In depth CD cover analysis of the albums Only by the Night (Kings of Leon), Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and Brand New Eyes (Paramore- not quite finished!)

1. CD Cover Analysis

2. The font of the album name and the
band name are the same style and
size. The style of the font is usually
associated with the special forces
when they go on missions which
could suggest that the band is on a
mission to create the best music
possible. Although it could also imply
that the music is top secret and you
have to buy the album to be able to
hear it.
The image shows the 4 members of
the band mashed up to create one
face. This could suggest togetherness
within the band (they’re all related)
and lead the fan to believe that they
can unite together with this band if
they buy the album.
Features of an eagle are incorporated into the image which is used to display their
genre of music. You normally associate eagles with Western America which is
renowned for its country/rock music which would apply to audiences who love the
alternative rock genre.
The colour and layout of the album is
trying to replicate the view you would
get if you looked at the image
through night vision goggles. This is
done as it links with the name of the
album ‘Only by the Night’. It also
shows they can only be found during
the night which suggest their music is
about quite dark/serious matters.
The font is quite small compared to
the image which could be done to
give the band’s fans a sense of
belonging as they would recognise
who the album was by through the
image of the band on the front.
The fact that an eagle is incorporated
into their faces could be comparing
themselves to eagles. Eagles are high
flying and dominant eagles which
could be done to suggest that this
band are soaring around the world
through their music.
Eye contact with the consumer
intrigues them to buy the album as it
creates a personal connection with
them and the band.

3. Font on the back is same as on
the front to keep the special
forces ‘mission’ theme running
throughout.
The writing has been flipped to
add a twist to the cd cover which
could suggest that their music is
slightly different and unique to
other artists.
From the design, it looks like we are viewing the eagle
through a scope of a gun. This displays their album as a
target which could imply that it should be a target for
audiences to buy it.
The name of the producers are
included at the bottom so that
the audience can acknowledge
the work that the producers
did
The front of the eagle features the
face of an eagle so they continue the
image on the back by using the back of
an eagle head.

4. There is no picture of the band,
suggesting that they aren’t
bothered about personal image but
just want people to appreciate the
music of the album.
Arcadium isn’t actually a word in
the dictionary but it could’ve
been generated from the word
Arcadia which can mean any real
or imaginary place offering peace
and simplicity. This suggests to
the audience that the genre of
the music is quite chilled,
relaxing and don’t cover
serious/important matters. It
could also be a reason for the
artwork of the cover, as everyone
imagines about going to space
and it is a very simple and
peaceful place.
The font is big and fills a fair bit of the album cover. It is also made to look bright and has
a thin white ring around it. This could be done to replicate a planet as the cover artwork
is of space. Planets are big and light up space as they’re very bright and Saturn in
particular has a ring around it. This is just like how the font is made to look.
The colours towards the
centre of the album are
quite bright and vibrant to
suggest their music is quite
positive.
The font of the band name is
smaller than the album
name to suggest that people
will be able to identify the
album by the album name
rather than the band name.
The fact that that the album artwork is of space could be
implying to the audience that their music is so good that it is
‘out of this world’.

5. The album features two CDs and the CD names are
‘Jupiter’ and ‘Mars’ which fits into the space theme on
the front cover as they are the name of planets.
There is a contrast to the front
cover as not only are the band
displayed on the back but the
colours are a lot darker. This could
suggest that the music isn’t as
positive as first thought and their
songs all have a dark, serious side.
Black, white and red are often
colours you would associate with
rock which suggests the genre of
the album.
Eye contact with the
consumer intrigues them
to buy the album as it
creates a personal
connection with them and
the band.

6. The album is called ‘Brand
New Eyes’ buy Paramore. The
font for the band name is
quite simple which suggests to
the audience that the band are
just trying to be simple and
not try anything unusual to
attract the audiences.
The background and colours are also
quite simple to reinforce their desire
to be simple and not try anything
unusual.
The name of the album is above the
name of the band, it is a small font
and is implying to the audience that
they are more interested in them
being interested in their name of the
band instead of the name of the
album.
The Butterfly could be used to represent the band as the
background is mainly black and white with the butterfly standing
out as it is orange. This could suggest that they stand out from
other bands.