In this post, I’m continuing the exploration of the art and design of record labels that I began last week. I’ll dive straight into some examples of what I think are interesting or cool examples of label art. Though I’ll be using scans available on Discogs and other sites, the examples that follow are all drawn from my collection. They are labels that jumped out at me while removing records from sleeves, placing them on the turntable or watching them spin. My comments refer to labels as both still and moving images and I’ve therefore used photos and videos as appropriate.
Another fascinating deep dive, thanks Richard. Highlighting the Vertigo label caused me to go back to look at one of my few 1971 albums from that label, the Ian Matthews release "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (itself an odd album title, grammatically). In at least that instance, the full Side A and Side B track listing is provided on the "B" side, and the "A" side consists of just the swirl label, with no other markings beyond the "A." I'm not sure I understand how I never noticed the swirl pattern before during playing the "A" side of the record -- it really is trippy and effective.
This is such an interesting article, Richard! Thank you for your research, insight, and sharing with us. Wow, that Jim O'Rourke center label is graphic design at its best! It's so simple, yet so damn good!
I also love the third (C) and fifth (E) Can label! And, it's always nice to see the inclusion of the Vertigo swirl. 🙂
Another fascinating deep dive, thanks Richard. Highlighting the Vertigo label caused me to go back to look at one of my few 1971 albums from that label, the Ian Matthews release "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (itself an odd album title, grammatically). In at least that instance, the full Side A and Side B track listing is provided on the "B" side, and the "A" side consists of just the swirl label, with no other markings beyond the "A." I'm not sure I understand how I never noticed the swirl pattern before during playing the "A" side of the record -- it really is trippy and effective.
Thanks, James. That Vertigo label is a beaut, isn't it?
Ghostbox's Julian House is a fantastic graphic designer, holy hell.
This is such an interesting article, Richard! Thank you for your research, insight, and sharing with us. Wow, that Jim O'Rourke center label is graphic design at its best! It's so simple, yet so damn good!
I also love the third (C) and fifth (E) Can label! And, it's always nice to see the inclusion of the Vertigo swirl. 🙂
Thanks Michael. Think I have one more record label piece in me for now, then back to other things.