Analysing CD Covers

Jane's Addiction 'Nothing's Shocking'

In this case; first impressions are lasting ones. 'Nothing's Changed' is an extremely eye-grabbing front cover even though the image itself is in black and white. Our immediate response is shock, dismay and pure curiosity as to what this front cover could possibly mean.

The effect of the black and white image strongly emphasises the content of the front cover as opposed to vibrant and aesthetically pleasing colours. Furthermore as the artist's name is written in colour, it could enhance the importance of the artist's name and suggest that the meaning behind the name is of great importance. Like the fact that the 'A' in 'Addiction' is shaped very similar to a pentagram, which is commonly associated with witchcraft and other supernatural concepts, could portray the band's musical values and beliefs through their name.

The picture itself consists of two naked women joint at the shoulder and hip, sitting on a hovering rocking chair whilst their heads are on fire. The background is plain and bare, accentuating these naked women who look almost inanimate and as though they are blankly staring at something above the audiences view. The fact that their heads are on fire and the rocking chair is levitating, reinforces my earlier mentioned idea that there are supernatural and unnatural elements within their music. Furthermore, the fact that the album is called 'Nothing's Shocking' is quite satirical as everything the image conveys is shocking to the average person, which again allows us to understand the band's musical interest and general ideologies; to them, this image is relatively normal and possibly an everyday aspect of their lives. However to the audience, it is extremely outrageous and does not comprehend any logical sense. Therefore implying that their music within this album is similarly extreme and strange to an audience who doesn't know what their music is about, yet to those who share the values and beliefs of 'Jane's Addiction', this will be 'nothing shocking' and just another extract of musical entertainment for the band's loyal fans.

Jane's Addictions' song 'The Mountain Song', was band from being played on certain radio stations and television channels due to explicit exposure of indecent body images. However i managed to find a link to make a judgment for myself as to how extreme this video really was:

http://vodpod.com/watch/4458524-janes-addiction-mountain-song