Last week we highlighted concert halls from our archive that heighten musical experience. Surprisingly, a hot topic of conversation at the AIA convention in Miami was a TED talk given by David Byrne. Byrne, as you may know, was the lead signer of a little group called Talking Heads.

Fans may also know that Byrne attended RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) and titled the second Talking Heads album More Songs about Buildings and Food (best album ever). Additionally — as if you are not convinced — Byrne retrofitted the Battery Maritime Building in New York with devices that produced sounds from the existing pipes, metal beams and pillars—perhaps creating the first building as musical instrument.

In his talk, “How Architecture Helped Music Evolve,” he describes the history of musical spaces, how they evolved and were inspired by the rhythm and tones of their users. It starts with Africa, where there was very little architecture in the conversation, goes to cathedrals, then to Bach, then to the CBGB, then to Arena-rock, then to car stereo-rap, then your private MP3 player.

Most tunes work “perfectly,” he repeats, with their venue—even U2’s slow-melody, poor-sound quality arena music. “They did the best that they could.”

While he alludes to connections between musicians and architecture, the most interesting question he asks is, “What spaces do musicians picture when they are making their music?” What is the intended venue? While we may never know, a clue could come in the form of the architecture and places sometimes represented on album covers. Though many times designed by others, these both mimic the music and prove visual clues about what the music is like.

Here are some examples of the most architecture-y album covers, mostly from the past decade:

Deltron 3030 (Self-Titled) [75 ARK, 2000]

It seems the place envisioned by this hip-hop group is a dystopian future; or a rip-off of the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair Perisphere.

Rocket Scientists, Brutal Architecture [Kinesis, 1997]

Their Myspace page lists their musical influences as Yes, King Crimson, The Beatles, and Rush. But this cover reminds us that when architecture gets brutal, get ready to rock!

David Byrne and Brian Eno, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today [Todo Mundo, 2008]

At first, I thought this album cover (from Mr. Talking Head himself) was from the video game The Sims, but that has yet to be confirmed. I can say that it was designed by Stefan Sagmeister, among others, evoking a digitized “home.”

The Streets, Original Pirate Material [Vice, 2002]

Mike Skinner tells stories about Playstations, hanging out with friends, and other unsavory things in his debut album. The imposing but twinkling residential tower,  Kestrel House on City Road in London was shot by German photographer Rut Blees, who titled this pic Towering Inferno.

Jason Moran, Artist in Residence [Blue Note, 2006]

The acclaimed jazz-pianist Jason Moran released Artist in Residence in 2006 on the legendary Blue Note Records, but the album cover flexes his architectural muscles. Is that Herzog & de Meuron’s Walker Art Center jumbled-up in a metallic hodge-podge? As it turns out, he actually was an artist in residence there, inspiring this cover.

Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot [Nonesuch, 2002]

Betrand Goldberg had humanist notions for Marina City in Chicago—no long hallways, expansive outdoor space, great views and the works. However, to outsiders, the building became known as the “corncob buildings.” Or as the towers gracing the cover of local band Wilco’s fourth studio album.

Day26 (Self-Titled) [Bad Boy, 2006]

Picked by P.Diddy from MTV’s “Making the Band 4,” Day26 resides in a heavenly white room, its clarity and symmetrical columns reflecting their R&B vision.

Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti [Atlantic, 1975]

With the equally iconic Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique, Peter Corriston’s photographs of New York (this one is #96-98 St. Mark’s Place) document the city in all of its gritty glory. Another parallel: The Streets’ Original Pirate Material.

Bibio, Ambivalence Avenue [Warp, 2009]

The contrasting folk/electronic sounds of Bibio are represented by an equally dual nature graphic cover. Is this Ambivalence Avenue? The street and the man standing aren’t very colorful.

Esa-Pekka Salonen, Wing on Wing [Deutshe Grammophon, 2005]

Live albums don’t really count, but Wing on Wing showcases Gehry’s Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles front and center—almost overpowering all else, including the intense look from Salonen.

Tell us: what did we miss?

by Jim Wegener

posted in top ten

tagged Bibio, Brian Eno, Brutal Architecture, David Byrne, Deltron 3030, frank gehry, Jason Moran, Led Zeppelin, TED, The Streets, U2, Walker Center, Wilco

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