(Photo Credit: Michael La Torre)
Leon III released their third LP Something Is Trying To Change My Mind last year and it generated buzz that coincided with a slot on Weekend Two of the famed Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, TX. The album saw the psychedelic favorites continue their trend into the experimental with infusion of the sitar into their sound. The album is great to lay back and drift away to for those that are into that sort of thing.
What we'd like to talk about today is the absolute shenanigans the band pulled off with the packaging of this one. Long known for their strong visual arts game when it comes to their LP's, when we saw this one we were blown away. Something Is Trying To Change My Mind's special edition "Mind Melt" version is second only to their "Purple Nebula" edition of Antlers in Velvet. And for $5 more than the standard black edition, you're really getting a deal from the band with this.
In a previous interview with the band, they stated that the focus on the visual aspects of their albums is 100% them (for the full interview visit here.) For Something Is Trying to Change My Mind, the band worked with artist Darryl Norsen on the cover and other aspects of the LP. What stands out the most about the artwork on this one is the immense amount of color and how it pops against the black, particularly in its use on the cover.
From there, the inside cover within the gatefold and the inserts use an immense amount of color and borrow images from the front. The inside cover when spread apart is a fever dream blast of colors and images that confront the listener. Finally, the back cover juxtaposes the front with bright colors popping against a white background.
Last but certainly not least, is the "Mind Melt" LP. A visual mashup of red, purple, and blue. Done so eloquently that when scratch your head in thinking about how they achieved the feat. The LP's complexity matches the music contained within. And Leon III would not have it any other way. If you haven't checked out this version of Leon III's latest, do yourself a favor and add it to your vinyl collection!
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