Backspacer Artwork?

awilkins

What does everyone think of the Backspacer Artwork? I have a feeling that this CD will have some real intricate artwork that will tie the singles and everything together. Tom Tomorrow's website says he spent 6 months on it, so it must be quite involved. He seems to lead on that it is quite the package.

Mind you the Avocado might have taken 6 minutes after Fernando Apodaca had done the inside stuff which was just stuff from the Life Wasted vid.

I think the artowrk Conan showed for Got Some was just stolen from The Fixer and the title changed, as The Fixer was slated to be the first single and the played Got Some and needed a quick piece for him to hold up.

I am very intrigued by what this CD packaging will be like.

Snoopy Died For Our Sins

hopefully significantly better than the single.....

Pearl James

So.... its not the Turtle holding the guitar? Cuz that would have been awesome.

tcaporale

I thought the album cover to their last album was a little bland, although I think the band didn't want to do anything too intricate, just let it be known it's their self-titled album with a little political commentary thrown into the artwork (I do love the inside of the album, though, I remember when I first opened it up and saw all of the band members' heads and the blood and everything and thinking - "Awesome!")

The way the artwork looks so far is pretty cool. It seems like the band is playing around with human anatomy.

Snoopy Died For Our Sins

tcaporale wrote:

I thought the album cover to their last album was a little bland, although I think the band didn't want to do anything too intricate, just let it be known it's their self-titled album with a little political commentary thrown into the artwork (I do love the inside of the album, though, I remember when I first opened it up and saw all of the band members' heads and the blood and everything and thinking - "Awesome!")

The way the artwork looks so far is pretty cool. It seems like the band is playing around with human anatomy.

If that's the case, then NIRVANA'S In Utero did a better job of it........IMHO

comatose_253

awilkins wrote:

What does everyone think of the Backspacer Artwork? I have a feeling that this CD will have some real intricate artwork that will tie the singles and everything together. Tom Tomorrow's website says he spent 6 months on it, so it must be quite involved. He seems to lead on that it is quite the package.

Mind you the Avocado might have taken 6 minutes after Fernando Apodaca had done the inside stuff which was just stuff from the Life Wasted vid.

I think the artowrk Conan showed for Got Some was just stolen from The Fixer and the title changed, as The Fixer was slated to be the first single and the played Got Some and needed a quick piece for him to hold up.

I am very intrigued by what this CD packaging will be like.

With all the talk about potentially different packaging or versions through 10C, Target, etc. it made me remember the Tom Tomorrow quote about the art work seen on Conan (the 7” art work) being part of a larger work.

This makes me wonder if there could be more than one album cover. A series or different versions that could be combined into a larger image.

Soulfire42

So far, I am not impressed with the artwork. I realize that it is very early to be trying to judge, but it looks pretty poor and like a person's first attempt at using a computer to add color to line art, in my opinion.

ManUnited

Soulfire42 wrote:

So far, I am not impressed with the artwork. I realize that it is very early to be trying to judge, but it looks pretty poor and like a person's first attempt at using a computer to add color to line art, in my opinion.

+1

Gonzo1977

Personally I love it. I think it looks really cool.

I'm an avid reader of "This Modern World" and a very big fan of Tom's work.

By the sounds of Tom Tomorrow's blog and the descriptions on the pre-order, this artwork is going to be pretty elaborate. The vinyl comes with a 24 page booklet with artwork by Tom, and the Ten Club/Indie CD also comes in special packaging as well.

I really love the effort they put into the artwork of "Vitalogy", and "No Code". It really complemented the music and took the listening experience to a whole other level. I'll never forget the feeling of spinning those albums while pouring over the artwork. It felt really special, and it was something that set Pearl Jam away from the rest of the pack. The artwork was like a whole other track -it gave context to the album- especially "No Code" which had all this mystery and hidden meanings behind the poloroids.

I've been pretty disapointed with the artwork on the last few releases; especially Avocado which I found to be rather awful. The packaging seemed thrown together and missing the direction of No Code through to Binaural.

I couldn't be happier that "Backspacer" is in the hands of Tom Tomorrow and hints at a return to form as far as conceptual Pearl Jam album art.

moyboy

i believe that both the CD and vinyl will have the 24 page booklet.

DewieCox

The 11.75"X11.75" booklet in the vinyl should be neat.

touringfan

http://thismodernworld.com/4813

rrivers

Pearl James wrote:

So.... its not the Turtle holding the guitar? Cuz that would have been awesome.

That made me laugh out loud.

rrivers

Snoopy Died For Our Sins wrote:

tcaporale wrote:

I thought the album cover to their last album was a little bland, although I think the band didn't want to do anything too intricate, just let it be known it's their self-titled album with a little political commentary thrown into the artwork (I do love the inside of the album, though, I remember when I first opened it up and saw all of the band members' heads and the blood and everything and thinking - "Awesome!")

The way the artwork looks so far is pretty cool. It seems like the band is playing around with human anatomy.

If that's the case, then NIRVANA'S In Utero did a better job of it........IMHO

Tool's Lateraleus (sp?) also had a similiar thing. I won't judge PJ's attempt until I see it all. I like it so far though.

rrivers

touringfan wrote:

http://thismodernworld.com/4813

Thanks for that.

touringfan

rrivers wrote:

touringfan wrote:

http://thismodernworld.com/4813

Thanks for that.

welcome

broloco

Gonzo1977 wrote:

I really love the effort they put into the artwork of "Vitalogy", and "No Code". It really complemented the music and took the listening experience to a whole other level. I'll never forget the feeling of spinning those albums while pouring over the artwork. It felt really special, and it was something that set Pearl Jam away from the rest of the pack. The artwork was like a whole other track -it gave context to the album- especially "No Code" which had all this mystery and hidden meanings behind the poloroids.

I've been pretty disapointed with the artwork on the last few releases; especially Avocado which I found to be rather awful. The packaging seemed thrown together and missing the direction of No Code through to Binaural.

I couldn't be happier that "Backspacer" is in the hands of Tom Tomorrow and hints at a return to form as far as conceptual Pearl Jam album art.

perfectly said.

yeah, the artwork of Vs. through Yield cannot be underestimated in my opinion. For me it felt, and still feels like we have like a Led Zeppelin for a new generation. They too had elaborate artwork back in the day (spinning wheel with III, cutout windows with Physical Graffiti, special watercolor ink/bag with In Through The Out Door). Great artwork matching the great music.

I hope Backspacer gets back to that feeling.

TallGuyCM

Just for fun I did a google image search for "backspacer" for fun and here is what came up, I would approve of all but the cartoon for actual album art:

CratePilot

Snoopy Died For Our Sins wrote:

hopefully significantly better than the single.....

I agree. Sorry Tom ... the artwork for the single is awful. It's not just the image which looks bad ... it's also the way it's been drawn. Those splodges of white and brown on the shoulder and face .... terrible. The shadows in the background, the whole layout ... arghh .... I cringe just looking at it .... it's sooo bad.

I'm definitely worried about how the artwork is going to turn out for Backspacer. I know you can argue that it's his style and everyone has different taste .... but come on ...... open your eyes ..... it's really bad.

So far I've loved the artwork for every Pearl Jam release .... a few people point out that they weren't fond of the Avocado cover ..... but even though it's basic ...... it's beautifully drawn and the whole package looks professional.

Hopefully Tom will have something better waiting for us with the actual album artwork.

dimitrispearljam

Snoopy Died For Our Sins wrote:

hopefully significantly better than the single.....

correct!!!!!!!!

dimitrispearljam

TallGuyCM wrote:

Just for fun I did a google image search for "backspacer" for fun and here is what came up, I would approve of all but the cartoon for actual album art:

great..