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Post by soonerorlater on Aug 9, 2018 15:33:01 GMT
Bear with me on this one - it's not easy to explain but....
....how important to you is an album's cover/artwork?
I've always felt that the right album packaging can compliment the music to such a degree that the two become synonymous, a total concept that is inextricably linked within the minds of an artist's fans. Think Sgt Peppers' or Dark Side Of The Moon or Tubular Bells. The artwork hints at the musical content before you've heard a single note, a kind of visual stamp that draws you to the music.
I mention all of this now because for a while, downloading, streaming and even the compact disc almost destroyed the relevance of effective album artwork. The resurgence of vinyl and the fondness for CD boxsets/multi-disc special editions has brought it back. When I hungrily opened the parcel that contained Secret Messages last week it all came flooding back how brilliant a cover it actually is and how totally it absorbs itself in the music contained within. The much mentioned alternative/original 'handshake' cover would have done the same.
In terms of ELO, I think they got the following pieces of album artwork absolutely spot on: Electric Light Orchestra, Eldorado, Face The Music, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue, Discovery, Xanadu, Secret Messages and Balance Of Power. Now, Discovery is a curious example. I'm no great fan of the album but still the artwork dresses it appropriately.
Meanwhile, I think they got the following wrong: ELO 2, On The Third Day, Time, Zoom, Alone In The Universe and pretty much every compilation album (think dreadful Greatest Hits medal cover for example). It doesn't mean in any way that they're bad albums or particularly poor pieces of artwork in isolation, it means that for me the music isn't supported by the visual concept that accompanies it as well as it could have been.
So, am I just talking pretentious twaddle? Have you got a clue as to what I'm going on about? Do you agree with the theory but have a different take on the way I've listed the albums?
I'd love to hear other opinions.
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Post by BSJ on Aug 9, 2018 18:09:18 GMT
I agree... "a visual stamp..". A few covers spring to mind. Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s, Brain Salad Surgery. Eric Clapton, Slow Hand Moody Blues, Long Distance Voyager Super Tramps, Breakfast In America All of Santana’s.
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denver
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Post by denver on Aug 10, 2018 0:03:24 GMT
To me, my introduction to ELO was through their album covers, before I had even heard a song. I don't know if they had the Columbia Record Club in Britain, but in the US, A New World Record and Out Of The Blue were featured because of their vibrancy, they were used to sell more records.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2018 8:12:08 GMT
I think TIME and Out Of The Blue have the best album covers, although I do appreciate the unabashed "80s-ness" of Balance Of Power's cover. Coincidentally, I us all of them as the wallpaper for my computer. I think Secret Messages has the ugliest cover by far, and I think it's my least favorite ELO album. The unused cover looks much better, but I can't find a hi-res image of it. Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment Deleted
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2018 8:14:57 GMT
On a related note, I think this image from Alone In The Universe's booklet makes for a much better cover. Overall, I'm usually much prouder of albums that I like that have great cover art.
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Post by pelo on Aug 10, 2018 12:22:16 GMT
In terms of ELO, I think they got the following pieces of album artwork absolutely spot on: Electric Light Orchestra, Eldorado, Face The Music, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue, Discovery, Xanadu, Secret Messages and Balance Of Power. Now, Discovery is a curious example. I'm no great fan of the album but still the artwork dresses it appropriately.
Meanwhile, I think they got the following wrong: ELO 2, On The Third Day, Time, Zoom, Alone In The Universe and pretty much every compilation album (think dreadful Greatest Hits medal cover for example). It doesn't mean in any way that they're bad albums or particularly poor pieces of artwork in isolation, it means that for me the music isn't supported by the visual concept that accompanies it as well as it could have been.
First of all, pertaining to ELO2 and On The Third Day, are you actually referring to the UK or US-cover? For example, I believe that the Richard Avedon bellybutton picture - although interesting - is not really a suitable cover, whereas the UK "King Of The Universe" cover is spot on. The Zoom artwork is fantastic in isolation, but it is misleading and the wrong concept if you keep in mind that the music on this album is anything but spacey (I prefer the alternative album artwork which has actually never seen the light of day, but could be found on the internet for some time. It's not exactly a brilliant piece of artwork, but definitely more fitting than the spaceship.) As far as Time and Alone In The Universe are concerned I couldn't disagree more. Those covers couldn't be better. What do you think is wrong with them? Finally, I should mention that I really like the BOP artwork (including the singles) which captures the spirit and high-tech feel of this album perfectly.
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Post by soonerorlater on Aug 10, 2018 13:20:20 GMT
Good points! I think the US ELO2 cover and the original UK OTTD cover are much nearer the mark than their respective alternatives but they still don't quite do it for me. They both lack a timeless quality, they're a product of their time. Totally agree as regards Zoom.
Time is an oddity. I quite like the design in isolation but I don't link it easily with the music. What do you actually think it is? Space and time as liquid concepts? I'm interested in your (or anyone's) views - just what does it mean? Alone In The Universe meanwhile is a cover that frankly made me cringe when I first saw it. To me, it's a lazy ELO cliché, much like most of the compilation albums that come our way. It's yet another retake on the spaceship theme but worse than that is the Jeff Lynne-like figure sitting on the ground. It's clumsy sixth-form artwork and while we're at it, Wembley Or Bust isn't much better!
100% agree!!
Thank goodness we're all different
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2018 19:15:45 GMT
In terms of ELO, I think they got the following pieces of album artwork absolutely spot on: Electric Light Orchestra, Eldorado, Face The Music, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue, Discovery, Xanadu, Secret Messages and Balance Of Power. Now, Discovery is a curious example. I'm no great fan of the album but still the artwork dresses it appropriately.
Meanwhile, I think they got the following wrong: ELO 2, On The Third Day, Time, Zoom, Alone In The Universe and pretty much every compilation album (think dreadful Greatest Hits medal cover for example). It doesn't mean in any way that they're bad albums or particularly poor pieces of artwork in isolation, it means that for me the music isn't supported by the visual concept that accompanies it as well as it could have been.
First of all, pertaining to ELO2 and On The Third Day, are you actually referring to the UK or US-cover? For example, I believe that the Richard Avedon bellybutton picture - although interesting - is not really a suitable cover, whereas the UK "King Of The Universe" cover is spot on. The Zoom artwork is fantastic in isolation, but it is misleading and the wrong concept if you keep in mind that the music on this album is anything but spacey (I prefer the alternative album artwork which has actually never seen the light of day, but could be found on the internet for some time. It's not exactly a brilliant piece of artwork, but definitely more fitting than the spaceship.) As far as Time and Alone In The Universe are concerned I couldn't disagree more. Those covers couldn't be better. What do you think is wrong with them? Finally, I should mention that I really like the BOP artwork (including the singles) which captures the spirit and high-tech feel of this album perfectly. I didn't know there was an unused cover for Zoom! Do you know where it would be online?
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Post by astraltraveler on Aug 11, 2018 8:35:10 GMT
First of all, pertaining to ELO2 and On The Third Day, are you actually referring to the UK or US-cover? For example, I believe that the Richard Avedon bellybutton picture - although interesting - is not really a suitable cover, whereas the UK "King Of The Universe" cover is spot on. The Zoom artwork is fantastic in isolation, but it is misleading and the wrong concept if you keep in mind that the music on this album is anything but spacey (I prefer the alternative album artwork which has actually never seen the light of day, but could be found on the internet for some time. It's not exactly a brilliant piece of artwork, but definitely more fitting than the spaceship.) As far as Time and Alone In The Universe are concerned I couldn't disagree more. Those covers couldn't be better. What do you think is wrong with them? Finally, I should mention that I really like the BOP artwork (including the singles) which captures the spirit and high-tech feel of this album perfectly. I didn't know there was an unused cover for Zoom! Do you know where it would be online?
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Post by astraltraveler on Aug 11, 2018 8:37:35 GMT
There is the ELO Zoom promo cover, of course, which can be found online. Otherwise than that there is the 'rejected' cover that, to the best of my knowledge, never was used except for maybe some kind of initial place holder. There is also this initial Time cover you may be interested in? Both pretty low res. As for a high res cover of the originally intended (?) "handshake" cover for SM, Gordon Lynne is probably your (our) best hope. He shared a stunning picture of a photoshopped version he had done in high res - with watermarks - on the Steve Hoffman forum. An absolute beauty! I don't seem to be able to attach files, please let me know if you want me to PM the pics to you
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2018 8:52:42 GMT
Wait, is this it?
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Post by astraltraveler on Aug 11, 2018 8:55:52 GMT
Yes, that's the one.
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Post by Horacewimp on Aug 11, 2018 10:34:20 GMT
There is the ELO Zoom promo cover, of course, which can be found online. Otherwise than that there is the 'rejected' cover that, to the best of my knowledge, never was used except for maybe some kind of initial place holder. There is also this initial Time cover you may be interested in? Both pretty low res. As for a high res cover of the originally intended (?) "handshake" cover for SM, Gordon Lynne is probably your (our) best hope. He shared a stunning picture of a photoshopped version he had done in high res - with watermarks - on the Steve Hoffman forum. An absolute beauty! I don't seem to be able to attach files, please let me know if you want me to PM the pics to you Have a look here for information about attachments and pictures jefflynneselo.proboards.com/thread/1416/picture-attachments-file-storage-spacewww.proboards.com/user-guide/posting/inserting-images
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2018 8:30:55 GMT
Someone on the ELO subreddit made a poll asking what everyone's favorite ELO album cover was. It seemed relevant enough, so I'll post it here. www.strawpoll.me/16255575
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Post by janne on Aug 12, 2018 9:54:20 GMT
ELO's covers are a mixed bag. Hard to beat Out of The Blue, with the fold out cover and the portraits of the classic lineup.
I actually like the Greatest Hits medal cover.
The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach cartoon cover is so ugly it's great.
Which albums has alternate covers (actually released)? ELO II On The Third Day The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach
Others?
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