Mick Harvey Album Cover and Website Analysis

Mick Harvey’s music is simple rock. There are no modern aspects in his music such as auto-tune and synthesisers, which is reflected in this album cover. It is simple in the sense that there is no reference to technology on it. The centre of attention on the cover is a glass which is only half full which already asks the question of the person looking at it if it is half full or half empty. The person looking at it must decide whether this is a positive or negative image.

The name of the album ‘Intoxicated Man’ also links to the image of the glass which could be filed with alcohol. Mick Harvey is looking intently at the glass suggesting his obsession with the drink and therefore his intoxication. The whole cover is tinted green. It is like a different way of seeing the world like a person would when they are drunk.

The red in the background gives an atmosphere of either danger or romance. This could be his love for the drink or the danger and violence that can come with being drunk.

The loopy font type of the album title ‘Intoxicated Man’ also gives the impression of drunkenness and not being able to write straight. The colour red links to the image with the red in the background suggesting love or danger. Mick Harvey’s name is written at the top in large, bold, green writing. This is the first text that stands out, drawing a focus to the artist. Like the image, the text is in green suggesting intoxication.

On the black borders where the text is written there are sketches associated with alcohol such as bottles and glasses, linking to the title of the album.

The website, like the artist’s music is simple. The first aspect that is noticed is the large image of his most recent album in the centre of the page, emphasised by the black background which contrasts with the colours of the album cover. Above it are links to other pages on the website, which coloured in brown also stand out from the black background.

        The links in brown include: about Mick, News, Releases, Photos/Videos and a Shop.

        Other links on the page include: Play Music, Mick’s MySpace, Mute Records