1. The front coverof the albumcapturesthe potential consumer,byincludingtwoof the bandmembers.The image isamediumshotof two men:Carl Barat
and Pete Doherty.One of the menlooksdirectlyatthe camera,providingthe impressionthathe islookingatthe potential consumer. Thiscanhelpto
encourage purchase of the albumbecause the viewerlooksasif theyare beingdirectlyaddressedbythe artist.Thisreinforcesasense of intimacybetween
the artist andconsumer,creatinga relationshipbetweenthe potential consumerandthe artistbehindthe music.
The texton the albumcoverholds
significance because itisincludedonmany
of The Libertinesotheralbums,givingthe
banda sense of identity.The use of this
exploitation of thistext,createsabrand
that the band wouldinstantlybe
recognisedby. The texthasbecome iconic,
not justwiththisbandalone,butwith
otherbands,i.e.The Sex Pistols.T
Lookingat thisalbumcover,itappearsthat the
photographistakenunprofessionally,providinga
more authentic,downtoearthappearance. Itappears
to be verycandid,as if to portray that itis an everyday
photograph. Professional editshave notbeenapplied
to make the artistslookmore glamorous,insteada
basicfilterhasbeenaddedtoinserta retrostyle to
the image.
The photographappearsto be overexposed,
reinforcingthe ideathatthe image is
unprofessional- thisideaisportrayedthrough
the costumes.The artistsdon’tappearto be
wearingdesignerclothes.The ideaisprovoked
alsothroughthe use of tattoos.These work
togethertogive the artistsa sense of
humblenessand realism.
The albumcover provokesmanypossible
semanticcodesandconnotations.They
couldpotentiallybe seenastobe underthe
influenceof Drugsor Alcohol,throughthe
use of bare arms beingone of the main
focuspoints. Thiscouldportraythe idea
that theyare usingheroin.Furthermore,he
isholdinga glasswhichindicatesalcohol
consumption.
The artists appearto be veryclose inthe
photograph,whichcouldevoke asense of
irony.Potentiallytheyare attemptingto
mock the closenessof mainstreambands.
Thisidealinkstootherrock/punkstyle
bands,because theydonot take themselves
as seriously.
