Analyzing album covers: The very best of Fleetwood Mac.
 

Well, there is nothing much to analyze about this cover. They (they? who? Mick? the whole 5? Mick and John? M&J&L? who knows) chose a very good picture from the 70s, from the best of times for this lineup, and put it within the... let's guess.. THE CRYSTAL BALL again!!!!! (hummm.. Mick? hello?? :rolleyes: ).

But it's a cool cover anyway. Not original at all, but fine.

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/...estOf22479.jpg

I like it. It's straightforward and pays homage to a recurring theme in their previous album covers - which makes sense considering it's a compilation album.

Plus they all look fabulous in that photo.

The only thing I don't like is how it looks like god's hand holding the ball or something strange, I think they could do without the hand. The reason that the use the ball so much is because it's captivating and mysterious, and you're right it is a great picture of this great line-up.

i like the photo on the cover but hate that photo of all of them in colorful patterned clothes once you remove that outer cover.

I never really thought about who chose the pictures of them to use, but around the Unleashed tour Stevie said that choosing photos gives them yet something else to argue about, suggesting that having no new photos for Unleashed would help keep the peace. That never occurred to me. I wonder what their arguments dealing with the photos are and are the differences they encounter in choosing pictures between band members or their management?

Michele

hmm 3 thoughts here (at the moment)

elle...I absolutely love the color photos
cantgoback....I love the long white sleeved hand holding the ball...very appropriate within the same vain as FM75, Rumours, and more recently Legacy: the tribute album.
Villavic...sorry, I don't agree that it is Not original. I see your point with the repetitive images, but that is what makes some of the albums more intiguing, interesting to me.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Is just what I thought!!! The colored inside is good too...

I imagine they just fight over which picture to use because they all want the ones where they look best :lol: I can't think of a family portrait I've ever been happy with.

Ok Ok, intriguing it is, or may be. But after three album covers with the crystal ball (not counting the Legacy album) and posters, book cover (My 25 years in...), I'd say Give the ball a break, use a crystal pyramid! (just an idea :) ).

John's arm in the boxset is original. First time in an album cover. The Tango painting is original. But the ball.. intriguing.. maybe. Original? I don't see it.

Ok, I see your point as to it Not being original. I like themes and I am focusing more on the "hand" theme than the crystal ball. Although "crystal" anything has a theme within Macs history, as well.

I'm not a firm believer in Divine Intervention, but "Best of" cover with the band being within a hand represents these five very distinct and unique personalities that came together and was held intact for the better part of a decade.
Art packaging reflection: Yes
Repetitive and Unoriginal: Yes
Aesthetic pleasing and Symbolic: Yes
Coincidence: :shrug:?

I kind of like it because before, we could never really see what was in the crystal ball.

And now we know.

I'm afraid you are wrong. In the 1975 white album is clearly seen the inverted silhouettes of Mick and John within the ball.

Well, clearly if you see a big scanned picture. ;)

But albums with the crystal ball go to number 1 !