Kasabian Album Art Review

Kasabian - Kasabian(2004)

The cover for the bands first album is extremely simple, using a black background with the silhouette of a masked man in the centre. The album is self-entitled, thus the reason for it to only have the bands name on the front. The colour of the sillouette changed from region to region, pictured left is the US cover art, whereas the UK release had a white silhouette. The image on the cover is quite provocative with most of the mans face being covered with a scarf or rag, giving the thought that he may be dangerous or unpredictable because he is trying to hide his appearance. The fact that the man looks directly at the viewer also makes it more personal and is slightly diconcerting due to his appearance.

Kasabian - Empire(2006)

The cover for the bands second album is just as unconvential as that of the first, with the band not being pictured on the front. Once again the bands name is seen in the font style that is seen on the first, and just below this can be seen the title of the album 'Empire'. There is a clear link between the album's title and its cover with the King of Clubs from a deck of cards being pictured having obvious relevance to the title Empire.

Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum(2009)

On the cover for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum the members of the band are seen for the first time on one of their albums, however they are not pictured as they would normally be dressed; the band are pictured dressed as people who would be seen in the asylum, and they are looking at themselves in a mirror. Once again the same font is used for the bands name and 'Kasabian' can clearly be seen at the bottom of the artwork; however it is not as clear or 'in the face' of the viewer as the previous two albums, this may be because they are bigger band now and people know who it is without having to read their name. The band have said that they took inspiration from Aman Duul II's cover for 'Made in Germany' which was released in 1969 and there are some clear comparisons that can be made between the two.

Below: Amon Duul II's cover for 'Made in Germany(1969) which is said to be an inspiration for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.