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Post by B.E. on May 7, 2023 13:00:52 GMT
I thought I'd do one more in this "album" series before moving on to other areas. I also thought it might be nice to introduce a (largely) non-music topic. So, whether you prefer to focus strictly on the front album cover or factor in the back cover and/or entire packaging, that's up to you. Voting is open!
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Post by jk on May 7, 2023 14:00:54 GMT
I thought I'd do one more in this "album" series before moving on to other areas. I also thought it might be nice to introduce a (largely) non-music topic. So, whether you prefer to focus strictly on the front album cover or factor in the back cover and/or entire packaging, that's up to you. Voting is open! View AttachmentGreat idea, B.E. . My eight are Surfin' U.S.A., Shut Down Volume 2, All Summer Long, Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Surf's Up and Holland. Explanations to follow!
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Post by B.E. on May 7, 2023 17:34:39 GMT
By the way, I'm going with the original US packaging in all cases but one: Live in London. That's got an awkward release history, go with your favorite. Personally, I've always been partial to the Netherlands 1971 gatefold release of Live in London. Probably won't make my list, but just wanted to give a shoutout. Click here (discogs.com)
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Post by B.E. on May 7, 2023 18:56:12 GMT
OK, in chronological order:
1. Surfin' Safari 2. Surfin' U.S.A. 3. All Summer Long 4. Concert 5. Christmas Album 6. Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) 7. Party! 8. Pet Sounds 9. Smiley Smile 10. Love You
Honorable mentions to the back cover of Friends, the Netherlands' Live in London, CATP, and 15 Big Ones!
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Post by lonelysummer on May 7, 2023 20:01:10 GMT
Not much to say here. In the 60's, Capitol created pretty good album covers for our guys. After that, not so much. I think of the Beatles and Bob Dylan as nearly always having strong album art; and that's something we really appreciated back in the days of "albums as albums". The presentation and packaging was almost as important as the music itself. The Wings albums were nearly always premium packaging - Red Rose Speedway was a gatefold jacket with full color book (like Magical Mystery Tour); Band on the Run had a poster and lyrics on the inner sleeve; Venus and Mars came with two posters and two stickers; London Town had lyrics on the inner sleeve and a poster; Wings Over America came with a poster. These days, that kind of stuff is saved for box sets and deluxe editions. Back then, there was no additional charge for the "bonus material". There was a poster included in Endless Summer...anyone remember it?
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Post by B.E. on May 7, 2023 20:46:56 GMT
There was a poster included in Endless Summer...anyone remember it? Yeah, I have the poster. Speaking of compilations, the Stack-o-Tracks album cover is awesome. One of their best.
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Post by jk on May 7, 2023 21:53:26 GMT
There was a poster included in Endless Summer...anyone remember it? Yeah, I have the poster. Speaking of compilations, the Stack-o-Tracks album cover is awesome. One of their best. I've never regarded Stack-o-Tracks as a compilation. Looking around in desperation for an alternative, I saw it described as an "additional release", which I feel describes this wonderfully oddball affair very nicely. And yes, an awesome cover!
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Post by kds on May 8, 2023 16:51:26 GMT
This is another one where I struggled to pick ten. I don't really think cover art has ever been in The Beach Boys' wheelhouse. That said, I do like most of the covers of the surf era early albums. I reluctantly included Pet Sounds (that felt weird to type) as my tenth pick because the green and the font have become iconic.
Surfin Safari Surfin USA Surfer Girl SDV2 All Summer Long SDSN Pet Sounds Sunflower Surf's Up Holland
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Post by Kapitan on May 8, 2023 16:57:29 GMT
This is another one where I struggled to pick ten. I don't really think cover art has ever been in The Beach Boys' wheelhouse. That said, I do like most of the covers of the surf era early albums. While the music is some of my least favorite, I also do actually like a lot of the cover art from the early albums.
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Post by kds on May 8, 2023 17:00:50 GMT
This is another one where I struggled to pick ten. I don't really think cover art has ever been in The Beach Boys' wheelhouse. That said, I do like most of the covers of the surf era early albums. While the music is some of my least favorite, I also do actually like a lot of the cover art from the early albums. I found myself voting for five of the first six albums, the lone exception being LDC because I think that album just looks very generic (see also - CATP and Still Cruisin). EDIT - Speaking of generic, how about TWGMTR? After a 20 year wait for a new BB album, that's the best they could do in terms of cover art? Outside of the BB logo, it looks like a generic summertime music comp.
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Emdeeh
Pacific Coast Highway
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Post by Emdeeh on May 8, 2023 22:38:48 GMT
Which Live in London cover is under consideration? There are several.
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Post by B.E. on May 8, 2023 22:41:34 GMT
Which Live in London cover is under consideration? There are several. I've left that up to each participant to decide. I'm partial to the Netherlands 1971 gatefold.
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Post by B.E. on May 8, 2023 23:02:38 GMT
It's nice to see Beach Boys Concert getting some votes. I think it's a great cover. Simple, but sharp.
Conversely, I'm surprised to see that I'm the only one to have voted for Love You thus far! I think it's the perfect cover for that strange album. It struck me as memorable from the start. Intriguing, too.
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Post by Kapitan on May 8, 2023 23:36:48 GMT
I have a few thoughts on recent posts. (I have not voted yet.)
- I like the cover of That's Why God Made the Radio! Or at least--and maybe this is damning praise--I was afraid for what it could have been, but wasn't. As is the case with the bulk of that marketing campaign, I thought they more or less nailed it. Cover, clothes, talking points, music, it was pleasantly nostalgic without being pathetic or creepy.
- I've been debating myself about the cover of Love You. Do I like the cover, or do I like the association of an oddball cover with an oddball album that I happen to love? I'm still not sure who's winning that aforementioned argument, me or me.
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Post by B.E. on May 8, 2023 23:55:31 GMT
- I've been debating myself about the cover of Love You. Do I like the cover, or do I like the association of an oddball cover with an oddball album that I happen to love? I'm still not sure who's winning that aforementioned argument, me or me. Either way, you like it!
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