I know there's many downloaders who come to this site, as well as many purists who only like to by cd's. I'm sure a large chunk of us do a bit of both. I think some people are downloading albums and missing out on the great artwork/insight/extra-goodness.
Let's list some albums where the artist/label went above and beyond when it comes to the packaging.
The most recent ones I can think of are the new
Beck - The Information. It comes with a dvd with home made videos for the entire album. Also, the booklet is 100% blank and it comes with tons of stickers so that you can make your own, unique booklet.
Tom Waits - Orphans... Comes with an exhaustive book, although I can't tell you much more because I haven't got a copy yet.
Liars - Drum's Not Dead. Comes with a DVD with 3 (yes, three) videos for each song on the album...with some success. Also, the tracks listed in red graffitti look really cool as well.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Il Mago,
I always thought the packaging for Pearl Jam's No Code was great. Instead of a book, a series of fake polaroids with lyrics/song info on the back are included. The packaging for Vitalogy was pretty cool too, although it always annoyed me that the dimensions differed from those of a standard jewel case. It made storage a bit of a pain.
The liner notes for Joe Henry's Fuse are also very well designed. I think I've mentioned that before. Nothing extra, just a very cool design. If you're not into graphic design, you probably wouldn't be that impressed.
----- People claim I'm possessed by the devil, but mama, I know I'm possessed by your daughter.
Okkervil River's Black Sheep Boy has some great artwork, though not an unusual amount of it. When I ordered it, though, I got a free two-sided poster of pretty decent size with some incredible Will Schaff artwork.
I also really like the covers of the actual CD's of everything Sufjan has released. They've all got really cool designs.
Kid A has got some pretty cool abstract artwork in that booklet that comes with it too.
-------------------------------------------------- Anatomy to me is a homesick stomach and a broken heart
Originally posted by RavingLunatic: Kid A has got some pretty cool abstract artwork in that booklet that comes with it too.
It's been several years since I bought it, but correct me if I'm wrong. It was really cool that the inside jewel case is a smooth, shiny black; It stood out for me there, but I think there is/was a "hidden book" with artwork underneath the black case. They probably don't sell them that way now, but if you bought from the first batch released you got yourself a treat.
Somebody please confirm this for me so I don't feel crazy. Others, take a look under the case if you haven't yet!
You were also correct about it not being like that anymore. The first batch of Kid A had a booklet under the tray with some transparencies included that are now no longer there if you've bought the record anytime since about 2001.
Speaking of transparencies, I'll also give a shoutout to Lambchop's What Another Man Spills, in which all the paper used in the packaging is this translucent stuff. There are no lyrics or anything, the cover is just a foldout of some scribbled artwork courtesy of Vic Chestnutt. It looks cool on the translucent paper though.
----- People claim I'm possessed by the devil, but mama, I know I'm possessed by your daughter.
In its heyday, the label 4AD made gorgeous-looking records courtesy of Vaughan Oliver and v23/23 Envelope. Some of the 23 Envelope covers are here and the v23 covers are here.
The recent Ramones retrospective box, Weird Tales of the Ramones has amazing packaging and comic book art by tons of big comic artists (Sergio Aragones, Xaime Hernandez, FLY, Matt Groening, John Pound and many more) telling the Ramones story in comic art form. And it came with 3D glasses!
The limited version of Amnesiac came packaged as a library book, complete with check-out record. Paul Westerberg's 14 Songs also came in a limited book version, which I have nicely autographed by the man himself.
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Fonotone Records 1956-1969 This 5 cd set of old timey American blues, country and bluegrass comes in a deluxe cigar box with several postcards and a Fonotone Records bottle opener.
During the mid-late '90s, Estrus records had some great 45-rpm record box sets set to a certain theme (hotrodding, cocktail partys, bbq's). Besides the stacks of wax, the sets would include theme napkins, matches, keychains or whatever fit the music theme. Plus these were very inexpensive.
I've always liked the artwork on: Grizzly Bear - Yellow House Iron & Wine - The Creek Drank The Cradle Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain
Ys has some great artwork too...not really my taste, but it's definitely extravagant.
As for features, Sufjan's Songs For Christmas box has a songbook with chords, stickers, and a Christmas-y comic book. Soul Jazz Presents Tropicalia... has a really nice 30-ish page booklet. Any of the Pavement re-issues have tons of great B-sides and a thick booklet.
Originally posted by crazed: Fonotone Records 1956-1969 This 5 cd set of old timey American blues, country and bluegrass comes in a deluxe cigar box with several postcards and a Fonotone Records bottle opener.
Bonus credit because that set was put together by Chunklet mag main-man and hipster-swatter Henry "H2O" Owings. And he got a Grammy nomination for the thing!!!
The Les Claypool Frog Brigade - Purple Onion (for the poster) Kid Koala - Some of my best friends are DJs (for the chess game and the comic book) Primus - Sailing the seas of cheese (for the unique kind of cover)
. These albums were from the 70's by the way.
