SOLVE THE PUZZLE

Hey everyone, Coen here.

Everyone knows that CD sales are dropping. That's why all (new) musicians are embracing internet. 

I love internet. It's been a great tool for promotion and a great source of inspiration. But still... I love CD's and LP's. The fact that you're holding artwork that the band or artist carefully thought together means something to me. Every time I listen to Oasis' Be Here Now, the thing I picture in my head is the cover and the photos within. Sunshine, the band having a good time... it makes the album perfect for me.

So I thought of a way to reward people who bought the CD and LP, and maybe increase sales of the physical packages: a puzzle. I came upon Masquerade a while ago, a children's book which started a nationwide treasure hunt in England in the seventies. I liked the idea of a puzzle that is hidden in a book which would reward people who solved it, while at the same time not annoying people who aren't looking for it. So I called my brother, and together we came up with a great puzzle.

The aim of the puzzle is simple: find out what my favorite album is. It's hidden in the booklet. It's not easy. It's not Where's Waldo. It can't be Googled.

The winner, which is the first one to JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING the correct answer, wins a ton of goodies:

- The LP of the album
- A record player, to be able to listen to the album
- The second album two weeks before the release date
- A day in the studio
- Special guest to a gig or radio station (your choice)

Note: it's not enough to simply state the artist and album. You have to explain how you got to the answer. This way, we avoid guesswork ("He likes The Beatles, so it's probably... Abbey Road!"). There are three clues to the right answer, and you have to find all three. (Though, to be honest, if you know the answer, backwards puzzling is really easy.) And yes, there are red herrings. Once the correct answer has been given, I will announce the winner and put the entire solution online. 

Happy hunting!

-Coen