Within a day of expressing my love of the Air Mail letter I was stopped in my tracks, when entering our local supermarket, by this brilliantly executed bit of CD cover art. It really is well done. Ben would be pleased to see that the script has been done for real, even looks like it's been written on the envelope, which is nicely distressed. The postage mark is spot on. As is the unecessary kiss. Even that pompous photo of Phil looks just like a stuck on stamp. Flip the CD over and the back cover is just as good with the track listing typed onto the back of the envelope on an old typewriter (that wasn't you was it Matt?).
It's so good, I almost (please note, I say "almost") bought it.
Just one problem. Can you see what it is?
Unlike David, I won't keep you waiting. You see, to me, Phil Collins is the musical equivalent of Comic Sans; he's rubbish. Mind numbing, middle of the road, dull, dull, dull drivvle. And yet, I almost bought it. I wanted to buy it. I found myself wishing it was someone else's album, anyone else. I couldn't even bring myself to buy it for my wife who has terrible musical taste and for whom I would buy CD's that I secretly would like but are just too uncool.
I have another problem with it. Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem with compilation CDs that feature both new and old material? If Phil's new stuff is any good, why release it along with the same old shite? Doesn't that just smack of desperation, exploitation of his fan base? Isn't one just "a crutch" for the other? Perhaps I'm missing something. Feel free to correct me.
The last thing I'll say on the matter is how it inevitably reminded me of his last attempt to flog a dead horse (see below). Surely, that's a typo on the cover! Surely, surely that "S" is in the wrong place...
Actually, I must add that the intention here is not to offend any fans of the man but just to express my personal opinion. That's all it is.
The chevrons go the wrong way.
Posted by: Ben | 11 February 2007 at 09:39 PM
What, didn't you get the memo? Phil Collins has been reclaimed by music hipsters. It's okay to like him now.
http://www.stereogum.com/archives/004345.html
That postage stamp photo makes him look like an architect. A bit more Phil Johnson than Phil Collins, I'd say.
Posted by: Bruce | 11 February 2007 at 11:25 PM
I have a love/hate relationship with Phil. I love some early Genesis and, being a drummer, I have to take my hat off to him, especially the ability to sing and play at the same time (no drummer jokes, please!). But I think he is the most un-hip man in music, except for maybe Huey Lewis.
I produced a CD cover eerily similar to this in 1995, right down to the artist’s face in the stamp, custom post-mark, cheesy typewriter font... If only I knew how to link images
Posted by: Mr. One-Hundred | 12 February 2007 at 04:55 AM
For years i would recieve letters from a friend who lived in Tokyo and each letter she would send to me was sealed inside one of these air mail envelopes.
These were my favorite pieces of mail and still probably remain on of the best things i've ever been sent.
The envelopes are charming and decorative. I used to try and mimick their design by taking out a ruler and my crayola markers to color a similar pattern around the edge of the envelopes i would find in plain white stock at the Dollar Store. My attempts would usually smear and the colors would run slightly askew into the center of the paper.
And then i would walk into a department store and see the Phil Collins CD for months, constantly reminded of all those letters i'd get.
What i liked best about the ones i got was that each were stamped with the words "Par Avion" in french. They seemed very unique and un-american. Though i've gotta agree with you. Phil Collins is over-all, a pretty tasteless musician, so it surprises me that he choose to approve of a package design for his music that was so on-the-mark unlike the collection of songs inside.
Posted by: Andrew | 12 February 2007 at 07:54 AM
Actually, I think it says more about the postal service: it's only just got to Belfast when it was posted from Chiswick in January 1951.
Posted by: davidthedesigner | 12 February 2007 at 09:40 AM
Didn't American Psycho like Phil Collins?
Posted by: Charles Edward Frith | 12 February 2007 at 10:29 AM
not guilty m'lud.
perhaps he should consider doing something along the lines of the noisette's recent re-release: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandatorythinking/387189730/
Posted by: thunk. | 12 February 2007 at 02:48 PM
Collins may have blanded-out but he drummed for Brian Eno on Another Green World and was equally robust on Peter Gabriel's third album.
Posted by: John C | 12 February 2007 at 08:21 PM
Oh, and as far as CD sleeves as letters go, "Silver Apples of the Moon" by Laika went further. The original editions of the cover were plain brown card with specially made fake Soviet stamps, hand-applied and with the title in a franking design stamped over them by hand.
http://quimby.gnus.org/circus/jukebox.php?wrap=album&image=sleeve.jpg&group=Laika&album=Silver%20Apples%20Of%20The%20Moon
The rear of the case featured a genuine Airmail sticker with the track titles printed on a green customs sticker, both hand-applied once again, thus ensuring that every CD is slightly unique. Unfortunately this design has now been frozen into a print-only equivalent. A damned good album as well, worth 100 Phil Collins.
Posted by: John C | 12 February 2007 at 08:35 PM
Great link, and wonderful bashing of the wretched Mr. Collins.
Posted by: sulu-design | 12 February 2007 at 11:38 PM
Mr One Hundred, I grew up on early Genesis so have a soft spot for it too but they were innovating then. Collins just couldn't keep it up once he took the helm. Should have stuck with what he did best; hitting things with sticks.
John C, the Laika cover is superb, your link didn't work for me but I found both versions elsewhere, thanks for the tip off.
Everyone, thanks for your comments!
Posted by: Richard | 13 February 2007 at 12:02 AM
Good ol’ Flickr.
As previously discussed, I did this in 1995.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72228035@N00/388822690/
Richard, let me just clarify my admiration for Collins’ singing-and-drumming-at-the-same-time. It’s a technical thing. I don’t like what he is singing and I don’t like how he is drumming while he is singing, I just admire his ability to do both at the same time. You can’t beat Peter Gabriel dressed as a giant flower!
Posted by: Mr. One-Hundred | 13 February 2007 at 05:49 AM
What's wrong with it? It's not on vinyl. And the queen's head is missing.
Don't we stray onto dangerous ground by slagging old Collins off. I mean he depresses me big time but... I have actually seen him live a couple of times, but that was back in the days when he drummed and Gabriel sang. And mighty fine they were too. Indeed the Lamb Lies Down show was without doubt one of the top ten best live concerts I've ever been to. So I can kind of forgive him all the subsequent slush, provided I never have to hear it. Simon.
Posted by: simon robinson | 20 February 2007 at 06:41 PM
Wow Simon, I'm sure the Lamb tour must of been amazing. I grew up on early Genesis, thanks to my big bro and although went off in a different direction myself now feel a lot of affection for that early stuff. In fact, I'd say it was copying early Genesis artwork (and that of other progsters) when I was at school that played a large part in how I got into this business. Which is why, I think, I have such a problem with Collins veering towards, then staying put, in the middle of the road.
Posted by: Richard | 20 February 2007 at 10:47 PM