The Decemberists: The Crane Wife
I have never heard of The Decemberists but that’s the beauty of this cover. It made me do a double take and find out more about them.
This would have to have a plastic wrap and sticker displaying the bands name or the 15 year old working at the local HMV wouldn’t know what to do.
Luckily for you once you get it home you can have it sit there in all it’s glory. Text free. Why not frame it and pop it on your wall. It’s like the few subscription only magazines out there. It’s refreshing to see something sans type.
After looking at this a few times I noticed the blood stain on the females blouse. After checking the Wiki article you find out the entire album is based on a Japanese folk tale. A sad and poignant one at that.
You also find out National Public Radio listeners voted The Crane Wife the best album of 2006. Link here. And looking at the other 9 albums they all have forgettable covers.
So from a chance encounter with this cover on Amazon I’m now intrigued to go check out the album.
Update: I found out the artist behind this artwork (via the link from the artist link on the Menomena cover) is Carson Ellis
I checked out her blog Little Green House. I noticed she did this other piece Polish Bride below in a similar style.
The actual album was designed by Mike King of Crash America who’s done more band tour posters than you can poke a groupie at. The CD credits Colin Meloy for design also who is the signer of the band.
Note: I’m waiting on the artwork for the booklet which features even more beautiful artwork around the lyrics and portraits of the band members.
scullypdx:
Ummm Carson Eillis is a woman.
# 13 Sep 07 at 10:54 am
Ash:
Thansk Scully,
Carson actually contacted me to tell me just that and I forgot to update the post. The name is very deceptive.
# 13 Sep 07 at 11:37 am
Jake:
She does design for various folks here in the Portland, Oregon area. She is also Colin Meloy’s girlfriend.
# 03 Aug 08 at 3:28 am
tom:
Also, the best album to be released since The Constantines “Shine the Light”!
# 05 Aug 08 at 4:52 am