Sound in Color: Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill

10 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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1986, airplane, album art, Beastie Boys, Brass Monkey, color, color palette, fine art, gray, hip hop, illustration, Licensed to Ill, music, neutral, No Sleep Till Brooklyn, rap, samples, water soluble crayons, World B. Omes, You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party

The first album from the Beastie Boys, released in 1986, is still one of best hip hop albums out there today. With No Sleep Till Brooklyn, Brass Monkey, and You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party, how can it not be a success. And with the debut of this album, the Beastie Boys proved to be the kings of samples. Pretty much every track included hits from other familiar songs.

The cover art was also a favorite of mine. The illustration, by World B. Omes, of the plane is really a beautiful drawing. I guess being a fine art student in my day allows me to appreciate it much more than other people. It was done with water soluble crayons and referenced from photographic shots of an airplane. The shading, blending, and colors chosen is what really makes this eye catching. The soft grays shadowed by darker hues and the light neutrals on the cusp of being peachy really showcase the artist’s talent.

The Beastie Boys wanted to express the rock n’ roll lifestyle through this piece, which they did successfully. Once you open the sleeve, you see the plane has actually crashed. The idea is said to be inspired from reading about Led Zeppelin’s luxurious private jet. The album truly does capture a fine piece of art as well as a memorable list of songs we will all continue to love.

Color in Sound: Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

Sound in Color: Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II

20 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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album art, ambient, Aphex Twin, brown, color, color palette, grunge, light, music, orange, palette, red, Selected Ambient Works Volume II, shadow, texture, tone, warm hues, yellow

Aphex Twin was a big part of my youth. As I got older his music played roles in special memories of mine, ones I would never forget. When certain sounds find their way into your life and act as a soundtrack, you know its good. This is just one of albums that I really connected with. Just the light, airy sounds and unique combination of ambient beats took me to another place. There surely is no other to compare to Aphex Twin.

The album artwork is grungy and distorted, with the color of rust the main character. The play with light really creates a beautiful array of tone and shadow, while it goes from cream to orange and then to brown. And with the texture these colors display behind it, you just wish you could feel its beauty.

This is a nice palette to take in consideration when using warm hues in your home or event. Orange has so many shades, from tangerine to the carrot color we all know, and you can find a lot of them here. The same with yellow and brown, which also incorporates the red family. A whole lot of warmth resonates from this album, both inside and out.

Sound in Color: Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II

Sound in Color: Baroness – Yellow and Green

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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album art, artist, baroness, beige, brown, color palette, cream, earthy hues, gold, illustration, interior colors, john dyer baizley, music, palette, pink, yellow

Baroness is up again. How can I not include all their albums in these palettes? Each one is awesome. Yellow and Green is very earthy with its textured browns and golden yellows. A few pops of color help the neutrals bounce a bit as well. And as strange as the artwork seems, what beautiful line work and shading Baizley presents us. Such a super skilled and unique artist.

These soft hues are great for any interior space you want to relax in. Would be nice used in a kitchen to brighten up the space for a cheery feel or even a children’s room or bedroom for a calming, and nature inspired look.

Sound in Color: Baroness - Yellow and Green

Sound in Color: Run Return – Metro North

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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album art, blue, color, color palette, design, feminine, groove, masculine, metro north, music, palette, peaceful, pink, purple, red, run return, saturated, texture

If you want to hear music that will not only relax you, but put you in a smooth groove, Run Return is a great choice. I discovered this group years ago and fell in love. I’ve put this album on when we have guests over as well as when I am working. It just really puts me at ease with its clever beats and peaceful sound.

The color palette of the album is high saturation beauty contrasted with dark hues. A nice mix of feminine and masculine. The textures throughout the design add a lot of interest and movement as well. Look to these colors for inspiration to design a children’s room or space as well as pops of color for a wedding.

Sound in Color: Run Return - Metro North