Album Cover Analysis

Here is a sample of my album covers I analysed for there common features and styles.

Conventions (front):

• Predominant band name
• Album name
• Clear, consistent colour scheme
• Key image (either of the artist or eye catching iconic graphic)
• Theme (e.g. Russia - Regina Spektor, Clowns - Sparklehorse)

Conventions (back):

• Track listings (with a consistent font or font style to front cover)
• Colour scheme (consistent with style of front cover)
• Bar code
• Record label (with logo)
• Additional graphic connected to the theme on the front cover
• Individual producers
• Copyright logo/details with date of release
• Artists website

Conventions (inside):

• Additional image of artist/graphic maintaining overall theme and colour scheme
• More details of copyright
• Slogan/phrase of the band

Categories:

• Debut vs. not debut - the debut albums tend to have the artists image whereas the established bands can opt for more abstract/controversial graphics
• Simplistic vs. complicated - they are either striking due their complex nature (e.g. Klaxons) or due to their simplistic images and colour schemes (e.g. Bloc Party)
• Graphics vs. photographic imagery
• Abstract/alternative vs. mainstream/glossy - albums seem to sell either the artists image (e.g. Calvin Harris) or the bands 'ideas' and iconography (e.g. Dananananaykroyd)

Functions/Purposes:

• Sell the album/music/artist
• Create/Develop/Re-invent the artists image
• Promote the individuality of different bands/singers by creating unique image associations
• Distinguish between different genres and their iconography
• Practically, to inform the consumer what music is avaliable on the album (what is original/extras etc.)