CR Blog
Pet Shop Boys say Yes to Farrow
Graphic Design, Music Video / Film
Posted by Patrick Burgoyne, 27 March 2009, 11:14 Permalink Comments (41)
Farrow resumes its longstanding relationship with the Pet Shop Boys with the sleeve for the duo’s latest album, Yes.
“When we had our first meeting about this album, Neil and Chris said that this was their most ‘pop’ album in a long time and the idea of creating something very bright and colourful – as we had for their ‘Introspective’ album – really appealed to them,” says Mark Farrow. "They had also been inspired by the Gerhard Richter 4900 exhibition at the Serpentine gallery which featured panels of brightly coloured squares."
Gerhard Richter 4900 Colours: Version II, 2007, Enamel paint on Aludibond, 49 Panels, each 97 × 97 cm, La Collection de la Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la création, © 2008 Gerhard Richter
“Although the Richter paintings look stunning on a gallery wall, as an idea for a CD cover it felt a little tired and we felt we had ‘been there’," Farrow says. "The tick was obviously inspired by the album’s title ‘Yes’. Reducing the title to a symbol that encompassed the other elements the band had requested just seemed to work; it’s instant and memorable and pop. The tick is made up of eleven coloured squares, one for each track on the album. It’s made up of eleven coloured squares, one for each track on the album.”
While the standard version of the album has a white background (shown top) a limited edition double disc version comes in black.
The coloured blocks continue on the inside of the package where the tick deconstructs and both merges and clashes with photographs of the band.
In addition, there will be a highly limited edition vinyl version of the album which will consist of the album tracks split over eleven separate vinyl records, each in a coloured sleeve, all housed in a smoked Perspex case.
When correctly arranged the eleven album sleeves will allow you to make up your own tick, measuring some eight feet in length.
41 Comments
*faints*
2009-03-27 13:50:32
I was expecting Elmer The Elephant to come striding into view at any second. Very nice with or without her mind you.
2009-03-27 14:18:47
The cathedral in cologne has a new window by Gerhard Richter. With the light floating through the glas its very impressing. From now on it will always remind me of a Pet Shop Boys cover.
2009-03-27 14:35:06
The best album in years.
The best artwork in years.
2009-03-27 15:32:02
No yawning this time? :D It's amazing to see how many hidden references are there in the Boy's work. Most people only scratch the "pop" surface but it is quite exciting to learn about the deeper "art" layers too. Thanks for posting.
2009-03-27 15:35:48
12'' vinyl version seems iconic item for collection
2009-03-27 15:46:32
Yes, i love it!
2009-03-27 17:39:43
great 12" edition, dilectable, collectable
2009-03-27 18:43:53
"Yes" is a Pet Shop Boys Album how it supposed to be...
BRILLIANT.
2009-03-28 00:16:05
cool vinyl records!!!
but it´s not possible to me here in Brazil :(
2009-03-28 00:43:56
A fabulous cover design and a stunning album. The collaboration couldn't get any better.
2009-03-28 08:54:00
The album is great but I would like my money back for the bad treatment I received from the staff at the HMV signing. So far they are ignoring my complaint. They've lost a customer though.
2009-03-28 11:14:25
I say, what an album. Just love it. And guess what - my favourite track is the bonus one with Phil Oakey, This Used To Be Our Future. Great one, that! And King Of Rome? Delectable, delightful, de...lovely :D Bought tickets for Cologne yesterday. Hipp Hipp...Hurrayyyyyy.
k.
2009-03-28 12:18:50
YES, they can!
2009-03-28 15:16:46
Hello from France
Fan since 1980 ! Wonderful
Phil
2009-03-28 18:44:39
W A N T !
2009-03-28 19:17:52
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
2009-03-29 03:16:01
Hi there the new album is absolutely brilliant one of their finest to date I love all the tracks apart from Legacy thought it a little sombre for this record. My faves iclude Building A Wall , Pandemonium, King Of Rome, and also the breathtaking The Way It Used To Be.
It would seem to me Mr. Lowe and Mr.Tennant are like a fine wine ...........they get better with age keep up the great work Pet Shop Boys
2009-03-29 16:02:55
The artwork looks fantastic.
A bad bottle of wine with a corking label.
2009-03-29 17:46:03
Fantastic artwork for the album and project as a whole. The artwork evokes images of the introspective era as mentioned.
The vinyl edition looks fantastic but I am very disappointed by the ridiculous price £300? I am a devout PSB collector but I find it difficult to justify such a luxury in the current climate. Very peeved as I was looking forward to buying.
2009-03-29 20:02:28
Isn't it a bit obvious and safe?
2009-03-30 09:02:11
its the little details that make it so great. the 11 squares for the 11 tracks, and those colours, each colour sitting next to its compliment. less graphic design more product design. not such a fan of the squares over the photos though. but other than that..
2009-03-30 12:19:54
A savvy, intelligent client + world class designer = Great work
2009-03-30 15:15:09
I’m very exited to say that I’m waiting for my "Yes" album and CD single order to reach me here in South Africa. I'm also a collector and I must tell you that I’m disgusted in the price of the limited edition “Yes” vinyl edition. I must agree with Leigh Gooch. Why make it impossible to own such a nice piece of work. £300, now multiply that by more than 14 and then you’ll see my currency dilemma here in South Africa. I’ll have to pay more than 4200 Rand to own this beautiful vinyl work. It’s impossible for me to get this lovely item. Can’t they print a few here at EMI South Africa to be sold at a more affordable price!
Shame on you!!!!!
2009-03-30 15:41:15
Someone's always going to afford it while others can't. Imagine all the starving third world fans who can't even get their hands on the standard disc.
2009-03-30 16:35:21
Where can one get the vinyl version?
2009-03-30 18:26:51
Yes, the cover oozes with creativity! And that's something that does justice to this amazing duo and their 20 years of creativity. The PSB never bored us and they continue to surprise and amuse you in every aspect of their work. I LOVE them and that's all!! We need more....:)
2009-03-30 19:11:10
the designers - or somebody - messed up the copy and PSB are having to send out new artwork to all their fans.
nice one.
2009-03-31 09:11:15
Shame about the special edition of "yes".i saw it on ebay starting price of 1,000 dollars phew!all the devoted fans
will pull their hair out as these beauties will gather there!There will be any anonymous seller who would introduce to us buyers to most higher prices!sob sob
very bad news for the fans!
2009-04-01 09:51:00
When I first saw this on a poster in the London Underground I thought it was yet another great poster from the Underground themselves. Possibly raising awareness about the "good job" the Underground maintenance team are doing. Looks out for other maintenance posters using the famous Henry Beck tubeline colours!
But then I noticed it was the Petshop boys. I already love the clean and simple, yet colourful website they have and this album cover does them justice yet again!
Good job Farrow!
Michael
http://www.studio-bodhi.com
2009-04-01 11:00:30
great album and design- both bang on form. feel 21 rather than 41 having bought this
2009-04-01 16:01:44
Interesting. I wouldn't say it's lacking due to its simplicity, in fact the graphic is very strong, but it does make me wonder how long it took to knock up. The tick by itself doesn't do much for me but I like the sleeve inners.
2009-04-01 16:14:53
this is really cool stuff.
it's always nice to come across mediums where such inspiring work is converged, thanks.
check this out.
http://www.onedotzero.com/submissions
2009-04-02 12:11:35
You always learn something else with PSB!! Farrow: great artist and great work!!
2009-04-02 17:50:13
Front cover reminds me "very" much of a 1965 Peter Philips print. He was a Pop Artist too! Genius or lazy Farrow?
2009-04-07 17:56:35
Great art work, just fine !
i wish that there are so more pictures inside the case !
2009-04-17 03:10:29
Mark Farrow is a genius.
His concepts and deigns are so minimal they verge on arrogance!
2009-04-28 15:36:18
Great post, thanks!
2009-05-07 02:29:52
does anybody know the name of used font on artwork? i have no luck to find it :( i like but dont know, where i can byu it because of dont know the name..
will someone help me?
btw, i appreciate farrow's work, easy and intelligent.. perfect again, like PSB..
petrovo
2009-06-02 20:38:45
The font used for Pet Shop Boys' Yes is Futura Bold.
2009-06-27 12:16:12
Awesome artwork! I came across this whilst looking for Farrow's work and this is epic. Cheers
2010-07-02 13:57:25
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