A live album release from The Who has been criticised by fans for using generative artificial intelligence.
Listeners took to the r/TheWho subreddit and shared their disgust at the cheap-looking album cover, which appears on the band’s Live at the Oval 1971 release. The album, which landed on streaming platforms earlier this week, was roundly criticised for the artwork. Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle are featured on the cover alongside a seemingly random, generated image of a woman in sunglasses. A few parts of the image make it obvious it’s artificially generated slop, and fans are not impressed. One heartbroken fan shared a screenshot of the album and wrote: “Ew, not the AI-generated album cover.”
Most fans agreed the quality of the album cover was poor, with many suggesting it reflects badly on the material and band. One forum user wrote: “It actually was produced by Josh Townshend and Richard Barnes. How two humans came up with that image is beyond me… but they apparently did.
“I guess they ‘have the finger on the pulse of the current moment’ and some random girl in shades and a tiara seemed like the perfect symbol for a Who concert from 1971. Like, just a photo of the band on stage in 1971, where you can see them? Even a blurry picture of John standing there? Wouldn’t that be a great cover compared to this?”
Another added: “There are so many amazing posters from this period of the band’s career that they could’ve adapted and instead we get… this.” A third fumed: “The Who had some of the best artwork, posters and t-shirts, along with Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, and most bands in the late 1960s and especially in 70s. Just look in their book, Maximum R & B.
“The graphics were incredible. There was no AI, computers, or special crap we have today. All artwork was done freehand, by human imagination. Now, we have progressed to days, where no one wants to work, lack of intelligence, inspiration, and no happiness. Not impressed, Love Live at Leeds and Isle of Wight, both on DVD and records too. What happens.”
Others were disappointed by the release, though many have suggested the album itself is a strong live recording of The Who at the height of their powers. One wrote: “I can’t think of a worse insult to an artist than to call their real artwork AI.” Another added: “Great show. Had a blast listening to it last night.”
A third wrote: “Having a non-member front and centre in the artwork may not be AI, but she simply looks out of place and totally random. The Who logo in her place would have helped 100%.”
