Playgroup

Is the album cover dead?

This is a question that has been asked so many times it's probably hugely out of touch for me to even be bringing it up at all. It even appears as a suggested search on google, bad times. I do still think it's a valid question to ask though so here's my hopefully valued opinion.

I for one love music and its ability to determine your mood whether it be for the better or otherwise. The album/single cover used to be a part of that, evoking some fantastic memories but with its tangibility now all but gone it has become a dying art form. It would appear even with iTunes allowing the album cover to be shown on all its spangly devices it just seems like a glorified piece of clip art when shown in such a reduced size and format.

It would be great to see a real revolution when it comes to the relationship between music and art/design/illustration/photography. The simple truth that there just isn't any money in the music industry let alone album cover design work is possibly one of the main reasons this revolution is being held back but with the constant advances in technology it's a wonder how digital album covers haven't become a sight for constant creative reforms. One of my personal favourites when it comes to album cover art is Beck's, The Information, Cover art by Big Active/who ever bought it. The physical nature of the work makes it an inspiration for the newly interactive conscious agencies out there. With it all being about gaining followers or creating a social buzz these days is it time for the album cover to become as truly interactive online as The Information is offline?