Cover Story: 100 Beautiful, Strange and Frankly Incredible New Zealand LP Covers

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Cover Story: 100 Beautiful, Strange and Frankly Incredible New Zealand LP Covers
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Steve Braunias
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:160
Dimensions(mm): Height 312,Width 312
Category/GenreOther graphic art forms
Music
ISBN/Barcode 9780947506896
ClassificationsDewey:741.6609930222
Audience
General

Publishing Details

Publisher Oratia Media
Imprint Oratia Books
Publication Date 26 October 2021
Publication Country New Zealand

Description

Music is a key to culture, no matter where in the world you are from and New Zealand is no exception. In the decades from 1957 87 the LP was king of New Zealand recorded music. To sell the music cover art was needed, and the book showcases 100 of the best examples at full LP size. Divided into themes, Cover Story brings Braunias' inimitable wit and empathy to bear on the artistic flair, fashion and occasional gaudiness these album covers represent. Based on interviews and his own experience collecting over 800 albums from op-shops around the country, he reflects on what they say about our popular culture. Several hundred words accompany each of the albums - from Bill & Boyd to Tina Cross, Christian music to punk - while Katrina duncan's sharp design lets the art leap from the page. This is a big book in every sense, one that is a visual delight and full of quirky information, but that doesn't take its subjects or itself too seriously.

Reviews

'Braunias' writing, in a chunky preface and separate essays with many of the covers, is often marvellous and brought to colourful life through encounters with the artists themselves or elderly eye witnesses.' Colin Hogg, Newsroom