THE ART OF THE LP — 1972
Here are three albums that didn’t make it onto the 72 FROM ’72 list.
If, however, the ranking had been about cover art and design they would have polled very well indeed.
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This LP by Family is a delightful conception, beautifully realised. The retro bakelite TV offers a black and white shot of the band. But when explore the package, it is not the artist but the electrical device that stands front and centre.
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Photographing silver album covers with embossed text is a nightmare. But if you haven’t seen this record— because, for example, you are not as big a fan of Grand Funk Railroad as Homer Simpson—then please enjoy. Cost: one silver dollar.
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This picnic outing from the cream of the UK folk-rock fraternity is musically lightweight. They tear through some rock and roll favourites and have a blast, but the recording would be unremarkable except for the packaging.
Yes, the odd perspective on an old-fashioned phonograph tonearm is cool, with its stylus and all. And the picture of a 7″ single is a nice touch, as many of the songs were originally 45s. But wait, that single looks so real…
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Got more if you want it.
vinylconnection.com.au 
Two of these I’ve never seen before, only the Grand Funk. The one with the 1950s TV is fantastic. I love retro stuff like that. I always wanted to have a house full of 1950s stuff but as far as I ever got was one of those formica and Chrome kitchen tables and a 1950s couch. And a 50s toaster. And the cover with the Art Deco type tone arm is fantastic too. I didn’t know those albums.
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Thanks for that great response, kingclover. It’s exactly why I put the post together and I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
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I love that Family album, music AND cover. It and “Fearless” are my faves by them, by far. Having John Wetton around never hurts . . . and Poli Palmer really gave them a weird sound in that period too. Good, good stuff. I need to go listen now.
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That’s super, J.E.S. Guess it is a Family time of year!
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Not only do I dig the Family cover , I dig that album. Guess what Im going to listen to now. ‘Burlesque’ is a song that is permanently burrowed in my brain. Good choice for a take fella. I have a few of those oddball records kicking around.
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They are so good, aren’t they? Part of the vinyl magic.
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Yes they are. I had to listen to the Family album after your post.
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👍
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Always loved that Family one. And the music. Unfortunately, I never bought it as a kid and now have plain, boring CDs of the band. But yeah – got to be up there as one of the best covers. Ever. 🙂
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You’ve noted something there, for sure. That disappointment when the CD of a beloved album was (finally) issued and we tried not to notice how cheap and plasticy it all seemed. Some idiots (like your correspondent) actually sold off their vinyl, a decision I’m still paying for with my very expensive ‘vinyl buy back’ program. 😅
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Wowzers Bruce!! The Family one puts me in mind of Kraftwerks Radioactivity.
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I actually did a feature on back-front electrical goods album covers (yes, I know) a while back. Radioaktivitat was right there.
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Nooooo! (I did sell a few, one by one, to a local store in Stirling just after we got married and I had no money to get to football in Glasgow! Though I now have it on CD, I could still cry at the thought of selling Alice Cooper’s ‘Love it to Death’ – the second album I ever bought as a kid. ) 😦
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As the sage said about something less important than records (I think it was marriage) “Discard in haste repent at leisure”. We’ve all done some of the ol’ repenting.
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“We’re An American Band” is a classic song from the 70’s.
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It is.
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Yes, please. More! I haven’t seen that Grand Funk cover in years. I can only imagine how difficult it was to photograph. 🙂 Happy Holidays, Bruce! – Marty
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Same to you, Marty. Stay warm!
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That Family packaging is fantastic!
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It’s a beauty, isn’t it?
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I actually did a feature on back-front electrical goods album covers a while back. Radioaktivitat was right there.
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