Saturday, December 12, 2009

Weekend Discussion: Best Cover Artwork?

There have been about 21 different AFI releases, including both LPs and EPs. Each one of those has its own unique cover art. At least two factors need to be taken into account when determining the best cover art: the actual aesthetic appeal of the art, and how well the art fits in with the music and themes of the album.

In this edition of Weekend Discussion, we'd like to hear your thoughts on which cover artwork reigns supreme over all of the rest. Does the simplicity and elegance of the last three album covers hold a candle to the granduer of the artwork of The Art of Drowning? Or does Adam's facial expression on the cover of Dork EP make all other competition irrelevant?

Or, does any cover artwork completely miss the mark in terms of representing what you feel the album is about? Let us know your thoughts, and we'll post a poll relating to this topic soon.

26 comments:

  1. Definitely either Black Sails or Art Of Drowning.

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  2. Crash Love!...Just kidding.Black Sails.

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  3. Angelsineveryone(Brandon)December 12, 2009 at 3:21 AM

    Shut Your Mouth and Art of Drowning/All Hallows EP. Art of Drowning and All Hallows EP artwork, to me fits perfectly the vibe the album/EP more than any other. Plus Alan Forbes is the man. The SYMAOYE cover artwork and booklet artwork is my personal favorite. Its creepy and raw.

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  4. Clandestine was perfect for Sing the Sorrow. As for standard artwork, I'd have to say AoD is my personal favourite.

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  5. Art Of Drowning. No contest. But Decemberunderground worked really well for the theme I think, as did Sing The Sorrow.

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  6. I like the "weathered tome" look of Sing the Sorrow

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  7. I think the cover to Decemberunderunderground was beautiful, and it does really capture the music with the light blue/grey cold colors and yet the really dark text and of course the rabbits ;)They said the rabbits were an omen, and I like the idéa of that. I mean, if I were to paint a song from Decemberunderground, I'd definetly use light blues and greys for the music and pitch black for the lyrics. I think this cover definetly captures the inside of the album. It's beautiful, and so is the music. But listen closer and the lyrics are way darker than you'd think.Sing the Sorrow is great as well, I think. That cover really does make you understand that "now you've dived right into a very dark place" but the booklet let's you know that it's B E A U T I F U L :)Art of Drowning looks awesome, but I don't see how it captures the theme or the music in any way.

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  8. DECEMBERUNDERGROUND!!!Absolutely. It was ONLY because of that cover that I started listening to AFI. I heard of AFI before, but they weren't very appealing to me though. But when I was the cover in the store I bought the CD, just because it is amazing. As for other covers, I think Black Sails is the best cover from the pre-SOS era. Crash Love is great too, but DU cover is my personal favorite one ever. <3 AFI

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  9. I suppose the despairing nature of Sing the Sorrow could make it an "SOS" as well! :P

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  10. fly in the ointment, best there was, best there is, and best there ever will be.

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  11. All Hallow's EP and DU really catch the feeling of the album

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  12. Art of Drowning hands down. I also adore the extended version that Alan Forbes did (the sketch) so cool.

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  13. I Heard A Voice album version cover!

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  14. AOD or STS.Haven't made up my mind, liked both a lot.

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  15. Did you guys really just delete the end transmission track posting to end discussions? Wow.STS album cover by the way. Aesthetically cohesive to the music in an unparalleled way.

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  16. Hmm. I like STS a lot, but BSITS is probably the best for me.... I can look at that one for hours and not be bored. lol that's probably really pathetic.

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  17. The Fly in the Ointment EP Artwork was amazing! As was Black Sails and All Hallows EP.But my fav has to be All Hallows EP.

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  18. I really like BSITS. I can't really come up with a reason. I just love it.And Dork. Just cause of Adam's face. So many lols.

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  19. Emmy said it all for me. But Sing the Sorrow is my favorite.

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  20. I'll take CL. It's sleek, simple, and classy.

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  21. I'm biased but Sing The Sorrow. The cover itself is a little boring but the whole booklet is pretty amazing and well drawn out. Loveee it.

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  22. Crash Love or Decemberunderground

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