Sleeveface [Paperback]

John Rostron (Author), Carl Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

More than 200 witty images that are as addictive as popping bubble wrap but a lot more fun.

This hilarious book immortalizes the craze that began while DJ Carl Morris was having a bit of fun in a Wales bar. Here is how Sleevefacing works: You find an old-school vinyl record sleeve with a nice head-shot of your musical icon (Elvis or David Bowie or Debbie Harry will do nicely), put the sleeve in front of your face, and strike a pose. Now get someone to snap your photo.

This growing Web phenomenon has its own Web site (sleeveface.com), Facebook presence, and thousands of inventive practitioners around the globe. Sleeveface compiles the cleverest of these images: the faux Morrisseys, wannabe Bob Dylans, and lookalike Madonnas whose posture and clothing is in perfect sync with their idols’ most classic record covers. With essays that celebrate the merits of vinyl in an age when music has gone digital, it will appeal to record collectors, music lovers across the generations, and anybody—which is to say everybody—who ever fancied him or herself a rock god.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hot!" - People Magazine (People Magazine )

About the Author

The first record John Rostron bought was the original soundtrack to Flash Gordon by Queen. Aged seven, he had no idea who Queen was, but he liked the film. He also quite liked the big bright yellow record sleeve. Hooked on music ever since, John is an artist manager, concert promoter, and record label owner.

Carl Morris, who is one day older than MTV, discovered the joys of Sleeveface as a DJ playing McCartney II by Paul McCartney. By day he runs My Kung Fu, a record label where he and colleagues listen to a terrifyingly large stack of music. His favorite song is usually the first track on side B.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Artisan (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579653790
• ISBN-13: 978-1579653798
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun for a "stocking stuffer" or gift, November 28, 2008

By 

zoeish "Curiouser and curiouser" (whidbey island, wa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sleeveface (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I was intrigued by what I read in the Vine newsletter, so I stopped by the "sleeveface" website, and was even more intrigued so I decided to order it. I found the images fun, but the book didn't offer more than what the website could. Therefore, I think it's a great gift or "stocking stuffer" to give someone as an introduction to the concept, or it's a "stand-alone" gift if they don't have easy access to a computer, but to purchase for myself after having visited the site, there was nothing really new to offer.

I do applaud the creativity and may try it myself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Clever premise without staying power, November 24, 2008

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sleeveface (Paperback)

(What's this?)

The premise for "Sleeveface" is certainly clever: combine real-life poses with those on album covers into a montage. Some of the examples here are quite good, but most will not demand a return visit, and a handful just don't quite gel. The more inventive poses, often used two or more albums covers, show how much thought and effort folks are willing to put into these photos.

Overall, the book is amusing enough to keep handy in my listening area for guests to flip through, but it didn't garner many laughs when I shared my copy with several folks at a local record show yesterday. The humor here does not have long-term staying power.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Novel Concept Where The Novelty Wears Thin, November 22, 2008

By 

K. Harris "Film aficionado" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleeveface (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I don't want to be a killjoy or a Scrooge, but I really expected this book to be a lot more whimsical and/or entertaining. "Sleeveface" is a photo book in which real people reenact their favorite LP cover (the setting, costume, etc.) and then insert said record's sleeve into the appropriate spot (over their faces). Hence, the title "Sleeveface." And while I do think the recreations can be technically well done--the very literal presentations just lacked a certain entertainment factor for me. I smiled at one picture involving a dog, but after a couple of pages--the books starts to lack any sort of surprise or creativity. After glancing through the volume once, it's hard for me to imagine going back to look at this book again.

Now, maybe I'm not the intended market (although I'm old enough to have had a vinyl collection). Maybe avid record enthusiasts will appreciate seeing their favorite LP covers brought back to attention--but, I still don't see them pulling "Sleeveface" out more than as a curiosity. So, enjoy the photos. If it sounds like your "thing"--it might be. I certainly thought it might be my "thing"--but it simply wasn't. A cute novelty idea it is. A must own book (for me) it isn't. KGHarris, 11/08.