Album Artworks
Beat Circus - 'Boy From Black Mountain'
How is the band/artist represented?
The band is represented in a seemingly traditional early 20th century way, as is shown by the steam locomotive and the simple wood cabins that reach back to when the mining industry took off due to the introduction of steam power. This creates a metanarrative of the band that fits in with the subject of the album of family and fatherhood in the tradition of Southern Gospel songwriters. In Dyer's terms, the band is absent from the artwork, giving a sense of mystery, yet also present in the way that the artwork represents their decision on the concept of the album.
What visual techniques are used?
The dominant reading path is followed in this artwork, with the band and album being introduced with text at the top left. The eye is then directed to bottom right by the direction of the train, and by the mountain pointing down to that corner. The rule of thirds is also adhered to, with the album name along the upper horizontal line, and the train along the lower.
The Kooks - 'Konk'
How is the band/artist represented?
The Kooks are here represented as typical young people, hanging outside a club during a night out. The action codes of the band and their costume make them seem ordinary, yet they are made extraordinary by the stark light they are placed in. The group are present in the artwork, but also absent by being alone.
What visual techniques are used?
The band are clearly the focus of the image, with the rest of the scene blacked out, and what looks like a spotlight effect over the band. The dominant reading path is again followed, the eye starting with the text that introduces the band, and then the image of the members.
Breaking Benjamin - 'Dear Agony'
How is the band/artist represented?
The band are represented as quite abstract and abnormal, as the image of a brain scan is not something that is considered familiar to the majority of people. The band are absent, not featuring on the album cover at all, other than in name. The band are shown to be ordinary, as the brain is something common to all people, yet extraordinary in their mystery.
What visual techniques are used?
A brain scan has been used as the image for this album cover. The rule of thirds has been deliberately broken, with the image in the centre of the cover. This, coupled with the unfamiliar image is likely to make the audience feel ill at ease, following with the album name 'Dear Agony'.
Good comments matt, to finish off, discuss the possible connotation of the title of the album, the band and the semic codes of colour
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