Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album

by Matthew Robertson

A creative juggernaut of the post-punk era, Factory Records was the catalyst behind the U.K. music explosion of the late '70s through the '90s with groups like Joy Division (soon to be the subject of an Anton Corbijn movie), New Order, and Happy Mondays leading the New Wave. At Factory, musicians and designers commingled creatively, with innovators such as Peter Saville, Den Kelly, Mark Farrow, 8VO, and Barbara Kruger elevating album covers to a new art form. The label broke further ground when it opened its own disco, the legendary Hacienda. Factory Records is the ultimate and only collection of Factory's complete graphic output, including every single piece it produced: extremely rare record sleeves, club flyers, and posters all gathered together for the first time. A must for collectors and enthusiasts, Matthew Robertson's meticulous compilation of underground ephemera is poised to introduce a new generation of music and design fans to the creative genius of Factory.

Genres: Music, Art, Design, Nonfiction, History, Art Design, Collections

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tosh]

One of the saddest things about the downloading music world is the disappearance of 'record labels.' As a youngster I used to buy music by it's record label. Factory Records has a very sophisticated graphic look to its covers and design - and really, sort of the last of the great record labels. Although that'a argumentive, because there is labels like 'Kill All Rockstars" or Subpop, which are important culturally as well as for its aesthetics. But my heart belonged to Factory, as well as Immediate Records, Motown, Stax, Rough Trade, Bomb, etc.

The Downloading world has sort of destroyed the visual aspect of 'rock n' roll or modern music. And that is something that I miss everyday - just the fact that one goes to (the late) Tower Records, not only for buying music, but in a way it is like visiting an art musuem. The real reason why I live in Los Angeles is because of Amoeba Records. That's my current (and only) visual art place that I go visit on a regular basis.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge factory records fan, so this scratches a very deep itch for me--seeing all of the graphic output of the label--it's nice to see a lot of the non Peter Saville designed stuff.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of the physical component of music. Not much to add — Peter Saville showed us how music aestheticization through graphic design is an important factor in the way we approach music in general. Album artworks and physical design will forever continue influencing our “objective” opinion on a musical piece, whether we like it or not.

[mwr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually nice, great appendix, and while a lot of the text is effusive, there are some nice insights for the non-design-initiate.

[Gadjo Sevilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iconic book on some of the best album art and high-concept design from Peter Saville.

[D.S. Mattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Factory was not just a record label. Anthony Wilson was a genius at spotting genius and also just a plain old genius. Now he is dead brokering record deals in Hell with Ian Curtis. They have decided to fuck chronology with a broomstick and order chaos how it should be ordered - chaotically. No, really folks, if you want to know the factory story beyond watching 24 hour party people come over to either Steve's or my house and thumb through this coffee table treasure map while Durutti Column or New Order twinkles/blasts from the turntables. Perhaps spliff in hand, you might wish that our current economical crash engenders such a fascinating conglomeration of music and art. But this isn't post punk Britain and myspace has ruined rock and roll. This is no reason to hang oneself, rather, it is an impetus to rediscover the roots of modern rock and dance culture. Take a chance a say you tried.

[Chris]

I really hope someone buys me this book for Christmas.

[Justin Cormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coherent exploration of design. Iconic covers from the Joy division one (amusingly the same quasar illustration was used by Tufte in his latest book) to lesser known designs, the Hacienda etc.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sort of like my bible. The Factory wares are lined up and shown off. The English Industrial Revolution recast as art/record sleeves.

[david evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Enuf said

[AK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely buy books, but...I saw this and it caught my eye--a photo book of one of my favorite record labels full of great design and Peter Saville typography.