ALBUM COVERS

Some research on past and present album covers
CONVENTIONS

- Artist Name/Logo (Front, Spine, sometimes Back)
- Album Name (Front, Spine sometimes Back)
- Tracklisting (Back)
- Record Company Logo/Info (Back, Spine)
- Copyright Info (Back)
- Barcode (Back).
However, the main image(s) on an album cover often vary depending on the music genre. Pop and RnB acts tend to be more polished and airbrushed, featuring a CU/MCU of the artist in a glamorised pose.
CATEGORIES
- Genre (Pop; R&B; Rock; Dance; Alternative etc.)
- Chronologically (Release Date)
- Format (CD, Vinyl etc.)
- Target Audience (Age; Gender; Music tastes etc.)
- Image (Illustrated, Photograph or Artists' Photograph?)
- Artist (Mainstream, Independent or Unsigned?). .
FUNCTIONS

Promotional Image: Artists' personality, musical style or influences can be portrayed by constructing an effective image that the audience can identify.

Genre: The genre of music is often identifiable just by looking at the cover. Dance albums, for example, tend to use lots of visual effects whereas a mellow indie band may use an abstract photograph..

Tracklisting: By providing the names of all the tracks it helps, for example, new fans of an artist who are aware of some of their singles and want to branch out and hear their other tracks. This is particularly important in the new ages of digital music, where consumers can download specific tracks from an album at their discretion..

Basic Information: Covers need to provide certain vital information very clearly. The name of the artist must be very prominent so it catches the audience’s attention and the album title must be clear so it is distinguishable from other releases. Institutionally, important record company and copyright information is needed..

Lure the Audience: If the cover is striking, bold and eye-catching then its visual appeal will entice audiences into both looking at the cover and finding out more about the artist. This is vital when marketing an artist in such a overcrowded industry – each cover must be something new to get the audience’s attention.



Indie rock/ punk/ rock album covers








these covers have an indie feel to them, using earthy or dull colours, browns, black and whites

the razorlight album and the killers album have the band posing in a line. this is quite conventional of bands, to have them lined up all together wearing clothes that will appeal to their targhet audiences- in this case- skinny jeans, tee shirts, trainers- will appeal to indie kidsm teenagers, young adults, etc.


Uk Grime album covers






these album covers all have the artists on the front in a 'street' pose. they also have lots of graphics on them making them more urban and edgy.

American hip hop/ RnB album covers

the hiphop album covers all seem to have an image of themselves looking attractive and sexual on the front, maybe to appeal to the oppsite sex and to make the same sex idolise them. this is how they construct a star image on the front cover of their album.