Sqwink Album Art Blog

I, like many, have been eagerly awaiting the release of Ash’s 6th album, Twilight of the Innocents—especially to hear how their music has progressed since the departure of Charlotte Hatherley. Although this review is regarding the CD cover design artwork for the new album, I think it is important to establish that originally, Ash were a three-piece band—and now after Charlotte’s gone solo; a three-piece once again.

First Impressions of the new CD Cover Art:

When I first laid my eyes on the new CD cover design, it wasn’t the actual design itself that struck me—rather the whole underlying concept of it. Let me explain: Image 1 shows Ash’s first album [or some say EP] Trailer. Back then, in 1994, Ash were a three-piece alternative rock band—and still a three-piece when they recorded 1977 (image 2). Note that both these album covers displayed no band photo…but wait, by the time Ash wrote and recorded Nu-Clear Sounds in 1998 (3), Charlotte Hatherley (from previous band ‘Nightnurse’) joined the Irish-trio. So it’s fair to assume that to establish this new addition to the band, Ash released this third album with a photo of the band—Charlotte included. The CD cover for ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’ isn’t just a CD design, it’s an affirmation of fact—more like information design. By the time Free All Angels and Meltdown (4 & 5) were released, the four-piece Ash was already established—hence no Band photo on the CD covers.

Now that Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray are set to release their sixth studio album, ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ (6), there is an agenda to procure—not only to promote an album with a great CD cover, to to proclaim to new or unknowledgeable Ash fans that Charlotte is no longer enlisted. This ‘agenda’ has resulted in CD art predominantly utilizing photography of the three founding Ash members.

As can be seen, the ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ CD artwork is dominated by an image which is very saturated, with a ‘burn’ effect applied to it. In-line with previous CD album releases from Ash, yet another incarnation of the Ash logo has made an appearance. This is a viable sign that the Irish Alt-Rock band like to keep in touch with an ever evolving fan base and music industry. For instance, I believe that this new logo yields some very interesting clues about the direction in which Ash are moving in. Last year, Ash were playing many smaller gigs, ‘testing’ their new material—and identity. So, this kind of logo, which represents a look & feel of Cracked Text, has an imitated appearance of text on a flier that has been folded into someone’s pocket, or a poster pasted onto a brick wall. Whatever the designers intention, this new Ash logo has definite indie appeal—and injects some real freshness into the ‘Ash Brand’.

Conclusion:

When it comes down to it, this is an album cover parading just a band photo. Nothing new…but plain and simple? No—there’s so much more to it than that. This CD artwork is all about the piety between Ash’s musical content and the CD cover design. It’s not just about design flair—rather communication regarding the past, present and future of Ash. Twilight of the Innocents, I feel, shouldn’t be solely viewed as a sixth studio album, rather part of a 15-year journey that takes the band to this point.

For this, a band photo doesn’t only suffice, it’s 100% appropriate—and has been executed well. Notice that the singer, Tim Wheeler is in the background of the shot, giving precedence to Mark and Rick. Read into this what you will, but in my opinion, it’s a symbol of the remarkable career of Ash—conveying gratitude to all three remaining, yet original Ash band members.

If I weren’t an Ash fan, and as a graphic designer I knew nothing about Ash other than the fact they’re a popular band, I would mark this CD cover 5/10—merely because it’s basically another band-photo cover. However, because I am an Ash fan, I know that this artwork is all about communication to fans, establishing their current status and heralding a new direction—and for this, a 7/10 is far more fitting.

As usual, feel free to leave comments and questions. No registration required, but abusive comments will be deleted.
Review by Andrew Kelsall BA (Hons), Sqwink CD Design

Side-Note: If you’re into Ash, there’s a couple of great sites—Jedisteve’s ASH Tabs and Walking Barefoot.com, with up-to-date news on this band (plus Ash-Official, of course).

I, like many, have been eagerly awaiting the release of Ash’s 6th album, Twilight of the Innocents—especially to hear how their music has progressed since the departure of Charlotte Hatherley. Although this review is regarding the CD cover design artwork for the new album, I think it is important to establish that originally, Ash were a three-piece band—and now after Charlotte’s gone solo; a three-piece once again.

First Impressions of the new CD Cover Art:

When I first laid my eyes on the new CD cover design, it wasn’t the actual design itself that struck me—rather the whole underlying concept of it. Let me explain: Image 1 shows Ash’s first album [or some say EP] Trailer. Back then, in 1994, Ash were a three-piece alternative rock band—and still a three-piece when they recorded 1977 (image 2). Note that both these album covers displayed no band photo…but wait, by the time Ash wrote and recorded Nu-Clear Sounds in 1998 (3), Charlotte Hatherley (from previous band ‘Nightnurse’) joined the Irish-trio. So it’s fair to assume that to establish this new addition to the band, Ash released this third album with a photo of the band—Charlotte included. The CD cover for ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’ isn’t just a CD design, it’s an affirmation of fact—more like information design. By the time Free All Angels and Meltdown (4 & 5) were released, the four-piece Ash was already established—hence no Band photo on the CD covers.

Now that Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray are set to release their sixth studio album, ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ (6), there is an agenda to procure—not only to promote an album with a great CD cover, to to proclaim to new or unknowledgeable Ash fans that Charlotte is no longer enlisted. This ‘agenda’ has resulted in CD art predominantly utilizing photography of the three founding Ash members.

As can be seen, the ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ CD artwork is dominated by an image which is very saturated, with a ‘burn’ effect applied to it. In-line with previous CD album releases from Ash, yet another incarnation of the Ash logo has made an appearance. This is a viable sign that the Irish Alt-Rock band like to keep in touch with an ever evolving fan base and music industry. For instance, I believe that this new logo yields some very interesting clues about the direction in which Ash are moving in. Last year, Ash were playing many smaller gigs, ‘testing’ their new material—and identity. So, this kind of logo, which represents a look & feel of Cracked Text, has an imitated appearance of text on a flier that has been folded into someone’s pocket, or a poster pasted onto a brick wall. Whatever the designers intention, this new Ash logo has definite indie appeal—and injects some real freshness into the ‘Ash Brand’.

Conclusion:

When it comes down to it, this is an album cover parading just a band photo. Nothing new…but plain and simple? No—there’s so much more to it than that. This CD artwork is all about the piety between Ash’s musical content and the CD cover design. It’s not just about design flair—rather communication regarding the past, present and future of Ash. Twilight of the Innocents, I feel, shouldn’t be solely viewed as a sixth studio album, rather part of a 15-year journey that takes the band to this point.

For this, a band photo doesn’t only suffice, it’s 100% appropriate—and has been executed well. Notice that the singer, Tim Wheeler is in the background of the shot, giving precedence to Mark and Rick. Read into this what you will, but in my opinion, it’s a symbol of the remarkable career of Ash—conveying gratitude to all three remaining, yet original Ash band members.

If I weren’t an Ash fan, and as a graphic designer I knew nothing about Ash other than the fact they’re a popular band, I would mark this CD cover 5/10—merely because it’s basically another band-photo cover. However, because I am an Ash fan, I know that this artwork is all about communication to fans, establishing their current status and heralding a new direction—and for this, a 7/10 is far more fitting.

As usual, feel free to leave comments and questions. No registration required, but abusive comments will be deleted.
Review by Andrew Kelsall BA (Hons), Sqwink CD Design

Side-Note: If you’re into Ash, there’s a couple of great sites—Jedisteve’s ASH Tabs and Walking Barefoot.com, with up-to-date news on this band (plus Ash-Official, of course).