They said, in twenty-five words or less tell us why you should win Brandon Flowers' solo album, Flamingo. I did. And I won. I don't remember what I wrote, but it wasn't, "OMG LOLZ! His so hawt [sic]" which is what other people wrote, and, deservedly lost.
The album arrived, along with a handwritten note from someone at the FOX congratulating me. Thanks handwritten note-writing computer machine, you write in such a human-like way. Where can I get one of you from? Preferably for cheap.
Well, I haven't actually listened to the whole thing yet, though I do like track 2 ('Only The Young'), but what I liked immediately was the cardboard cover. Now, I know the planet is dying and everything and we should cut down on using paper superfluously but it felt like something I'd want to keep. Which (segue) brings me to speak of someone of whom I'm a big fan, and who has actually talked about this in the past -- Albert Hammond Jr. (rhythm/occasional lead guitarist for The Strokes). He released his solo album Yours To Keep a few years ago and it came in a lovely cardboard box with hand drawings and he said, emphatically, this is 'yours to keep'.
And, in the age of digital downloads and iTunes soaring popularity - among niche music fans, I'm sure this forethought makes a difference. It certainly does to me. It won't make the music sound better, but in JB Hi-Fi it sure makes your album stand apart from the rest. One may actually want to keep.*
*NB: Bands who are environmentally-friendly (John Butler Trio comes to mind) can only really do this only on recycled paper, otherwise there's an inherent conflict of interest.
P.S. The other way, is to just make incredible video clips, a la OK GO! style. Here's their latest:
