Recently there’s been quite a lot of discussion about Hard-Fi, or more specifically their new album’s cover art – or lack of it. Quite exactly why this is noteworthy is questionable, but then again I’m talking about it here so it must be vaguely relevant. Either that or I’m obsessed with pointless discussions about what is in the end is a picture on a box.
This is what’s been causing all the trouble. The band themselves have stated that it’s supposed to be a way of avoiding the cliché of black and white photos of the band plastered all over it – which is understandable if you look at Razorlight’s and the Kaiser Chiefs‘ artwork offerings – as well as being a comment on the growing irrelevance of album art in the iPod age, as explained here.
There’s been a load of criticism of it – it’s derivative, it’s lazy, it’s pretentious, it’s ugly, and even that it doesn’t go far enough, and the fact that there’s even a colour and a font suggest that this is very much cover art and all it entails – a publicity stunt designed to convince a few more people to buy the album, and the complete opposite of what the band have been claiming.
Despite this though, I’m still not convinced that the cover is “bad”. It’s not “good” in the same sense as something like Dark Side Of The Moon etc, but that’s not really it’s point, and while you may not approve of the art itself, it’s hard to argue against the message – that album art is nowhere near as notable as it once was, and certainly not as iconic. I think it’s interesting that album art has only become notable again now that a band has threatened not to use any.
Perhaps it’s me being an idiot and liking the simple design and the commentary (and the fact that it’s the sort of thing I’d do if I had an album), but I like it. Admittedly that doesn’t make it good, but it doesn’t make it bad either. And I smile every time I see the single cover, because, ultimately, it’s the truth, isn’t it?
I’ve just realized that the music for Hot Fuzz and Casino Royale was done by the same composer, David Arnold, so good for him.
I’ve also discovered that apparently “Royale” is a not a word according to gaim’s spell checker. Not so good.
I’ve been wanting to use that quote so much. Doctor Who was awesome.
I’m back in Birmingham now to sort out my final year at uni, which hopefully should go smoothly provided I’ve got the marks and provided I can find a decent final year project. I’ve been sort of hoping the worry over the results would have gone by now, but annoyingly it seems to be getting worse. Not that I can do much about it, of course, but I’m not sure this year has gone quite according to plan.
On the plus side, I’m enjoying the free time, along with the money I got for my birthday, which is being reserved for Hot Fuzz on DVD. Looking forward to that, it’s an amazing film. I also got to see Pirates 3 over the weekend, and I enjoyed it. And I also got to buy Kaiser Chiefs and Clash albums. Go me.
I shouldn’t be so worked up about these exams, but as people keep telling me, I’m an over-thinker. It’s like living with another version of me in my head telling me what to do, and I know for a fact that I can be exceptionally annoying. Still, life goes on.
EMI have announced that their entire download catalog will now be available without DRM. If you’ll give me a moment, can I just say what an excellent move this is?
Having recently put Ubuntu on my laptop, I’ve been intensely annoyed that the songs I’ve picked up from iTunes in the past won’t play simply because of DRM. For a start, it won’t let me play the newest Weird Al Yankovic album I got from the store. I brought that album legally (because Al told me to), so I should have the right to play it on whatever I like, but apparently that’s not the case. With this in mind, is it any wonder that so little people listen to Al’s advice.
The deal isn’t perfect. It sucks to think that I’ll have to pay an extra 20p just to listen to my songs anywhere, and of course EMI are not the only record label out there. That said, I’m optimistic about the future.
On that note, did everyone enjoy Doctor Who last Saturday? Good stuff. Certainly the best “opening” episode of the new series, and Martha (a.k.a. Freema Agyeman) looks likes she’ll make a good companion. This series looks particularly impressive, with Daleks in Manhattan, the return Captain Jack, and the coming appearance of John Simm from Life On Mars.
Enjoy yourselves.
I’m a little too obsessed with Madness at the moment – but then again, the thought that their new album is coming very soon indeed is very exciting. Well, it is if you’re a nineteen year old CS student at Birmingham with a slightly unhealthy interest in 80’s ska music.
I got to see them perform on TOTP2 and Al Murray’s Happy Hour today, and they sounded as good as ever. Hopefully if all goes well, I’ll be able to be a Madness fan without having to put on my “ironic” persona, which gets exceptionally annoying.
Anyway, I’m glad Madness are back. They’re certainly more deserving of a renaissance than Take That are…
I’ve been unsure this weekend as to whether I should go and see Hot Fuzz or get The Fratellis album, Costello Music. Luckily I was able to resolve this dilemma by getting the Hot Fuzz soundtrack (which has two Fratellis tracks on it anyway, so hooray for compromise!)
I can tell you now that it is amazing. I’ve brought some good albums recently, but for pure unfiltered enjoyment and rocking out, this has to be one of my favourites, despite the fact I’ve not even seen the film yet. Really excellent.
I also got my phone upgraded this week. It’s not much of an upgrade, but it works well enough, and it has a radio, which is always good to have. The only thing wrong with it is that in order to listen you have to plug in the headphones – the phone lets you listen through the speaker if you want, but you need the headphones plugged in to do it. It just seems a bit pointless.
I’m hoping on Wednesday to have a rendezvous with the Fuzz. It should be great.
I know this because I actually searched the net just so I could listen to the theme tune from Dragon’s Den. It’s called “The Dragon’s Tail”, and here it is.
I’ve always liked film and TV soundtracks, but trying to find a theme tune based on a program about venture capitalism is a little strange by my own admission. But it is a nice track.
I’m still listening to all of those albums I brought days ago, so it’s probably stupid of me thinking of more music I’d like to have, but that’s never stopped me before.
The song on my mind at the moment is Kaiser Chiefs’ new track, Ruby. It actually sounds really impressive, and gone a long way to removing any doubts about being a one album wonder, which is always a bad thing for bands who suddenly end up famous overnight. Check it out.
Outside of that, I’m busy packing for my trip to Castleton this weekend. I said before I’ll try and get some photos and things back, and since several of my friends are going as well, they’ll probably be a few crazy schemes to report on as well. Such is life.
And on a final note – Happy Winter-een-mas! Have a good one!
It’s a strange feeling when you listen to songs written in the 80’s about society and realise that even after twenty five years that have gone by that they’re still just as relevant. Somewhat depressing as well.
This is what’s been causing all the trouble. The band themselves have stated that it’s supposed to be a way of avoiding the cliché of black and white photos of the band plastered all over it – which is understandable if you look at Razorlight’s and the Kaiser Chiefs‘ artwork offerings – as well as being a comment on the growing irrelevance of album art in the iPod age, as explained here.
Despite this though, I’m still not convinced that the cover is “bad”. It’s not “good” in the same sense as something like Dark Side Of The Moon etc, but that’s not really it’s point, and while you may not approve of the art itself, it’s hard to argue against the message – that album art is nowhere near as notable as it once was, and certainly not as iconic. I think it’s interesting that album art has only become notable again now that a band has threatened not to use any.