Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
http://www.amazon.com/Defense-Genre-Say-Anything/dp/B000W03OYW/ref=sr_1_...?
I picked this cover design because it was one that really caught my eye and kinda jumped off the page at me. It depicts a mob of babies with spears and headgear against a mob of old folks with spears and headgear. The first thing that came to my mind upon seeing this photo was how our world differs from the world of our parents and grandparents. The things that we are growing up with and the things that they grew up with are so different and contrast in so many ways.
We grew up knowing and learning technology, like TV, computers, cars, cell phones and (well you know - you're living it!). And they grew up in an era where these things were just being introduced and if you didn't have the money then you didn't learn to use the technology. Our media and values and morals have changed greatly in the past years - the amount of sex and foul language on TV and in music has enhanced to unfathomable amounts from our grandparents age (even this cover has a parental advisory sticker on it!).
But these are the thoughts and images that entered my mind while viewing this cover for the first time. After looking more closely, I wondered if the types of weapons they were using were different, but they weren't, there are also no girls depicted on the cover. Really the design is basic and simple, but the meanings behind it can be very strong (as with many covers we've discussed in class). I also thought it surprising that it was babies against old folks and not teens against parents - which is a common battle.
Any thoughts on what I might be missing?
I think the most interesting thing about this album is the title and how it relates to the cover. "In Defense of the genre" could mean a whole number of things. This is their newest release and I haven't managed to pick up a copy yet but from their first album I know that they are a band of somewhat rebellion and very strongly opinionated towards modern society. I think they are trying to defend the style of music they represent which is an informative protest style. Unlike Rage Against the Machine which almost calls for action, they only bring issues to the listeners attention. Maybe they think that the saviors are todays children because ultimately they will be the ones continuing the genre. Something else that caught my eye was the placement and detail of the parental advisory sticker. It's almost like they're proud of it.
On a semi-related side note, my sister's friend was dating the bass player from Armor for Sleep and they were supposed to tour with Say Anything after their first album was released. She said the singer/songwriter from Say Anything went into the insane asylum (haha not sure if thats what they're called anymore) before they could tour.
Submitted by er0l12 on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 22:19.I agree, the image emphasizes the fact they want to stand up against the mainstream and that they are ready to defend the music that they create. They are not ashamed in any way of the lyrics and the placement of the parental advisory stickers shows this. I also like what you said about the fact that it is babies, showing that younger people are the next generation that will continue this genre of music.
Submitted by aculp on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 00:24.I think a reason they moved the parental advisory sign was that its current location does not obstruct as much of the graphics than if it was in the usual lower right hand corner position. If it was, it would obstruct much of the detail of the child warriors. On the note of a lack of girls, there is one child with pigtails, which could indicate girls taking part, though even with straining my eyes I can't find any on the old folks' side. I like the fact that they are all wielding the same weapons, though the artist may not have intended it, it may imply that the weapons the youth are using today to defend their music and culture is the same their grandparents used to defend their music and culture from their grandparents. I bet those who listened to music from the early part of the 20th century had criticism from previous generations. The castle being on the right reinforces the idea of the younger generation defending against the old.
Submitted by Silento on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 09:33.Overall, I like the title and cover art. It makes you want to look at it closer, to pick out the details of the individual fighters.
I think your interpretation is spot on. On the notion of the weapons being exactly the same on both sides of the battlefield of generations, I think there's definitely an explicit message being portrayed there. This seems to suggest that the clashing is taking place between two distinct points of view, but is essentially fought with the same weapons. "Weapon" here can mean multiple things, including language, social norms, general ethical and moral principles, and even the implied taste in music. In which case, it also suggests that the older generation never really became any better at defending their takes on these issues than the newer generations have.
It's an interesting statement on how some important, yet subtle similarities can be found in the most blatant of differences in terms of perspective and cultural inclinations.
Submitted by bfawaz on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 09:45.After seeing the cover of this CD, and reading your analysis. I really wanted to know what the music sounded like, so I got on iTunes and started listening to it.
I really think that this package would work, because it definitely got me interested. After listening to some of the tracks, i realized that this music is very unique, providing several styles of sound.
I think maybe they are exaggerating the age of the youth to make a more powerful point.
Submitted by iamaustin on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 11:14.