F: The album cover is dominated by the image of a sunset across a river, lake, the sea or an island. The colours are very peaceful and relaxed, the different shades of yellow and orange with the dark shades of the land and palm trees all really fit in well to the image. The colours are very warming, which is reflected as Kings of Leon are from the southern states in America so this kind of weather is very common so it reflects there culture. The music on the album also integrates well with the cover of the album because the music is very peaceful and relaxed. The colours also link to the album name well, which is Come Around Sundown as the image clearly shows the sun setting.
B: The back cover is very similar to the front in term of the sun setting background it has with the white text over it. The band are seen all standing together with the sun beaming in between them, the dark and light shades are still there but the text is all cleverly hidden into the dark shades otherwise it wouldn't be clear if it is was shown in the brighter parts. There is a cream border around the edge of the back cover to allow all the textual information to be shown clearly.
Because Of The Times - Kings of Leon (2007)
Colour
F: The album cover is very dark and almost looks horror like with the light bulb and the x-ray image of the skull which appears in a very clear and strong white which stands out very well . The colour of the font is a white and then lighter cream brown. It stands out well over the black.
B: The back cover is also black and very dark, this side of the cover carries on from the front cover image with the bulb that has been smashed in the front cover is now glass on the back cover. This
Brand Identity
F: The brand identity is slightly changed in this album, but only by the positioning and layout. The text and imaging throughout the front of this album follows the bands usual consistency.
B: Again like the front, the back is different to the usual Kings of Leon brand identity in terms of layout and positioning of text and images, it follows a very different pattern, the barcode too.
Layout & Positioning
F: The album cover for Because of The Times breaks away from the normal layout and positioning of other Kings of Leon albums and is actually very different. The album name and artist name is in the centre of the album, maybe 3/4 of the way up and has an image over and underneath it, this is very unlike and different to what Kings of Leon usually have on their albums.
B: Again this is very different to the usual back cover layouts of other Kings of Leon albums, the textual area with the song listing and other legal information is at the bottom of the back cover, with the majority of the space being dominated by an image of glass smashing which is a continuation from the front cover of the album.
Shot choice
F: The image of the skull that has been x-rayed onto the album cover is a medium close up shot, while the light bulb due to it being smaller is a most probably a long shot. The shot choices show the importance of the images, with the skull being bigger meaning it is more important than the bulb. The shot is a studio shot created via a programme such as Photoshop where the light bulb and skull have been crafted in to the album. The light bulb means that ideas have been created and that it has smashed due to the ideas being so powerful that it's broken and destructive, the skull could symbolise death and technology.
B: The image of the glass breaking into pieces continuing on from the smashed light bulb at the front of the album is a long shot too, showing a consistency with the light bulb that was also a l
Framing
F: The shots are centred and are of importance due to size, the image of the skull is big, to really stand out, the light bulb is smashing onto the skull.
B: The image of the glass breaking is again centred to symbolise the importance of the image.
Lighting
F: The image of the skull is very bright, a colour bright white that implicates the x-ray which is a strong powerful white. The light bulb looks dim with a bit of light about to burst from it, the pitch black background really complements
B: The back of the album is very dark and black, it seems very boring, angry and dark, the white text does really stand out however, but it isn't attractive at all and doesn't seem to stand out.
Font choice
F: The font choice for this album is again very different to previous Kings of Leon's albums that I have analysed. Some of the writing in the album is in lower-case, where as in previous Kings album the font size has just been in capitals and really bold. The artist name is in bold capital letters, whilst the album name is in lower-case, showing the importance of the artist identity rather than the sole of the album. The colours are contrasted too, the artist name is in a bold white, whereas the album name is a mustardy brown, this helps see the difference and they both stand out well.
B: The font choice for the back cover track listing is in capital letters with bold white writing, it stands out very well over the black and complements the black really well. The track numbers are in a yellow mustardy font which is seen at the front of the album for the album name.
Language choices
F: Just like most Kings of Leon albums, the language choices are very basic and neat, everything is kept in a short phrases and nothing is over done. If anything there isn't enough writing and textual information like maybe a quick review or quote.
B: Again the language choices are very basic and simple, this is very consistent as all Kings of Leon albums keep it short and sweet, the stuff that is necessary stays on, the stuff that isn't doesn't feature on the album.
Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings of Leon (2004)
Colour
F: Black and white on the front, meaning the white stands out, it is a petal like colour, creamy white that stands out and is complimented by the black. The image is of a flower blossoming which can be linked to Kings of Leon as this was there second album and the start of their fame and career.
B: The petal has really blossomed on the back cover picture, the text which is black is over the creamy petal. This is a lot more brighter and happier in terms of colour and just like their career, it is really developing into something big and strong.
Brand Identity
F: The usual brand identity from Kings of Leon if followed on the front cover of the album, the artist name is at the top as usual, with the album name at the bottom the CD cover. The man content is in the centre of the CD cover, as it always usually is.
B: the usual brand identity from Kings of Leon is followed as usual on the back of the album in terms keeping a consistency and relationship with the front of the album. The text is in a different position to the previous two albums along with the producer list at the bottom.
Layout & Positioning
F: The layout follows the usual Kings of Leon pattern with the artist name at the top, the image centred and the album name at the bottom, it is always kept like this in terms of brand identity and consistency.
B: The layout on the back always varies from other albums as the textual positioning usually changes. The barcode and producer information stays in the same position at the bottom of the page.
Shot choice
F: The shot choice on the front cover is a close up of the blossoming flower, this shot has been chosen because its in your face and shows in detail the petals expanding into the camera, as if it will keep growing further and further connoting Kings of Leon's powerful start to their career.
B: Again the shot choice is the same at the back, it is a close up, showing the full detail of the flower.
Framing
F: The shot is centred without blur, the shot is meant to be centred and framed their to show its importance and power.
B: The shot is centred without blur, the shot it higher up and still centred but leaving space at the bottom for the production list to be written out.
Lighting
F: The flower blossoming is very bright over the dark background which complements it. The shades can be seen around the flower, this shows really nice effects.
B: Again the lighting choice is exactly the same as the front, their is a brightness of the flower with dark shades around it and the dark pitch black background at the back complementing it.
Location
F: This shot was probably taken in a garden and edited out over a black background to make it stand out, the fictional location is probably meant to be the studio which is connoted with darkness and the flower represents Kings of Leon growing as an artist.
B: This shot was probably taken in a garden and edited out over a black background to make it stand out, the fictional location is probably meant to be the studio which is connoted with darkness and the flower represents Kings of Leon growing as an artist.
Font choice
F: The font choice is a very smart latin like, it is very hard to read and understand but it does look classy, almost classical like. Kings of Leon keep this consistent basis of font throughout all their ancillary tasks, with the drop shadow effect and bold font usually always white.
B: This is where Kings of Leon break their brand identity, they used a different font style and colour, this time going for an almost New Times Roman look with the basic black font.
Language choices
F: Just like most Kings of Leon albums, the language choices are very basic and neat, everything is kept in a short phrases and nothing is over done. If anything there isn't enough writing and textual information like maybe a quick review or quote.
B: Again the language choices are very basic and simple, this is very consistent as all Kings of Leon albums keep it short and sweet, the stuff that is necessary stays on, the stuff that isn't doesn't feature on the album.
