tacky and has a rubbish innersleeve. However it is four sided and you get a large landscape photo of the four enjoying a beer at the Hard Rock Cafe taken by Henry Diltz.  On the back you get the standard track names and track order along with how long each song is. 

Pink Floyd: Ummagumma (1969) 

Very simple in terms of information about the album. The cover art was designed by Storm Thorgerson and was probably a big reason why it sold so well. Within you have pictures of the band and what instruments they played in the album. On the back you have track names alone with people responsible for certain roles in the album such as the producer etc. 

Melanie: Gather Me (1971)

This is a great album in terms of it's packaging. Within you get an illustrated inner sleeve with lyrics on it and a landscape of Melanie. On the back you get whats on the album with how long each song is, alone with the musicians that were responsible for what your hearing. My favorite part of the album is this picure pull out you get printed on a lovely glossy stock. In total you get 5 photos which are easy to separate which means you can put them on you wall. 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Deja Vu (1970)

Heres another album designed by Gary Burden. I love how the photo on the front is of a diffrent stock to the cover, it makes it feel like you have a family picture album or something like that. There is loads of different textures on it making it feel special. Within are a series of photographs of the band whilst recording for the album. This is very old and doesn't seem to have a pull out sheet with lyrics but when new it could have. 

Frank Zappa: Hot Rats (1969)

Within Frank Zappa's Hot Rats you will find information about the music and a series of photographs which make you feel you are looking back stage almost. You also get the lyric for strangely just one song 'Willie The Pimp'. Personally this is my favroite song so I guess it was theirs too! 

The Moody Blues: To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)

The cover art and art withen this is visually very nice. On pages 2-3 you the track names and who write them along with a photograph of the band sitting in a cave. The photograph looks like it has then been painted on again to give this dream like feel. You also get a pull out sheet with the lyrics of each song. 

Yes: Close To The Edge (1972)

The visuals on this a strong, especially on sides 2-3 where you will find this lovely landscape panting which is nice to look at when listening. On the back you will find photos of the band recording along with the band members names and their role. 

Tame Impala: Innerspeaker (2010)

This album has nothing has no photos of the band and feels like it was very cheap to print. This is something I find very common with modern day vinyl packaging. The inner sleeves are made from a very cheap paper that is a nightmare to deal with, it never seems to want to go back in. This is something that will be eliminated with the multimedia album cover! Inside you simply get the lyrics, which are very hard to read as the text is blue and so it the background. 

The Allman Brothers Band: Brothers and Sisters(1973)

This album has a young boy on the front and a young girl on the back. Within you find a large landscape of the band members with their family and friends. The album has a very friendly and comfortable vibe to it. You also get a pull out sheet with lyrics and information about the record company and who produced it. 

James Taylor: Mud Slide Slim (1971)

Simple open up with lyrics for each song alone with who was responsible for what. The back then has a nice illustration and the words "And The Horizon Blue". Underneath this are the lyrics to 'Love Has Brought Me Around'. This is obviously there for people to read and tempt them to buy the record.

Elton John: Tumbleweed Collection (1970)

I found this at home and was taken back at how incredible the packaging is. The booklet is just made up of the lyrics in the album. Each page has a different song on it along with illustrations and photographs. In 1970 when this was released this was most defiantly a treat for anybody listening to the record. Its something like this I would like to produce. On the last two pages you can find portraits of all the musicians and producers involved with the album.