Lost Art?

The CD was released 1982. By 1986, the eight track had been replaced by the cassette. But, vinyl was still very much alive. Many had made the case that vinyl offered some very unique advantages. One such advantage was the art work. Each 12" by 12" jacket was an opportunity for some graphic artist to maybe make a name for his or her self.

Maybe you purchase all of your music as digital downloads. If so, you may not care one way or another about the art work that comes with an album. This might remain true until someone, maybe a friend of yours, shows you an amazing poster that came with the same CD that you have, that they ordered from Amazon.com.

OK, maybe that's not good enough. Have you ever heard a great song, bought the download and then wondered what the artist was singing? If it had come on vinyl, and all you wanted was the lyrics, you might just look on the back or on the inner sleeve. And, while you were perusing the words, you might actually end up checking out the great illustration that so aptly fits or ably depicts the concept of the music that you're listening to. Then, maybe what the band is trying to say with their music begins to not only to make sense, but you may also realize both the music and the illustrations are a total work of art.

Album cover art began in the late 1930s and was the brain child of Alex Stienwiess. Early work was primarily drawings and reflected social values, racial attitudes, lifestyles, fashion, and/or political views. Most of the decisions about album art were maintained by the record labels.

Through the 50s, photography was the major source of images on album covers as the artist or band would be brought front and center. This would last into the 60s until the release of the Beatles "Sgt. Pepper album." The cover consisted of the Beatles surrounded by photos of all of their friends or heroes. The album was a smash and served to change what was acceptable on album covers.

Throughout the decade of the 70s music fans were treated to some of the most memorable cover art ever made. Covers like Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy, The Eagle's Hotel California, or Yes', Relayer were just a few of the most notable. Some others to consider are Sly and the Family Stone's, There's A Riot Going On, the Ohio Players, Honey, and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

By the mid 80s the switch to CD created a change in packaging which reduced an albums cover size to 12cm by 12cm. This smaller size left little room for detail. Eventually, the fold out booklet allowed for the addition of more art, lyrics and album credits. As vinyl and then cassettes were phased out, the digital download of the 90s did away with album art altogether, as the Mp3 became popular.

But, the 90s also brought back the artist photo as the principle image on album packaging. As the careers of more and more recording artist became dictated by their image, and while more emphasis was put on hit singles, less importance was being place on the music as a concept that needed to be illustrated.

In this new millennium, with the rise of the DIY movement, there has been a resurgent interest in album art. Bands and artists are finding ways to get the art to their fans. Whether they're doing it themselves or getting outside help, including the art work as a value added feature of a CD purchase or full length LP download is just one way that it's being done. This has the makings of a possible music renaissance.