Rock as a minor art #4

This is the cover of the fabulous Flamin Groovies' "Teenage Head" album. It was released in 72 and was for me the best album of the decade. In those vinyl times the cover shot was as important as the music. Here is a perfect example, as this picture is as cleverly composed as an old master painting.
One can imagine transverse lines guiding the eye to the crucial element, the plexyglass see-through Dan Armstrong guitar which Cyril Jordan holds on his lap. The music on that album is a true tribute to that awesome instrument (so difficult to keep tuned...). then notice the quasi Vermeerian background, those nuances of greenish grey which unfortunately were less obvious on the tiny cd cover. Same difference as between an actual painting and a postcard reproduction.The reddish colours spread over the scene is an indication of difficult love. Inside that New York city recording studio, the Flamin Groovies are looking at the outer world the same way as Van Eyck's "Arnolfinis portrait" characters.A certain way to tell us life is a becoming process.

Tenage Head, originally uploaded by zapcomix.

Of course listening to the record is not as important once the fascination for the cover has started to work on you. Though from "teenage Head" to "yesterday's numbers" the songs are flawless and out of time...