MUSIC IS ART; ART IS MUSIC

Music is an aural and visual medium. Whilst the aural component may initially attract the consumer of the music, there is an equal debate for the visual element.

We have all been attracted to the “cover art” of recorded music on at least one occasion in our lives. It may be recorded music of an artist that you know & enjoy, or it could be an unknown artist; sometimes the “cover art” is simply very appealing, and it draws you in. It makes you listen to recorded music, of which you may never have stumbled upon in any other situation.

Great collections of recorded music [whether that be commercial and/ or critical success] invariably have great “cover art”; it simply goes with the territory. I’ll list some examples:

• “Abbey Road” – The Beatles
• “Nevermind” – Nirvana
• “Dark Side of the Moon” – Pink Floyd
• “Rumours” – Fleetwood Mac
• “Country Life” – Roxy Music

The list is endless. In each case, the “cover art” of these music recordings is instantly recognisable and synonymous with that particular recording. Whether it be the artists’ picture or a graphic, these cases will be deemed “classic” for ever and a day.

I have become concerned that the “visual” aspect of recorded music would gradually disappear in conjunction with the steady reduction in physical music sales. There is a material difference is admiring the “cover art” of a physical music recording as opposed to clicking on a thumbnail image of the “cover art” via the Internet.

This weekend’s visit to my local JB Hi-Fi shop [a prominent music retailer in Australia] has set my concerns aside. “Cover art” is alive and well.

“21” by Adele has been the highest selling CD/ mp3 et al in Australia in 2011 [and the rest of the globe]. Adele’s phenomenal success is based upon equal parts brilliant voice & memorable songs, however it comes as no surprise that “21” also features brilliant “cover art”. I had no idea of Adele or her story until April of this year, until I stumbled upon “21” on the music play list of a commercial flight. Why was I compelled to listen to the songs of “21”? The “cover art”; Adele’s black & white portrait immediately grabbed my attention.

Some music critics are claiming “21” to be the saviour of the recorded music industry, as physical sales of the release have been enormous. Maybe [just maybe], “21” has unwittingly rejuvenated the importance of “cover art” for the modern music generation.

Music is art, and art will always be music.