New CD release cover pilot; opinions?

[Llarion]

This is one of the ideas I'm kicking around for my upcoming "real" CD release; of the 3 currently buzzing around, this is my favorite.

 

Whattya think?

 

The CD title in this instance is

 

"the dichotomy of silence"

 

Cover

http://www.llarion.com/CD-DOS.jpg

 

Cover reverse

http://www.llarion.com/CD-DOSliner.jpg

 

Should I continue on this line?

 

Incidentally, the other main thought is to use Sunday Morn' as the title, which is one of the song titles, and evokes a totally different set of imagery. Is that trite to do? Given the style of my music, which is more appropriate?

 

Any opinions greatly appreciated, and please, you don't have to kiss my hiney or anything, honest feedback is appreciated...

[surfjunkie]

awesome photo. you've got to use it.

 

i personally don't like the title, but "Sunday Morn" doesn't go with the photo. maybe "Two Sides of Silence"? or "Sides of Silence"?

 

maybe post the lyrics to "Sunday Morn" here- there could be something in there...

[Llarion]

There's no lyric; I do instrumental Smooth Jazz... But hit my Artistlaunch page and read the song story...

 

if I used Sunday Morn' I would not use this image...

[Laurie Z.]

Hey, Phil - congrats on the upcoming new release!

 

The cover photo and look are wonderful - do you own that shot? It looks like an airplane shot, but it's remarkably clear.

 

There's been research done on cover art, and apparently covers with an attractive photo of the artist sell better - and photos with the artist looking directly at the camera work the best (as opposed to profile shots, eyes closed, etc.).

 

But barring that, I'd say your cover looks great. Colors are nice, too.

 

BTW, the title you chose is much stronger than "Sunday Morn", IMHO.

 

Best of luck!

 

lz

[Gulliver]

Originally posted by Laurie Z.:

...

There's been research done on cover art, and apparently covers with an attractive photo of the artist sell better - and photos with the artist looking directly at the camera work the best (as opposed to profile shots, eyes closed, etc.).

...

lz

Phil,

 

Can't comment the title (I should look into English-Russian dictionary to learn what "dichotomy" means ) but the image is absolutely stunning. I'd definitely recommend you to use it!

Laurie, your remark is interesting, but I for some reason prefer images of nature or some abstract objects on CD covers. Though this doesn't mean I buy CDs only upon my impressions of their covers...

Vlad

[b_3guy]

Hey Phil, if the 1st one is representative of what you're trying to portray with your music, go for it. It is cool, maybe even cold, but being from a northern climate I understand the silence, hearing only the crunching of the snow underneath your boots, etc. I do agree with Laurie that the artist's picture sells albums, but perhaps it's not required in this situation. I would rotate the picture enough so that the horizon is straight. Always imagine what it will look like on a rack with hundreds of other smooth jazz CD's. Will it stand out, will it be easy to find, is the title/artist's name big enough to be seen from 15'? On another note, I know you do smooth jazz. It's not really my thing. But I thought smooth jazz was about relaxing, calming, soothing. This picture does not represent relaxing, etc. It's not inviting. It shows the harsh, bitterness of winter. This will be interesting to see how it works out. Good luck!!

[Tusker]

Phil:

 

Congratulations.

 

I love the whole concept. Photo, colors, imagery fonts. All very cool (pun intended). Like Wager, I'd suggest a word other than dichotomy for a multi-word title.... But that's just me.

 

The cover evokes strong images of silence. A couple more are Solitude, Space, Distance, Clarity, etc. I'm just rambling. What you have here is very powerful and evocative already.

 

Way to go.

 

Jerry

[Llarion]

Laurie,

 

I was fortunate enough to find an archive of highres public domain NOAA images, and this is one of them. (or, it is a part of one anyway, I have added to it and cropped and substantially altered the rest ) The source image was taken in 1949.

 

Thanks everyone for the comments!

 

As to the "coldness" thing, I wanted to avoid any cliched images of smoky jazz clubs, and also I wanted to avoid the hackneyed "I LIVE IN FLORIDA!" idea, so any sand, palm trees, and tropical imagery were out as well.

 

I was sort of going for a suave, sophisticated "hey, what does THAT mean?" thing with the concept. When I had the title, I closed my eye, though of what the title means, and waited for an image to pop into my head. a desolate, lonely, utterly quiet arctic scene jumped into my head.

 

As to the font, I'm usually given to larger, stylized type, but I thought that a minimalist approach fit better.

 

This is but one of several ideas I'm grappling with. It's my first release, so I'm probably being overy frantic about it...

[F7sound -]

I was thinking... the irony of the whole thing about you living in Florida and all. If Florida ever were to look like that, we'd all be in big trouble!

 

Other than that, it's a great cover image! Best of luck on your new release!

 

Michael Oster

F7 Sound and Vision

http://www.F7sound.com

[Intheether]

Phil;

I really like the cover shot. It's very indicitive of relaxing, smooth jazz. The back is a bit too sparse for my tastes, but that's just opinion anyway.

I actually prefer cover art/photos to images of people.

BTW, where are you getting it duped? I am at that stage and can't decide whether to go local (cheaper) or to a national rep. with more experience and handholding.

Congratulations and lots of luck with your first release!

[Llarion]

Right now, the strong frontrunner is Disc Alliance...

http://www.discalliance.com/Replication/CDPackages.asp

 

Mondo inexpensive, and from the reports I get from friends who have used them or bought CDs manufactured there, the quality is absolutely top drawer.

[meccajay]

I think everyone pretty much agrees that the cover shots and the concept are really awesome!!

I would think the music would be just as good or better!

 

I think wager had a good idea abot the title being something like The Sides Of Silence or something along those lines, because is just seems to roll off the tongue a lil bit better, but that's just my take...Best of luck!!

 

I hope to hear it someday!

[Llarion]

Well, you can hear the vast majority of it now; it's almost all on my Artistlaunch page or on my personal site at www.llarion.com. The newest track, Dewpoint, is what I'm sending in for the compilation CD...

[surfjunkie]

Originally posted by Llarion:

...The newest track, Dewpoint, is what I'm sending in for the compilation CD...

cool tune. i like the changes in the bridge- when that Eb chord hit, i was all- "whooo."

 

and thanks for the link to the NIAA images. yeah, i know you didn't give one, but i found them anyway

[Llarion]

Why thank you! I like using tritone substitutions in odd places like that...

 

I'm glad you've implemented that "subliminal linking" plugin in your browser too..

[Intheether]

Thanks Phil! I will check them out. For my first one, quality is more important than saving a few bucks. I hope it turns out great for you!