If ever there was doubt about what was the inspiration behind the latest cover for “Yes” from the Pet Shop boys I think this quote covers it all.

“When we had our first meeting about this album, Neil and Chris said that this was their most ‘pop’ album in a long time and the idea of creating something very bright and colourful – as we had for their ‘Introspective’ album – really appealed to them,” says Mark Farrow. “They had also been inspired by the Gerhard Richter 4900 exhibition at the Serpentine gallery which featured panels of brightly coloured squares.”

Farrow Design once again provided the design and continue their long stading relationship with the band. While some record labels treat design agencies like disposable toys it’s nice to see bands sticking by design houses for extended periods of time.

Here is Gerhard Richter (that has to be one of the most German names I have ever heard) talking about his 4900 exhibition.

Personally I hate this type of minimal art BS. But I do like it when juxtaposed with a stained glass window like this one featured on his Wikipedia page for the Cologne Cathedral.

Is the colored squares forming a “tick” which is a literal translation of the album name lazy or inspired? While I think in an artistic sense it is lazy (or uninspired) from a graphic design point of view I think its a beautiful solution. The art can be easily translated to a number of mediums and it lends itself to a multitude of remixes and interpretations for future singles. As seen below with the Love Etc. singles. And more importantly, for bands these days, it was probably cheap to produce. Although Farrow’s services would not come cheap.

Oh and to throw in another positive the artwork reduces down to a thumbnail well and so browsing iTunes or Amazon it’s simple enough to stand out.

The album photos also features the coloured squares breaking up photos of the duo. This might have been done to hide the fact they only had two photos and no idea for this part.

In addition to the album there was also a Limited Edition double disc seen below.

But you can’t call yourself a fan unless you buy the super limited edition 11 x vinyl edition which will consist of the album tracks split over eleven separate vinyl records, each in a coloured sleeve, all housed in a smoked Perspex case. Yours for just £300! Ouch. Sorry they are sold out already.

Here’s two highlights;

• Additional 12th sleeve contains giclee art print hand signed and numbered by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, plus heavyweight information card containing full track list, credits and colour key.
• When correctly arranged the eleven album sleeves will allow you to make up your own tick, measuring some eight feet in length.
(Why would you want to do this!! Seriously) If you have done this please send us the photo.

These limited edition sets were produced by The Vinyl Factory which seems to be making a name for itself producing hi-end fan porn.

If anyone has paid attention to what NIN has been doing lately you can see that this trend is here to stay. It seems to be a legitimate way for fans to make some real dosh. It’s the new basketball cards where collecting stuff will someday pay off….

This time the album is white and the limited editions are black where as it was the opposite for the “Fundamental” album which was black with the single in white.

Here is the official film clip and the pre-release “listening clip” for the Love Etc singles. I love that labels are embracing the “listening clip” as a legitimate way to promote a song.

Here’s the official clip. Sad no pixels in this one. It reminds me of a Gilbert and George piece of art.

As we always seem to hark on about it’s nice to see the Pet Shop Boys official site take on the look of the album. Although I wish they would do away with the 100% flash interface, especially in the news section.

Lastly the actual CD itself (yes music still comes on CD’s) is devoid of colour.

Freud’s Corner: Is the tick a subconscious symbol for the male erection?

You can read more about the cover here on Creative Review’s blog.

This feature is slightly different as this is the first album app I had seen featured on the iTunes App Store. Luckily the cover itself isn’t horrible either as I would have found it harder to justify the post.

The design direction is by Farrow who are serial offenders to doing nice high concept artworks. It ticks the boxes when it comes to singles and website. Each single features a different origami star and their official website has integrated it into the background well.

The first single’s artwork for “Take Back The City”

The back features the hand written text. Which you hope isn’t a font.

Sadly I only have tiny thumbnail artwork, so anyone from Farrow (they don’t return my emails) or anyone else please send me bigger versions.

Here’s the standard and limited edition covers for “Crack the Shutters”

But it was the iPhone app that got my interest. It was in the “featured” section of the App Store and as it’s the first promotional album app or “interactive booklet” I had seen. It’s 46MB so if you’re pulling that down from anything less than 3G then sucks to be you.
Click here to download it.

The app is an interactive version of the cover. You navigate the star field by zooming in and out and click the stars then unfold them to read lyrics and view videos. Problem is the app is confusing to use and the videos are very short. One video is just 11 seconds long! Also why I’d want to download an app to read some lyrics is another question that goes unanswered.

Here’s some grabs of what it looks like. The artwork has been created directly from the cover with the actual origami coming to live with a stop motion effect. While navigating the app there is no audio.

So why does an app like this get made?
My cynical mind has me believe it was more for the record label and for the buzz it would attract. There’s no way to sample any of the music off the album and if anyone can find the link to buy the album in the app in less than 5 min I’ll start a slow clap in your honour. There was reports that 30,000 apps were downloaded in the first week which is pretty good. But if my experience is anything to go off they downloaded it, spent 30 seconds with it and then deleted it. But don’t take my word for it lets look at the 6 reviews on the App Store.

Even with those reviews the app is in the top 15 music apps on iTunes store right now, with Pink’s Funhouse app in the top 30. Pink went down the mini site route with her app. Download P!nks Funhouse here. More info here.

Where does this leave other artists?
I look forward to seeing more music artist related Iphone apps in the future but with a little more thought put into it. As with all new medium the early examples aren’t always the best solution. If you have seen any more examples of Iphone apps for bands and music labels please comment below.

If ever there was a limited edition packaging that was never meant to be heard it’s this one. Spiritualized’s “Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space” came presented in a prescription medicine box with 12 mini CD’s in blister packs. The problem would be actually listing to the album. Changing the CD 12 times (back before MP3′s become the norm) would have been a pain in the ass.

As a collectors item though it’s brilliant. You can’t listen to the CD’s without ruining the packaging. So you’d have to buy two copies.

The pack has been created to resemble drug packaging in every way. This kind of special pack would send a shiver down the spine of a cost conscious label manager today. But I guess so would commissioning one of the UK’s top design houses Farrow. If buying in bulk, to the level of drug companies, it might be cost efficient but with a limited run of around 5,000 you’re looking at a steep cost. But aside from the blister packs every other park of the pack is cheap to produce.

Here’s another show with it all spread out.

What I love about this pack is every facet has been though of. Dosage instructions replaces the album notes which are presented below. Just scroll the frame to read it all.

A 2xLP was released with shiny silver slip cases.

There was also a limited edition CD version which came in a blister pack.

Here’s a promo photo showing them packing the boxes for shipping. It again enforces the concept of the album.

The analogy that music is like a drug and makes you float in space is an obvious one.The band themselves were probably high while making the record too.

Even though this album is now 10 years old the official Spiritualized website still carries the medical theme as does a lot of their merchandise.

By itself the Fundamental cover is just a nice minimal designed cover. It’s only when put together with all supporting artwork for promos, font, singles, DVDs, merchandise, posters do you see the strength in having a simple yet interesting visual direction for an album. All credit to Farrow Design for their ability to keep the neon light look fresh with each iteration.

The neon track listing was actually shot as one photo. A steel frame with interchangeable rows was created to allow track names to be easily moved, as the track order was undecided at the time of construction. The neon work was constructed by A1 Designs. All photography was done by serial Farrow collaborator John Ross who also did the Manic Street Preachers cover we featured.

The first single of the album “I’m With Stupid” kept the theme going nicely. A custom neon like font was created specifically for the album.

The second single off the album “Minimal” went with a white background.

The black version below was for the DVD. I really like this look.

The Boys also made good use of the neon lights for multiple promo shots for various media.

It’s great seeing the entire package together rather than have nice cover art and then separate promo shots. I bet they don’t want to see another neon light for a while though.

On October 8th, 2007, Pet Shop Boys will release Disco 4, the latest in their series of remix albums. the PSB remix tracks from The Killers, David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Madonna, Atomizer and Rammstein. Only two tracks by the Boys, “Integral” and “I’m with Stupid” will be included.

The cover art features fluorescent lights arranged to form the numeral 4.

The inner sleeve shows the lights jumbled up, or remixed. How cleaver!

This piece reminds me of Dan Flavin’s minimalistic fluorescent light work.

And if you’re a fan of Little Britain you can check out the film clip for “I’m With Stupid” which parodies the PSB’s visual history.

It’s interesting that what a band wears during their live gigs becomes a trademark. I guess Kiss worked this way too.

This cover which features two skulls (Paul and Phil Hartnoll actual X-rays) wearing headlights in a Skull & Cross bones design feels like a metal cover and not the usual slick imagery we see for Electronica bands.

Also if you’re into X-Ray photos (and not the voyeur kind) then check out Albert Koetsier’s X-Rayography.

Orbital became known for wearing head mounted lights during live gigs which probably started more as a practical thing. How else will they see all the knobs? Although Spanish DJ Chimo Bayo (not related to Scott Baio) claims he originated the trend.

Here’s half of Orbital.

And here’s Chimo Bayo.

The US 2 disc version was coloured red. Probably for no other reason than it looks tougher.

This is another Farrow Design cover who are still producing some of the nicest work I’ve seen out of the UK and making my job easier on Sleevage by having a huge portfolio of music work to draw from.

Off Topic:
And just because I love The Simpsons and this is what came up a lot when searching for X-Ray Skull here’s Homer Simpson’s skull X-Ray.

I love this cover for being both sexy and abstract at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Farrow design had commissioned extra photos from John Ross. Badabing! They feel a little Clockwork Orange to me for some reason.

These would work great as posters.

I also like this triptych below which was created by two singles and DVD release. Farrow mention on their website that they felt it was too good to waste at CD size. Which must be hard for many designers. A 12 inch cover really gives you a nice canvas size, can you imagine going to the Louvre and looking at all the art thats 12×12 cm? Artist knew back then new bigger was better.