THE UNDERTONES – THE UNDERTONES

Digipack Deconstruction

Digipack

A digipack is an effective tool in publicising and promotion of an album. It also demonstrated a great way of developing the artwork, and removes the obvious barrier the consumer had to the album, the only downfall being that the case tends to become battered easier.

The genre research I carried out on Punk-rock bands showed me that they can either be conceptual or just downright mad, although there are a few characteristics that are carried through almost every band.

This album is their debut CD, which can be inferred by the simple cover.

Front Cover

The front cover is indicative of most punk rock bands, a picture of the band sitting in a nondescript area, in this case on a wall. The picture itself is monochrome, something common to punk-rock bands, but tinted a turquoise colour, the same as is used for the title.

The title of the album is the bands name, something common to debut albums, but also could be a way of promoting the band further.

The only other colour comes from a strip down the front, which is red, a much bolder colour, meant to draw attention, to which their name is in white, another use of lack of colour, which could mean more of a focus on the music.

Back Cover

The back cover has another picture of the band, sitting in the same place but further up on the embankment. The picture is in the same tinted colour as on the front, with the name also in the same colour, but a different style, like the one down the side.

The track listings are in white on a red background, again drawing focus to the music and not the band.

There are bonus tracks specifically for the CD, which were not released before. This is unusual for most punk bands.

Inside Cover

The inside cover shows part of a greater sheet, much like a poster, with details about the band. The visible part includes old pictures of the band members, from when they were younger, and a partial bit of information about their history.

The background is red, a reoccurring theme in the album, which draws focus.

It could also reinforce the idea that the band don’t have a brand insomuch as they are the brand, their music sells rather than a logo.

Disc Tray

The disc tray has a red background, drawing focus to the black and white picture of two of the band members performing live. This type of picture is common in punk-rock bands.

The grainy, black and white pictures are something commonly found in this genre, as they infer a roughness, something less artful but more real, much like the music is.