DEPECHE MODE: SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE

Depeche Mode. Sounds of the Universe Album Cover, 2009.

Subject matter ideas:

1) Pincushion: Depeche Mode songs are usually synonymous with "pain"
2) Pick up sticks: the universe is a messy place that is inherently out of order
3) Sound emanating from the earth
4) Breaking out of boundaries
5) Songs being broadcast from a speaker (with a relevant colour assigned to each song)
6) Depeche Mode's position in the world as a band: they're not quite "in" and not quite "out" of fashion; none of the lines themselves are fully in the circle nor out

The Russian Constructivist look of the cover works very well with the industrial sounds of the album. The colour gray for the background is a great choice: it strengthens Depeche Mode's position as the moody "depressed mode" band. The only thing holding this album back is the choice of using the sticks in place of the "D" and "M" since these graphics detract from and compete with the impact of the main image. Also, the tracking is too loose. Make that kern tight, yo!