RAINBOW CHILDREN was great based on musical merits, but a big part of its mystique and success, I think, was its artwork and packaging. It was the best Prince has had in years. Remember how fascinating the artwork was on some of his old releases?

My question: To what extent do you think a release's packaging helps attract and captivate an audience? Do you think it helps define the artistic experience of a new album, or do you think it matters little?

As an aside, what are some of your favorite album covers/packagings?

i know when i was a more amateur Prince fan...C&D's booklet put me off. (needle & also that body part that is quite icky lookin'...)
took me a few months 2 finally give in2 temptation & buy it...
Because i already had the music from ONALive! from a friend...
when i finally bought the boxset when it became available in OZ...the whole package was very impressive 2 me.

but Packaging doesnt really matter 2 me.
tho it is nice 2 have something u can show off 2 a friend & they respond with an "oooh" or "wow that's nice".
a nice compliment 2 the artist & the package in a whole

Well, of course, especially the artwork on Radiohead-Records: "OK Computer" and "Kid A" are just amazing. I quite like the artwork that "The Smiths"-records had.

it used to be very important when we were still dealing with vinyl. album covers were good for so much...pics on the wall...picking up dirt off the floor...

I only think about the packaging when it becomes a pain in the ass. ONA is a pain in the ass packaging. The jewel cases that hold 2 cds are a pain in the ass. I like the Pet Shop Boys but a lot of their packaging involves cardboard holders or jewel cases that go in cardboard sleeves. Pain in the ass packaging. Like the hockey puck Crystal Ball packaging. Who ever designs these deals does not live in the real world.

it is true that while lovesexy is truly awful that the cover is scary thus combining two bad feelings.

like rhonda said, back in the days of vinyl it mattered because records were so big, so an impressive package was, well, impressive. cd booklets are so small that no matter how cool they are they are just kind of dinky.
[This message was edited Thu Mar 6 13:06:29 PST 2003 by medoc2003]

On Vinyl Yes LAWD! My Old Earth,Wind&Fire or Parliament Funkadelic Albums with so much going on were so cool.Stevie Wonder Mid 70's Covers&Designs were Super Cool as well.Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" Cover design with the "Good Times" Paintings are something else.Albums were like a Family Group Picture or something back in the day.Cd's are like a Family's DNA Well Documented but doesn't have the same feeling for me.