Does Your CD Cover $ell (Or Suck)?
Oh, I know the last part of the title (Suck) isn't a very
pleasant description to apply to anyone's CD cover. But, in the
interest of plain old honesty, and to face our demons head on, I
wanted to (again) utilize a worst case scenario that we can only
improve from.
And, having said that, think of the average (and not so
average) recording artist's CD cover, and I'll bet you will
agree that 9 out of 10 CD covers present the artist simply
posing while staring straight into the camera.
And, the few artists who want to appear different, unique and
diverse, simply either turn sideways, stare into deep space, or
gaze downward or backward for their photo sessions.
If you happen to be among the aforementioned guilty, you should
realize that by *not* becoming more proactive and aggressive
with the visual aspect and design of your CD cover, you are
shortchanging the potential of your release from the onset, and
not giving it its best possible chance for maximum success.
I first began noticing this overall trend when CDs began
replacing albums. And, I believe that the difference was due, in
part, to the dramatic reduction in the cover size.
Consequently, I felt that both labels and artists, perhaps,
decided (consciously or unconsciously) that the reduction in
size did not allow enough room for visual creativity, which is
not the case.
But, those are only two reasons. For, I also believe that,
while they may be decent to great professional music producers,
I have found that most recording artists whom I encounter are
amateurs, at best, in respect to marketing their releases from a
visual perspective.
And, it's not their fault, because 'visual' just doesn't happen
to be the medium in which they work. However, this isn't to say
that they can't learn to become much better at pre-selling their
releases visually.
But, as an artist, perhaps, your argument is that your music
is, primarily, based on the "sonic" aspect...that it will mainly
be "heard" and not "seen."
This is, in part, true but also consider that, generally,
before your music is HEARD, it is first SEEN (unless you are
sending 'plain vanilla' promotion singles to radio or handing
them out at will to friends, associates, etc.). And, here is
how:
Radio:
Due to added expense, most independent labels forego
manufacturing 'singles' and, thus, usually send their complete
retail releases out as promotion copies to the media. Hence, the
radio music directors and program directors will SEE your
release before they open your case to HEAR your music.
And, as the MD/PD takes your CD out of its package, does it,
*POW!*, hit him with a bang visually, and immediately instill
deeper interest *BEFORE* he hears your music?
Or does your, possibly, average to boring cover instill a blas