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MUSIC FEATURE

DI-VINYL When record packaging is taken to the limit

CHART Vinyl

S ince the late ‘60s, artists and labels have tapped the wells of creativity to transform the humble vinyl record into a cornucopia of inspired design and functionality. Some of the record, album, and sleeve packaging concepts are breathtaking, merging art with form. From the absurd to the brilliant, we present our top five favourites. SHOUT OUT LOUDS BLUE ICE (2012) Swedish indie band the Shout Out Louds conceived an extraordinary idea for their 2012 single, Blue Ice . Alongside the standard release, they created a limited run of 10 boxed sets made available to a selection of chosen fans and media outlets. Inside was a silicone mould with an inset vinyl pattern and a bottle of distilled water with instructions to pour the liquid into the mould and freeze for ‘no less than six hours’. While not great for the stylus, once frozen and removed from the mould, the song could be played. THE DURUTTI COLUMN RETURN OF THE DURITTI COLUMN (1980) Stablemates with Joy Division, post-punks The Durutti Column’s debut album sleeves were initially covered with sandpaper. It was the idea of Factory boss Tony Wilson who roped in Joy Division to glue the coarse sandpaper to the covers.

Conceived solely for destructive purposes, the sandpaper cover would cause

space rockers enlisted graphic artist Barney Bubbles to create a striking cover with an interlocking sleeve that formed the shape of a hawk when unfolded. Occasional band member and poet Robert Calvert wrote a 24-page sci-fi-inspired booklet called The Hawkwind Log, which contained a collection of lysergic-induced mythical space log entries, photos, and illustrations. Yeah, man. LED ZEPPELIN IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR (1979) No strangers to innovative packaging (see Zeppelin II and Physical Graffiti), Zeppelin’s final album, In Through the Out Door , was designed with six different covers. These were concealed inside a plain brown paper bag outer sleeve sealed in cellophane. Buyers had no idea what cover they were getting until they paid at the counter. It was catnip to collectors. It didn’t end there, though. The black and white artwork on the inner sleeve would permanently colour if brushed with water.

significant damage to any album that it was slotted next to in a record rack. Sonic sabotage at its best. BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS CATCH A FIRE (1973) The excellent fifth album from Bob Marley and the Wailers was a turning point in the musician’s career, establishing him – and reggae music - on the international stage. Graphic artists Rod Dyer and Bob Weiner designed the

1. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Unlimited Love

2. WET LEG Wet Leg

3. ARCTIC MONKEYS AM

4. HARRY STYLES Fine Line

5. FLEETWOOD MAC Rumours

6. QUEEN

Greatest Hits

7. OLIVIA RODRIGO Sour 8. HARRY STYLES Harry Styles 9. PINK FLOYD The Dark Side of the Moon 10. TAME IMPALA Current

original cover based on a Zippo lighter. Restricted to the first 20,000 pressings due to the manual work of riveting the cover together, the top would flip open on a hinge like an actual Zippo. HAWKWIND IN SEARCH OF SPACE (1971) In Search of Space , the band’s second album was recorded just before Lemmy joined. Well received by critics and punters alike, the

On The Record Radar

OUT 29/7

OUT 10/6

VANCE JOY IN OUR OWN SWEET TIME

MAGGIE ROGERS SURRENDER JB-EXCLUSIVE HOT PINK VINYL, REGULAR BLACK VINYL

LIZZO SPECIAL JB-EXCLUSIVE GOLD VINYL, REGULAR BLACK VINYL

SPACEY JANE HERE COMES EVERYBODY JB-EXLUSIVE NEON ORANGE VINYL, REGULAR BLACK VINYL

JB-EXCLUSIVE COKE BOTTLE GREEN VINYL, REGULAR BLACK VINYL

OUT 15/7

OUT 10/6

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