I just read about the rock band 30 Seconds To Mars and their 2009 album This Is War. They wanted the album to feature different album covers with individual photos of their fans. 2000 of the submitted fan photos were selected and then used as covers.

I think for an artist to do this at least once is an interesting idea. It would connect the artist more closely to the fans. Sure, it could be argued that it has obviously been done before but it might deserve to be done again.

For the inserts perhaps.I don't see him (what he would call) wasting the opportunity for some artsy fartsy purple globe fantasia type of thing.

He already sort of did this...

This would be a profitable idea for Prince.
Some of the people on this very forum would feel compelled to buy the album 2000 times just to have one of each.

johnart said:

Examples of the This Is War album covers with pictures of different fans:



30 Seconds To Mars' singer is actor Jared Leto.

It's a very novel idea. But it's only clever the first time.

While not album covers, All-American Rejects used this basic idea in their "Dirty Little Secret" video - fan-submitted video snippets.

squirrelgrease said:

Exactly - if Prince used this technique, people would be saying "sad how Prince copied 30 Seconds To Mars. He really is out of ideas".

Se7en said:

On the other hand, why should only one arists' or band's fans be able to enjoy something like this? Seems to be a quite narrow view. Sometimes the purpose of an idea is more importnant than the fact that's it's been done before.
[Edited 3/15/10 21:31pm]

peter430044 said:

Backlash from imitation is sometime a more important factor to consider than any benefits from copying a trend may garner. To wit... Prince's(and anyone post-Cher) use of Autotune.

squirrelgrease said:

And with good reason. Listening to Autotune makes spiders lay their eggs in your ears.

It's a cool idea, but if it's been done recently by another act I wouldn't say P should try it.

He does need a different look for his album art than what he's been doing. He seems to switch between glamour shots of himself, and really unprofessional looking computer images.

A lot of people really like the covers of 1999, ATWIAD, and TRC. Maybe he needs to look into hiring a young painter or photographer to do album art for him.

squirrelgrease said:

I doubt that there would be any significant criticism, I think most fans would see it as a fan friendly move.

When it comes to Autotune, are you referring to when it's used to correct pitch? Or distort the voice in other ways? Using it for pitch correction isn't such a good idea, I think most people want to hear how well someone can sing without the help of voice cleaning equipment.

meow85 said:

Waiting a few years to do it is one way to go, it would minimize the concern for criticism.

meow85 said:

I think Prince should prioritize finding new concepts for his album covers. Fan photos is one idea. Another concept that would be interesting is a cover that clearly symbolizes an importnant theme, that is connected to one or preferably several of the songs.

I think he should consider a jewel case instead of those easy-to-mess up cardboard packages.

I'd be down with that.

If the music was outstanding, he could sell the album in a plain brown paper wrapper and I'd be happy.

I'm all with the post above...

If the funk is good, the package is not necessary!

It's the music that counts.The fans count more. They sign the royalty checks,figuratively speaking, and pay their hard earn money to go see the shows.


However since Prince has already done it with the cover sleeve for "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World,"I think that's good enough.I love all the art and photos on each of his CD sleeves.

meow85 said:

I'd like to actually see Prince continue an album cover theme across many albums in the style of Journey, ELO, or Joni Mitchell (for example). In the case of Journey and ELO, it's spaceships. Joni, picture frames.

I liked what he had going on starting with Exodus and seeded throughout the NPGMC website - those hand-drawn caricatures of MPLS people, all of which seemed to resemble him. Those screamed "FUNK". There was also the alternate Come album cover that featured those characters.

Terribly corny idea.

Are you that hungry to see your face on an album?

Se7en said:

I know where you're coming from, but would you seriously want to see the Come album wrapped up in this?

Nikademus said:

And he got sued in the process.

erik319 said:

Would the inclusion of that Pepsi logo have helped fiancee the album?

BartVanHemelen said:

I don't remember a lawsuit over this. I'll have to look it up.

squirrelgrease said:

Someone sent in professional photos without the photographers permission, if I remember correctly.

squirrelgrease said:

there really is no contest between this car crash and the sombre end result for the album is there?

"Parke, put down the fucking crayons..."

erik319 said:

Oh. I see. Must have been a Glamour Shot or something. I should have put a wig on and sent in a photo. Or I could have sent CJ's pic.

squirrelgrease said:

I swear one of the pictures was a bloke anyway. Didn't even bother putting on a wig. Hi if you're a Orger!

erik319 said: