Be prepared for the onslought when this cover gets into rotation. Here's a link to a story I found yesterday on the Idolator website:

http://idolator.com/tunes...268166.php

They call it the "ugliest album cover" of the year so far. I agree this isn't the cover I would pick if given a choice, but maybe it will have some sort of lenticular motion (as was suggested a while ago). This may help with the cartoonish design of the photo. As for covers, it's still not his worst.

His "worst of" covers?
New Power Soul
Musicology
Lovesexy (yes, I said it)
Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic
Emancipation
The Vault
Gold
Crystal Ball
& now, Planet Earth

Come to think of it, pretty much everything since Come sucks IMO. I did like Rainbow Children and 3121 for cover art. But the rest blows. Get a new design artist already! In this new age of digital music, the covers don't really matter anymore. I hope the music is better than the cover. [url]

It is pretty good.

I am more concerned with the music. I hope it isnt jazz.

But I'd say the worse is:
Musicology

Another thought on album art. I remember purchasing the Musicology cd even after I received the free one at the concert I attended becaude I wanted the original for my collection. I was highly disappointed in the design and I quickly wished I didn't spend my money on it.

My question is this, does a poor cover design (with no real extras inside: lyrics, photos etc.) keep you from buying the disc? All of us who have the knowledge will be able to download this way before the street date. Does stupid artwork keep us from buying a disc? I think it might if nothing of value is brought to the packaging. I believe the package design is very important in this digital age of music. The CD packaging should be interesting and have extras if labels expect us to go to the store and buy it.

Just my 2 cents.

I think it's a great cover.

I think it's an awesome cover

It's way better than the other one, and it probably is lenticular..
Still, we've been looking at this image for a while...if it's your first time, the placement of the globe makes it a little bit corn. It would be better if it were off to the side. Especially now, since the planets are in orbit.

I even like the color story more, without the Earth. Too bad it's not just one planet in orbit and not upfront and center...Even though it is the title.
Also, when you make a bold statement, like wearing a girdle...don't hide behind a planet. It lacks the conviction.

I like it more than 3121 and I like it much more than the first draft but it's not completely right yet.

On the bright side, at least people will have something to talk about. If the music is good, the image will begin to look better.

sexxydancer said:

to U sexxydancer and to all the non-bitchers

Both Planet Earth and Lovesexy have great covers.

babooshleeky said:

How can you argue with this?

Now I'm even more confused about "3121." It's the font in the background of the picture. Is the 3121 "ideology" going to be a consistent part of his music from here on or what?

But then, maybe that's not the actual cover.

i think the cover is fine. i don't understand the 3121 doodie in the background and i still think it looks like apocalypse art from a watchtower pamphlet, but that's not necessarily a complaint since i think those paintings are great kitsch.

if this cover art had a lenticular cover, that would be cool. i think even just a foil cover would be great.

regardless, it's not as bad as musicology. that was FUG.

I think it's great.

I hope not this is the cover 4 the new CD I don't like this but the first on is a better but not good

It's perverse and I like it.

Wonder if the content will reflect on the bizarre imagery?

Jakeasaurus said:

It can be argued. I kinda like that about it...that it's a bit off. This is what will have people talking. And at least, this time, they'll know he has a CD out. And when they're out browsing, they won't pass it by like they did with the one with his back turned.

This must be lenticular because the lights in the back look like still frames from a motion sequence. What I want to know is does the Earth rotate in place or does it orbit around Prince...you know like those peekaboo pens.

I hope it's like the pen.

some of the comments on that site are hilarious:

If Prince were to open an Asian rub-n-tug parlor, this would be the flyer you'd see tattered and plastered in random phone booths across the metro area

sexxydancer said:

Agreed

IstenSzek said:

You're right. Hadn't read them. This one is funny, as well:

...somebody call Russia and ask if they can see Prince's crotch bearing down upon them from the heavens."

How could the org have missed that one?

anon said:

Can someone re-post the original version of the cover design without the new planets circling him? The one without the lettering "Planet Earth" on the top.

Thanks in advance. It might be nice to see the contrast between the 2.

I'm a bit surprised on how many people seem to like this cover. The one thing I'll say is that I do like his color contrasts for Planet Earth. That is the strongest points on the 3121 design for me as well. That is the one thing he tends to focus on well is color and contrast.

ideation99 said:

My take on packaging...

It should be nice looking, fit on the cd rack easily. Should be able to open up and play the cd and get to the booklet easily enough.

Just recently I got Erasures new album. I was looking at the limited edition and it was in a cardboard foldout and the original was in a regular case. I thought the cardboard packaging was "cheap" esp for a limited edition. After getting it, however, I discovered that some of the lettering was raised and that it actually was a nice package throughout. The booklet was nice too!

Look at Bjorks new album. I HATE the packaging! A sticker to keep it shut? For someone who is pretty innovative in that dept, it was pretty annoying. Her booklets ALWAYS leave a lot to be desired too. Few pics, and lyrics that are hard to read. Medulla's booklet was TERRIBLE. Completely unreadable. Interesting, but that's about it.

Prince's Musicology was an ok package. My only beef was that the booklet had no home and it falls out very easily! Or the Pet SHop Boys Reissues, which I love BUT they have big assed books that simply lie on top of the case and you slip cover over it. I hate slip covers!

Anxiety said:

I think the 3121 is the new NPG and we'll be seeing that imagry for a while. He seems very connected to it.

ideation99 said:

Jakeasaurus said:

I like the first one better. I think that the second one has too much detail to it.

The cover is crap, but he hasn't had a nice looking one in years...

This barely merits a cardboard single sleeve.

http://www.housequake.com...adid=87447

cover+promo material

superspaceboy said:

oh, i know. i just continue to be in denial of the fact. it's the first time he's created a brand name that doesn't have a decent philosophy behind it. 'paisley park', i got. 'new power generation/NPG', i got. '3121' just seems arbitrary by comparison - i know, i've heard all the numerology junk. still and all...

ideation99 said:

That's the part I like least. Green and blue are the exact opposite of red and orange but that doesn't mean they always work together. Since most of this cover is warm, the only cool colors are in the globe...that separates it a bit too much, for me. That and the fact that the earth is busy to begin with. It's almost like the Earth doesn't belong because there's too much contrast in that region.

I would have preferred something more monochromatic, but at least, because of the lights and the close crop, it's tied in somewhat better than in in the first draft.