4. Spiritualized – Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space (1997)
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Pros: Keeping in line with their career-spanning theme of medical inner space, Spiritualized released several special editions of their 1997 album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space. The artwork remains the same scant, industrial text/blueprint graphic, but the packaging of these editions mimics that of prescriptions drugs. One such case features a CD encased in a blister pack, accompanied with a directions pamphlet for liner notes. A solid, bold statement for a solid, bold album.
Cons: The other version of this special editions takes the concept right over the edge and into the deep end, featuring twelve 3-inch discs in two 6-portion blister packs. Each disc contains a single song, making for easily the most inconvenient way to listen to an album whose songs regularly bleed into one another. If you’ve got an extra $200 to spend on drugs, this is probably the safest option you’ve got as you’ll likely never want to break the seal.
5. Flaming Lips – Gummy Song Fetus (2011)
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Pros: Ah, the specimen that started my ideas on this whole post. The Flaming Lips are known for being envelope-pushers, not in a mean or offensive sort of way, but in a just-plain-weird sense. Their live shows are highly theatric, audience-encompassing mini-festivals, and I’m sure any other adjectives I use to describe them will result in many more hyphens.
Cons: Pure, unadulterated gross-out factor. As the name implies, that’s a gummy fetus with a USB drive in the middle of the cute little head of our unborn friend. Implanted music content has been around since the advent of hidden locked groove tracks, but this takes a whole new turn for the worse. The music might be good, and the novelty is invaluably viral, but what do you do with the edible gummy fetus carcass after you’ve retrieved the EP? Eat it? Ugh.
6. Josh Freese – My New Friends (2011)
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Pros: Graded pay-scales for albums are a wonderful thing. If you’re a fan of the artist, you can buy the album like you normally would. An interested less-than-fan can purchase the digital download for less than half the cost of the physical disc. Capital!
Cons: Josh Freese is an accomplished drummer, having played for notable acts like A Perfect Circle, Devo and Nine Inch Nails, to name a few. Still, regardless of how good a drummer is, I have trouble convincing myself to buy a solo album from one. I think Mr. Freese is aware of this stigma. His newest effort features an outrageous pay-scale you can catch a glimpse of in the screencap. Yes, that does say $7500. And it goes all the way up to $75,000.
Your friend Abraham Lincoln will buy you the digital version of the EP. His twin brother and a couple of George Washingtons will buy you the actual disc. $350 will get you a lunch with Freese at PF Chang’s among other perks. And for $75k, well, let’s just say one part of the package involves Hollywood, a Lamborghini and shrooms. Good luck with that one, Josh.
7. Rammstein – Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (2009)
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Pros: Oh, what a nice sleek box…
Cons: …
“A limited edition deluxe box set … features the Special Edition album, handcuffs, lubricant and six dildos (corresponding to the members of the band).”
Dude… TMI.
For more album art reviews, visit Probably Just Hungry.
