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Weekend Rock List: Favorite Album Covers

10/19/07, 3:15 pm EST


Here’s a sad fact: Whenever we glance at our favorite album art, it’s usually on an iPod screen at the whopping size of 4×4 centimeters. Once upon a time, an album cover was a canvas. We’re not the first to lament the fading role of album-cover design, but it’s never a bad time to pay respect to a disappearing art form. This weekend, flip through your record collection and hit us up with your favorite album covers (we’ll be doing the same), but for now, chew on these:

Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Sonic Youth, Goo
Pink Floyd, Animals
Nirvana, Nevermind
Prince, Purple Rain


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Comments

ankhman69 | 5/30/2008, 1:58 pm EST

Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti
Period - Exclamation Point

Rachel | 10/22/2007, 7:19 pm EST

Yenrac,

I stand corrected.

Also, I forgot to mention the artwork on Neko Case’s “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.”

Nello | 10/22/2007, 7:02 pm EST

Van Halen: Fair Warning. The album cover is actually a small sample of Canadian artist William Kurelek’s painting “The Maze”. Check it out!

mark eee | 10/22/2007, 6:37 pm EST

In addition to Appetitie, I liked the Use Your Illusion cover(s).

Any of the Iron Maiden covers

Scorpions “Blackout”

April Wine “Nature of the Beast”

Def Leppard - both Hysteria and Pyromania

Journey “Escape”

Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here”

Black Sabbath - Heaven & Hell

Boston - Debut

Zep - Physical Graffiti

Stones - Sticky Fingers (only if it has the real zipper)

The Who - Who’s Next

Just a few, but long lists are boring

Rockstar70 | 10/22/2007, 6:16 pm EST

Led Zepplin II
Deep Purple-BURN

Tabula Rasa '08 | 10/22/2007, 6:10 pm EST

Van Halen: “1984″
Candlebox: “Lucy”
Goo Goo Dolls: “Superstar Carwash”

Off-Topic | 10/22/2007, 5:22 pm EST

Tool- Anema
Soundgarden- Superunknown
RHCP- Californication
Pearl Jam- Yield, Binaural, and Avacado

Green Teeth | 10/22/2007, 5:17 pm EST

J. Geils Band - Nightmares (and Other Tales From the Vinyl Jungle)

New Peter Wolf disc coming in January boys and girls.

=bg= | 10/22/2007, 4:48 pm EST

Chicago X

Donomite | 10/22/2007, 4:37 pm EST

Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers
The Beatles: Sgt. Peppers
The Clash: London Calling
Nirvana: Nevermind
Nirvana: In Utero
Any Rage Against the Machine Cover
Modest Mouse: Good News…
Modest Mouse: The Moon & Antarctica
Thom Yorke: The Eraser
David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust
Prince: Sign O’ the Times

Power Universal | 10/22/2007, 4:34 pm EST

THE STROKES-IS THIS IT (UK version)

lassie | 10/22/2007, 4:33 pm EST

vs.

pearl jam

EEP IS RIGHT | 10/22/2007, 4:30 pm EST

depends what this list is trying to acccomplish. if we are talking all time greatest album covers hardly any will be new (for the simple reason that artwork could have so much detail, plus the whole gatefold thing.) Consequently, nearly all the best ones have been mentioned:

nearly all Beatles, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Doors, Cream, Rolling Stones. These have all been mentioned…but some others:

Love- Forever Changes
Elton John- Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

If we are only looking at the FRONT covers then we may have a few newer albums included:

Flaming Lips- “Yoshimi battles the pink robots” and “at war with the mystics”; kudos to Wayne Coyne for his fanastic paintings

Radiohead- all albums. I forget the name of the artists they work with…but if Nigel Goodrich is the lost member of Radiohead, then this guy is #2.

Aracde fire- Funeral; great craft…the thing is a beautiful thing to hold…I have some 7 inches from those sessions
(wkae-up specifically) that I still haven’t opened because the thing looks too damn good to listen to.

REALLY looking forward to the artwork in the discbox for “In Rainbows” Could be something really special.

kate | 10/22/2007, 2:52 pm EST

pink floyd’s “wish you were here”

jackboy967 + Jada | 10/22/2007, 2:49 pm EST

Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon collie…
Radiohead: OK Computer
Bjork: Homogenic
Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill

Immerstahl | 10/22/2007, 2:45 pm EST

The Low Spark of High-heeled Boys-Traffic
Sticky Fingers-The Stones
Kill Em’ All-Metallica
Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath
Sad Wings Of Destiny-Judas Priest
Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd
Avalon-Roxy Music
Lovedrive/Animal Magnetism-The Scorpions
Who’s Next-The Who
Superunkown-Sound Garden
News Of The World-Queen
Weekend Warriors-Ted Nugent
Rumors-Fleetwood Mac
Jailbreak-Thin Lizzy

Patrick Naugle | 10/22/2007, 2:12 pm EST

Always loved Jackson Browne’s “Late for the Sky” album cover. It evokes something nostaligc in me…

Yenrac | 10/22/2007, 1:54 pm EST

Rachel,

The Bloody cover “Butcher Album” was for Yesterday and Today, it was replaced with the Beatles sitting on (and for Paul) in a trunk. When you flip the album on it’s side, the trunk supposedly looks close to a coffin and is another one of the many “Paul is Dead” sites.

The “White Album” was originally intended to be called A Doll’s House, featuring a more psychedellic drawing kind of an updated Revolver cover (A little better IMHO than Revolver, but not a great cover).

The Bealtes changed it to just the white album based on a suggestion by the artist that Paul and the group totally got into. The group was so enamoured with the minimalistic idea that htey wanted the album to have indefinately the version number sold on each individual copy. I believe the press limited this to the first 100,000 copies.

Tropico | 10/22/2007, 1:43 pm EST

“Get Nervous” Pat Benatar

Devodan | 10/22/2007, 1:29 pm EST

Hawkwind - Space Ritual

Devodan | 10/22/2007, 1:29 pm EST

Hawkwind - Space Ritual

Rachel | 10/22/2007, 12:24 pm EST

Yenrac, The White Album is not a cool minimalist cover. It is actually a cover-up. As many people know, The Beatles’ original cover starred them in butcher outfits with bloody baby body parts around them. Amidst much controversy, the white cover was placed over many albums. Some of the originals are still floating around out there.

And as for my picks: Jane’s Addiction’s “Nothing’s Shocking” and “Ritual de lo Habitual” before it got its brown cover-up. The original album art featured a sculpture of a man with breasts (one of Perry Farrell’s fantasies) flanked on either side by two women.

Rachel | 10/22/2007, 12:22 pm EST

Yenrac, The White Album is not a cool minimalist cover. It is actually a cover-up. As many people know, The Beatles’ original cover starred them in butcher outfits with bloody baby body parts around them. Amidst much controversy, the white cover was placed over many albums. Some of the originals are still floating around out there.

Joey | 10/22/2007, 11:43 am EST

Metallica: Master of Puppets
Black Sabbath: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Megadeth: Peace Sells
KoRn: KoRn (that one is just creepy and is a great cover that truly fits the music)
Pantera: Vulgar Display of Power (the dude on the cover is really getting punched, ultra realism)
Tool: Aenima or Lateralous

whatever | 10/22/2007, 10:47 am EST

You’re kidding me. You’re actually lamenting the death of the album cover while being one of the biggest proponents of music downloading?! Hey, ever step foot into an independent record store and feel REALLY guilty for the fact that you’re pretty much putting the little guy, who has knowledge out his ass and has exposed you to so much, out of business? What about the people, like me, that work for them? Whatever. I’m not some traditionalist luddite or anything, but I really do think that, in all this technological revolution, the baby is being thrown out with the bathwater.

Yenrac | 10/22/2007, 10:34 am EST

Just wanted to add that I think the Beatles’ Revolver is a god-awful album cover. I know it’s won a few awards (or was nominated in its day) but I really think that’s the worst of the Beatles’ album covers, even if on many days Revolver features their best music…….

Yenrac | 10/22/2007, 10:30 am EST

the Beatles’ often cited, but deservedly so best quadrilogy of Abbey Road-Sgt Pepper’s-With the Beatles-Rubber Soul are all fantastic as is the minimalistic “White Album”.

I second the Ryan Adams’ “Easy Tiger” reference, that’s a great album cover. The White Stripes’ Elephant is also an awesome album cover.

It’s funny that modern albums would even bother with great album covers in the digital age (even CD age was a bit funny), this year has seen a few cool covers. PJ Harvey’s White Chalk is an awesome album cover, as is Spoon’s Ga ga ga ga ga.

My favorite cover this year is Suzanne Vega’s Beauty and Crime. I haven’t heard the record, but the cover is very cool, so cool in fact that I expect I’ll buy the record soon.

Misguided Texan | 10/22/2007, 10:28 am EST

This Desert Life: Counting Crows
Bakesale: Sebadoh
Rage Againt the Machine: Rage Against the Machine
The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein:Parliament

Scott | 10/22/2007, 10:01 am EST

The entire gatefold album (front, back, inside) of Cheap Trick’s Dream Police.

David | 10/22/2007, 9:29 am EST

How about Fleetwood Mac’s “Mirage” cover? Weird little love triangle.

Ballot Box Bullshit | 10/22/2007, 8:19 am EST

Get a life, really!!!

Morrison Piss And Vinegar | 10/22/2007, 8:18 am EST

YOU’RE ALL A BUNCH OF FUCKIN’ SLAVES!!!!

Anonymous | 10/22/2007, 7:56 am EST

Tool-Lateralus
GZA-Liquid Swords
Mastodon-Leviathan
Pink Floyd-The Dark Side of the Moon
The Mars Volta-De-Loused in the Comatorium
Metallica-Master of Puppets
Led Zeppelin-Houses of the Holy
The Beatles-Revolver

Carlos | 10/22/2007, 7:32 am EST

Santana - Lotus
Beatles Sgt. Pepper & Abbey Road
Rolling Stones - Their Satanic Majesties Request (original 3D)
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Led Zeppelin - Presence
Wishbone Ash - Argus
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Greenslade - Greenslade

J-Mike | 10/22/2007, 5:40 am EST

The Who - Tommy
The Beatles - Revolver
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magic
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground (cover by Andy Wharrol)
the Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electrical Ladyland
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust
The Stooges - funhouse

Cravens | 10/22/2007, 4:22 am EST

Oh.. and come to think of it:

Thom Yorke - The Eraser,

it’s the best cover for an album, regardless of what you think of the music. Well, to my tastes that is.

And while I’m at it, I could mention:

Under Byen - “Samme Stof Som Stof”

R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

Beastie Boys - License to Ill

King Crisom - In The Court With ..

The The - Dusk

.. And the album cover that is most coherent with its content is:

Madonna - Like A Virgin

Chi David | 10/22/2007, 4:14 am EST

In no particular order
Robert Wyatt- Ruth is Stranger Than Richard
Brian Eno- Another Green World
The Residents- Duck Stab
Ween- The Mollusk (Also love the 12 Golden Country Greats cover)

Silence Speaks Volumes | 10/22/2007, 3:06 am EST

Waiting For The Sun
Strange Days
Morrison Hotel

Dana Doll | 10/22/2007, 2:39 am EST

Beatles VI- No Reply

Wilko | 10/22/2007, 2:36 am EST

Porno for Pyros- Good God’s Urge.
Fear Factory- Demanufacture

Mili | 10/22/2007, 1:33 am EST

Well,I like GN’R’s LIES and of course Appetite for destruction’s first and second cover.But I also like their Use Your Illusion I and II covers - I think they’re very original and interesting.They shows the art in the albums.
I also prefer Yngwie Malmsteen’s Trilogy cover - it’s cool!
But Rainbow’s Straight between the eyes is just…ass kicking! &)

RW | 10/22/2007, 1:21 am EST

1984 Van Halen

200 from 1 | 10/22/2007, 1:10 am EST

Phantom of The Paradise Soundtrack.

WAR ALL THE TIME | 10/22/2007, 1:08 am EST

Wow, not one Doors: Doors. Shocking.

BTW, they ALWAYS had great covers, but DOORS I is their best and is THE BEST!

less than 1% | 10/22/2007, 1:06 am EST

Too Good To Be True: Pinebender
(includes grid paper and a pencil inside the jewel case to design your own cd cover)

The Information: Beck
(create the cd cover yourself with the random stickers enclosed)

WAR ALL THE TIME | 10/22/2007, 1:02 am EST

The Doors: The Doors.

Simple, DARK. The Greatest cover, ever. If you don’t believe me, look at it again!

Bill Buffington | 10/22/2007, 12:57 am EST

Hendrix - Are You Experienced?

Electric Ladyland

Beatles - Sgt Peppers
White Album
Abbey Road
Rubber Soul
Yellow Submarine
Stones - 12 by 5

WAR ALL THE TIME | 10/22/2007, 12:51 am EST

Paul Williams Someday Man

People should know about this amazing little (big) man!!!

Anonymous | 10/22/2007, 12:49 am EST

Apollo 18 by They Might Be Giants
Leviathan by Mastodon
IM The Supervisor by Infected Mushroom
The Mouse And The Mask by Dangerdoom

WAR ALL THE TIME | 10/22/2007, 12:47 am EST

Linda Ronstadt Livin’ In The USA

and The Very Best Of Linda Ronstadt

Without question the most beautiful woman on the planet at one point

danny | 10/22/2007, 12:47 am EST

ok computer, melon collie

Phantom of the Shopping Mall | 10/22/2007, 12:38 am EST

Deepest Purple The Very Best Of Deep Purple (very purple!)

1st Pat Benetar album
1st Blondie Album

everybody’s into graphics a lot of times band pictures are better.

I like Purple Rain (was on VH1 last night. i forgot how cool prince was in the 80s before he started cutting the seats out his pants!)

ronnie montrose | 10/22/2007, 12:34 am EST

Oasis- Be Here Now (blur sucks)

Who Who’s Next
Quadrophenia
Garage Days Re Re Visited (simple madness Only good thing with Newstead)

ronnie montrose | 10/22/2007, 12:31 am EST

Def Leppard On Through The Night
(when they rocked!)

Frank Zappa Joe’s Garage

Ride The Lightning
Master Of Puppets

(then Cliff died and so did the band and their album covers)

Dana Doll | 10/22/2007, 12:22 am EST

You look familiar. Didn’t you say that befo . . . oh, whatever, nevermind.

Fragile Yes

Band Of Gypsies Live
(Very Psychedelic)

Jackson 5-Joyful Jukebox Music
(Michael was cute as a human being)

cd | 10/22/2007, 12:11 am EST

1. sgt peppers, they were the masters at making clever album covers
2. vekvet underground and nico- i love the story behind it, they wanted to poke fun at the stupid fad of smoking bananna peels to get high..
3. abbey road- simple and perfect
4. nirvana nevermind- made me look twice when i first saw it

Pope Benedict XIV | 10/21/2007, 10:57 pm EST

Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here
The Clash- London Calling
The Beatles- Revolver
Neutral Milk Hotel- In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
Elliott Smith- From A Basement on The Hill
Menonmena- Friend And Foe (CD version)

Charles Crossley, Jr. | 10/21/2007, 10:18 pm EST

“We’re Only In It For The Money” by Frank Zappa/The Mothers of Invention.

Steve | 10/21/2007, 9:40 pm EST

David Bowie- Aladdinsane
The Doors- Strange Days
Beck- Odelay

lovethatjoker | 10/21/2007, 8:56 pm EST

My favs:
the clash- london calling
the beatles- white album
the libertines- s/t
arctic monkeys- whatever people…
green day- american idiot
rancid- life won’t wait
the clash- sandinista!
beck- sea change
dead kennedys- fresh fruit for rotting vegetables
the cure- pornography
joy division- unknown pleasures

freddie | 10/21/2007, 8:52 pm EST

all those ohio players lps with the large breasts

thewufs | 10/21/2007, 8:51 pm EST

Nirvana - Incesticide (if this is what Kurt saw every time he closed his eyes, I can almost understand why he would want to die. Exquisitely horrific.)

Prince - Sign O’ The Times

R.E.M. - Murmur

Black Flag - Damaged

The Clash - London Calling (way too obvious, but it’s just perfect.)

Beck - Mellow Gold (Everybody seems to forget, but Beck used to be morbid and funnier than shit - now he’s just morbid and consummately professional. Really, which do you prefer?)

Pulp - This Is Hardcore

The Stooges - Funhouse

Scarface - Mr. Scarface is Back (I don’t have this album, but I just saw the cover recently and I’m wondering how they were ever able to display this in stores. Kick ass.)

Slayer - South of Heaven (Skulls always look awesome on album covers, but nothing beats this picture. Like the Scarface and Nirvana covers, it’s actually, genuinely frightening.)

Butthole Surfers - Hairway to Steven (It’s really hard to come up with a photo that can actually crack you up. This group has pulled it off a few times.)

renegade | 10/21/2007, 8:42 pm EST

Gn’R - Appetite For Destruction (the original artwork of the robot rape scene by Robert Wiliams)

icky | 10/21/2007, 8:25 pm EST

Sticky fingers was awesome because it had the zipper that went down.

spence | 10/21/2007, 8:15 pm EST

“Abbey Road” is simple, beautiful, and as iconic as any other cover shot.

Honorable mention goes to Randy Newman’s “Little Criminals.” It’s a picture of a lumpy, frowning Randy, with ill-fitting sunglasses, standing on a hilariously ugly L.A. freeway overpass. It’s the anti-”Abbey Road” cover.

Nirvana Nevermind | 10/21/2007, 7:49 pm EST

BUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPP!!!!!! !

DAVID | 10/21/2007, 7:20 pm EST

COLDPLAY - RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD.
The Shins - Their newest thing.
Green Day - Dookie.

The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream.

DAVID | 10/21/2007, 7:16 pm EST

Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation

jdsjfdkjdzj | 10/21/2007, 7:03 pm EST

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

jdsjfdkjdzj | 10/21/2007, 7:03 pm EST

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

Alassinsane1972 | 10/21/2007, 6:15 pm EST

i DO love the Velvets and Nico cover, even though it’s been mentioned around 50 times. ok, i’m not going to give a list, but one really cool album cover is Bowie’s Diamond Dogs. very cool and creepy, and just awesome. yeah, i LOVE Bowie (as you can tell from the username!)!

Anonymous | 10/21/2007, 6:05 pm EST

velvet underground- the velvet underground and nico

Dana A New York Doll | 10/21/2007, 6:02 pm EST

RE: o’r'th’hills | 10/21/2007, 4:10 am EST

You’ve been very busy this weekend, I see. Hmmm . . . Why don’t you just vote for every single album created since the beginning of time, while you’re at it!!!

Dana A New York Doll | 10/21/2007, 6:00 pm EST

Led Zeppelin Physical Graffitti
The Yes Album
Dark Side Of the Moon

If Nevermind hits the top spot, it will be absolute ballot box bullshit (mmm hmmm)!!!

Steel Dragon | 10/21/2007, 5:51 pm EST

Beatles - Sgt. Peppers
Beatles - Revolver
Beatles - Abbey Road
Rolling Stones - Tattoo You
Grateful Dead - Dead Set
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Metallica - And Justice for all
Motley Crue - Theater of pain
Ozzy - Blizzard of Oz
U2 - Joshua Tree
The Clash - London Calling
Green Day - American Idiot
Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (original)

El Cid | 10/21/2007, 5:13 pm EST

Frank Zappa - Weasels Ripped My Flesh

Eddy | 10/21/2007, 5:02 pm EST

Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation

U2- War

The Cars- The Cars

Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run

James Taylor- Sweet Baby James

And covers that show that album artwork is not dead…

Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say
I Am, I’m Not

Almost any Belle and Sebastian cover

The Long Blondes - Someone to Drive You Home

The White Stripes- Icky Thump most recently, or any other cover by them

Radiohead- OK Computer, or really any other album by them

60% cheating, lies, and voter | 10/21/2007, 4:56 pm EST

fraud:

Pet Sounds The Beach Boys

me | 10/21/2007, 4:32 pm EST

gnarls barkley st elsewhere

Chuck | 10/21/2007, 4:13 pm EST

I’LL SKIP THE OBVIOUS ONES…

I’M A BIG FAN OF ILUSTRATED COVERS. BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY. HERE ARE SOME MORE MODERN ONES I HAVEN’T SEEN MENTIONED MUCH:
1.)ASOBI SEKSU - CITRUS
2.)BECK - SEA CHANCE the cover is one of the main reasons i checked it out. matches the mood perfectly.
3.) BETA BAND - HEROES TO ZEROES
4.) BJORK - VOLTA she’s had a lotta good ones but i think i like this the best it’s hilarious.
5.)COLDPLAY - RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD. surprised nobody’s mentioned this
6.)DEFTONES - AROUND THE FUR. nice cleavage shot haha
7.)DISSOCIATIVES - DISSOCIATIVES
8.)DO AS INFINITY - TRUE SONG a japanese group of which i bought the album in japan simply because of the cover. turned out to be real good.
9.) ELUVIUM - COPIA a great recent one.
10.)GORILLAZ - DEMON DAYS i’m really surprised i’ve not seen this one mentioned. brilliant illustration.
11.)POWEDERFING ER - ODYESSEY NUMBER 5
12.)RADIOHEAD - COMLAG EP of all theirs, i like this one best
13.)SHINS - CHUTES TOO NARROW
14.)SIGUR ROS - AGAETIS BYRUN
15.)SILVERCHAIR - NEON BALLROOM
16.)SMASHING PUMPKINS - MELON COLLIE AND INFINITE SADNESS
17.) TAHITI 80 - PUZZLE

TS | 10/21/2007, 3:28 pm EST

Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
Bob Dylan- Blonde on Blonde
Tom Waits - Raindogs
Nirvana - Nevermind
The White Stripes - Elephant
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s…
Neil Young - On The Beach
Chili Peppers - Californication

I know you guys are on a Prince high right now, for some unexplicable reason, but that cover of Purple Rain at the top of this page represents everything wrong with the 80s. It is bombast, over produced, and too ‘posed’, just like the music contained on the album. It will no doubt be included on the list, as it seems you have already made up your minds about it, but honestly, it makes my skin crawl.

max_webber | 10/21/2007, 3:17 pm EST

btw beach boys’ pet sounds is a perfect album but very bad album cover

max_webber | 10/21/2007, 3:16 pm EST

my top 10:

10. korn’s issues
9. guns n’ roses’ appetite for destruction original banned cover
8. jane’s addiction’s nothing’s shocking
7. the who sells out
6. velvet undergound and nico
5. supertramp’s breakfast in america
4. santana’s abraxas
3. the rolling stone’s exile on main street
2. cream’s disraeli gears
1. the beatles’ sgt. pepper…

Gonzo Serj | 10/21/2007, 2:32 pm EST

Pink Floyd - Meddle. When I realized the cover was a closeup of an ear it drew a nice parallel–the music is so intense you have to step back to absorb it.

Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger

King Crimson - Larks’ Tongues in Aspic; also Lizard

The Who - Who’s Next

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Stone Temple Pilots - Thank You

A Perfect Circle - Mer de Noms

Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf

The Doors - Waiting for the Sun

ElectricWarrior | 10/21/2007, 1:23 pm EST

Powerslave- Iron Maiden
Quadrophenia- The Who
Demons & Wizards- Uriah Heep
Disraeli Gears- Cream
Operation Mindcrime- Queensryche

scottywama | 10/21/2007, 1:03 pm EST

Radiohead- Kid A
Deerhunter- Cryptograms
My Bloody valentine- Loveless
Ride- Nowhere
Massive Attack- Mezzanine
Neutral Milk Hotel- In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

Schram | 10/21/2007, 12:33 pm EST

Just because everyone keeps making the same mistake, the cover of London Calling is a picture of Paul Simonon at a 1979 concert in New York where he smashed his Fender Bass, not guitar.
—Tom

anycolouryoulike | 10/21/2007, 12:13 pm EST

the wall-pink floyd

Lennox | 10/21/2007, 12:11 pm EST

spinal tap - the black album

anycolouryoulike | 10/21/2007, 12:09 pm EST

regatta de blanc-The Police

Sammy | 10/21/2007, 11:22 am EST

The Smiths- Meat is Murder
THE clash - London Calling
Arctic Monkeys’s first album

Erin | 10/21/2007, 11:19 am EST

Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt- John Frusciante

Smile From The Streets You Hold-John Frusciante

Sly and the Family Stone- Fresh

War-U2

The Madcap Laughs- Syd Barrett

Cut- The Slits

S/T- The Clash (UK OR US versions)

Raw Power- The Stooges

Strange Days- The Doors

Abbey Road- The Beatles

Two Virgins -John and Yoko

Yesh! | 10/21/2007, 11:18 am EST

Sgt. Peppers - probably the most important, groundbreaking in its time
White Album - opposite of the above
Born to Run
Evil Empire
War

what's that smell? | 10/21/2007, 10:35 am EST

King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King

The Clash - London Calling

Miles Davis -Bitches Brew

Big Brother and Holding Company -Cheap Thrills

..and pretty much any album by any heavy metal band that ever existed -and here’s a general rule of thumb to go by: the cheesier the band, the cooler the album cover will be. Do we all agree?
-(okay, I can’t explain Iron Maiden, they both rock AND have cool album artwork.)

pinballwizard | 10/21/2007, 9:49 am EST

Synchronicity-The Police
Zenyatta Mondatta-The Police

Danny mac | 10/21/2007, 9:42 am EST

Live after Death - Iron Maiden

Really you can pick out just about any cover from these guys, they’re all great.

Peter S. | 10/21/2007, 8:12 am EST

“So Damn Happy” Loudon Wainwright III

Bobgeorge2 | 10/21/2007, 7:54 am EST

Santana-Santana, Abraxas, & Santana III
Sly & The Family Stone-There’s A Riot Goin’ On
The Who-The Who Sells Out, Who’s Next & Who By Numbers
Big Brother & The Holding Company-Cheap Thrills
The Rolling Stones-Her Satanic Majesty’s Request, Hot Rocks & Some Girls
X-Los Angeles
Outkast-Aquemini
Isaac Hayes-Hot Buttered Soul
Marvin Gaye-What’s Going On, I Want You & Here, My Dear
Joni Mitchell-Blue
Jane’s Addiction-Nothing’s Shocking & Ritual De Lo Habitual
Earth, Wind & Fire- All ‘N’ All
Bob Marley & The Wailers-Catch A Fire
Peter Tosh-Legalize It
Velvet Underground-V.U. & Nico
Talking Heads- More Songs About Buildings And Food
New Order-Power, Corruption & LIes
Jimi Hendrix-Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love & Band Of Gypsys
Common-Like Water For Chocolate
Ohio Players-Fire & Honey
My Bloddy Valentine-Loveless
The Verve-A Storm In Heaven
Led Zeppelin-Led Zeppelin I & Houses Of The Holy

dumbledore | 10/21/2007, 5:14 am EST

madonna - true blue

o'r'th'hills | 10/21/2007, 4:10 am EST

bjork
:post
:homogenic
:ver spertine
:volta

alice in chains
:dirt
:jar of flies

beck
:midnite vultures
(funky packaging)

the tragically hip
:fully completely

radiohead
:kid a
:hail to the thief

rhcp
:blood sugar sex magik

menomena
:friend and foe

jane’s addiction
:kettle whistle

andrew | 10/21/2007, 3:45 am EST

the stooges - fun house

beck - odelay

lou reed - transformer

ween - freedom of 76

the beatles - abbey road

Jack | 10/21/2007, 2:28 am EST

“Green Mind”-Dinosaur Jr.
“Reign In Blood”-Slayer
“Reckoning”-R.E .M.
“Moving Pictures”-Rush
“In Utero”-Nirvana
“Yield”-Pearl Jam
“Daydream Nation”-Sonic Youth
“Figure 8″-Elliott Smith
“Dig Me Out”-Sleater Kinney
“Rid of Me”-PJ Harvey
“Abbey Road”-The Beatles
“Beggars Banquet”-The Rolling Stones
“Is This It”-The Strokes
“Antics”-Interpol
“F ever to Tell”-Yeah Yeah Yeahs
“Chutes too Narrow”-The Shins
“Dirt”-Alice In Chains
“Undertow”-Tool
&
“B lood Sugar Sex Magik”-RHCP

Rock | 10/21/2007, 2:21 am EST

Also,
Dont’ forget THE BAND’s Music From
Big Pink Cover Art, done by Bob Dylan!

Rock | 10/21/2007, 2:19 am EST

U2-War
Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers
The Clash-London Calling
The Ramones-Rocket to Russia
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN-BORN TO RUN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o'r'th'hills | 10/21/2007, 2:06 am EST

bjork
:post
:homogenic
:ver spertine
:volta

alice in chains:
:dirt
:jar of flies

beck
:midnite vultures
(funky packaging)

the tragically hip
:fully completely

radiohead
:kid a
:hail to the thief

rhcp
:blood sugar sex magik

menomena
:friend and foe

jane’s addiction:
:kettle whistle

Nips | 10/21/2007, 12:50 am EST

from the choirgirl hotel - Tori Amos

Nips | 10/21/2007, 12:50 am EST

from the choirgirl hotel - Tori Amos

chep | 10/21/2007, 12:38 am EST

THE BEST EVER:-
WISH YOU WERE HERE-pink floyd
sgt peppers,abbey road,revolver-beatles
dookie- green day
sticky finger-rolling stones

Sethhh | 10/21/2007, 12:36 am EST

I remember being a young boy of 14 and rubbing one out to the cover of Blink 182’s Enema of the State. Ahh, memories…

beatles | 10/21/2007, 12:11 am EST

St.peppers….
so many stories behing the cover.

Bobgeorge | 10/21/2007, 12:10 am EST

Prince-Sign ‘O The Times & 1999
Roxy Music-Country Life
Funkadelic-Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow, Maggot Brain & America Eats Its Young
Madonna-Madonna
Spiritua lized-Ladies And Gentlemen…We’re Floating In Space
Beatles-Sgt. Pepper’s L.H.C.B., Revolver & Abbey Road
Miles Davis-Big Fun
Joy Divison-Closer
Suede-Suede
Hus ker Du-Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Iggy & The Stooges-Raw Power
Jimi Hendrix-Electric Ladyland (Original cover with JHE surrounded by nude women of various skin tones)
New York Dolls-New York Dolls
The Smiths-The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead & Louder Than Bombs
Grace Jones-Island Life
Mothers Of Invention-We’re In It Only For The Money

To Audio Suede:
The big deal about Prince is that he is a musical genius due to his grasp/use of various styles. From 1980 to 1988, no Prince album sounds like its predecessor. He’s a one man band in the studio. During his “peak”, not only was he doing all the music for his own releases, but all of the music for his many side projects. From your statement that you like some R&B, it’s pretty obvious that you only think of him as an R&B artist. Also, he’s one of the best live performers EVER! The only people that were surprised about his wonderful performance during the halftime of Super Bowl XLI were the cluelessss folk, like yourself, who just don’t want to or can’t understand the seriousness of his musicianship. Some white folks simply can’t except the fact that one of best rock musicians on the planet is a 5′2″ black man in heels.

Bobgeorge | 10/21/2007, 12:04 am EST

Prince-Sign ‘O The Times & 1999
Funkadelic-Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow, Maggot Brain & America Eats Its Young
Roxy Music-Country Life
The Beatles- Sgt. Peppers, Revolver & Abbey Road
Iggy & The Stooges-Raw Power
Joy Division-Closer
Spiritualized- Ladies & Gentlemen…We Are Floating In Space
NWA-Straight Outta Compton
RUN DMC-King Of Rock
The Smiths-The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead & Louder Than Bombs
T.Rex-Electric Warrior & Slider
Husker Du-Warehouse: Songs And Stories
New York Dolls-New York Dolls
Grace Jones-Island Life
Miles Davis-Big Fun
Jimi Hendrix-Electric Ladyland (Original Cover)
Madonna-Madonna
Mother’ s Of Invention-We’re In It Only For The Money

Bobgeorge | 10/20/2007, 11:50 pm EST

Prince-Sign ‘O The Times & 1999
Roxy Music-Country Life
Funkadelic-Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow & Maggot Brain
Madonna-Madonna
Spiritua lized-Ladies And Gentlemen…We’re Floating In Space
Beatles-Sgt. Pepper’s L.H.C.B. & Abbey Road
Miles Davis-Big Fun
Joy Divison-Closer
Suede-Suede
Hus ker Du-Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Iggy & The Stooges-Raw Power
Jimi Hendrix-Electric Ladyland (Original cover with JHE surrounded by nude women of various skin tones)
New York Dolls-New York Dolls

To Audio Suede:
The big deal about Prince is that he is a musical genius due to his grasp/use of various styles. From 1980 to 1988, no Prince album sounds like its predecessor. He’s a one man band in the studio. During his “peak”, not only was he doing all the music for his own releases, but all of the music for his many side projects. From your statement that you like some R&B, it’s pretty obvious that you only think of him as an R&B artist. Also, he’s one of the best live performers EVER! The only people that were surprised about his wonderful performance during the halftime of Super Bowl XLI were the cluelessss folk, like yourself, who just don’t want to or can’t understand the seriousness of his musicianship. Some white folks simply can’t except the fact that one of best rock musicians on the planet is a 5′2″ black man in heels.

reves | 10/20/2007, 11:35 pm EST

some good ones:
- no code by pearl jam
- remain in the light by talking heads
- the argument by fugazi
- daydream nation by sonic youth
- ok computer by radiohead

the best one though is london calling. if there was ever a album cover that captures the essence of an album, the image of paul breaking his guitar says it all. simply put, a perfect cover for a perfect album!

regatta-zenyatta | 10/20/2007, 11:25 pm EST

Synchronicity-The Police
Dark Side of the Moon-Pink Floyd
It’s Hard-The Who
TNT-AC/DC
A Night at the Opera-Queen

Brock_vond | 10/20/2007, 10:40 pm EST

Spinal Tap - Smell The Glove
Talking Heads - 77
Beatles - White Album

- I like simplicity ….

Either those or the First 3 Peter Gabriel Albums, sort of like magazines for you’re turntable

himjill | 10/20/2007, 10:06 pm EST

very simple

Sebadoh - Bakesale
or
U2 - Boy
or
anything Storm Thurgerson created

how about worst cover | 10/20/2007, 10:04 pm EST

Sports-

huey
lewis

Schram | 10/20/2007, 10:03 pm EST

Any Beatle Cover was Genius

Moody Blue’s “Days of Future Passed”

Pink Floyd- “Wish you were here”/Dark Side

Elvis Costello- Armed Forces/Imperial Bedroom

Rolling Stones-Satanic Majesties

The Zombies- Odyssey and Oracle

Elton John- Captain Fantastic (even the back side had awesome cover art)

Who-Who’s Next

They Might Be Giants-The Pink Album

Love-Forever Changes

Pavement-Slanted and Enchanted

Best Album with worst cover goes to the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. Cover is horrible because only Brian Wilson was the one writing and playing instruments, the rest of the band did shit except harmonize. Fuck Mike Love.

Dardo | 10/20/2007, 10:03 pm EST

“From The Choirgirl Hotel”, Tori Amos.
“Mechanical Animals”, Marilyn Manson.
“Aerial”, Kate Bush.
“Rid Of Me”, PJ Harvey.
“Homogenic”, Björk.
“Portishead”, Portishead.
“Takk…”, Sigur Ros (even though I hate that album).

And I cant’ remember another one.

e=mc2 | 10/20/2007, 9:38 pm EST

Santana. Santana
(first album)

Abraxas. Santana

WAR. U2

Rock & Roll. John Lennon
…standing in a doorway, watching the world go by…the splash of neon “works” here

Let It Bleed. Rolling Stones
(front & back cover)

1984. Van Halen

IV. Led Zeppelin

Houses Of The Holy. Led Zeppelin

Britt | 10/20/2007, 9:14 pm EST

-London Calling-The Clash
-Nevermind The Bollocks-The Sex Pistols
-Dark Side of The Moon=Pink Floyd

Walter | 10/20/2007, 9:07 pm EST

Ten favorite album covers of all time.

1. Leapday Night - David Behrman
2. 0898 - The Beautiful South
3. Lenox Avenue Breakdown - Arthur Blythe
4. Loss - Mull Historical Society
5. Is Terrified - The Dismemberment Plan
6. Eli and the 13th Confession - Laura Nyro
7. Spleen and Ideal - Dead Can Dance
8. Cultasaurus Erectus - Blue Oyster Cult
9. Laughing Stock - Talk Talk
10.To Mega Therion - Celtic Frost

WOW | 10/20/2007, 9:07 pm EST

London Calling-The Clash
Sticky Fingers-Rolling Stones
Trout Mask Replica-Captain Beefheart

Ryan | 10/20/2007, 8:35 pm EST

Beatles-Sgt. Pepper’s

Patti Smith-Horses

Green Day-Dookie (who didn’t have a blast staring at that cover in fifth grade?)

Simon and Garfunkel-Bookends

My Bloody Valentine-Loveless (hazy, can’t understand it, vibrant-just like the album)

Notorious B.I.G.-Ready to Die

Explosions in the Sky-All of the Sudden I Miss Everyone

Smashing Pumpkins-Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Marvin Gaye-What’s Going On (eyes to the sky like he’s dreaming of a better day)

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong-Ella and Louis (it’s just the two of them sitting in chairs!)

Joni Mitchell-Blue

MEATLOAF-BAT OUT OF HELL!!! That’s such a great cover!

I’ll put Fleetwood Mac “Rumors” up there for good measure, along with Bob Dylan looking super nice on the cover of “Nashville Skyline”…

…throw in any Molly Hatchet album cover (scary), Pink Floyd-The Wall, ands that Cars album with the naked lady on it. Yeah!

ricandy83 | 10/20/2007, 8:20 pm EST

Beatles: Sg Pepper, Revolver and Abbey road.
U2: War
Pink Floyd: dark side of the moon

Kinda Ready | 10/20/2007, 8:11 pm EST

London Calling

Kinda Ready | 10/20/2007, 8:11 pm EST

Sgt. Peppers
Neon Bible
orriginal Electric Ladyland

Bambino | 10/20/2007, 7:49 pm EST

Late for the Sky- Jackson Browne
Pretty good album, SWEET cover

Duga | 10/20/2007, 7:48 pm EST

Rammstein, “Rosenrot”. Not their best work, but the cover represents very well the overall sound and mood of the album. QOTSA’s “Songs for the deaf” has a pretty good cover too.

Dewey Finn | 10/20/2007, 7:45 pm EST

VAN HALEN - 1984

Matthew | 10/20/2007, 7:45 pm EST

London Calling and Sgt. Peppers are the two that pop out for me historically.

On a personal level, I like these covers:

Sea Change by Beck
The Smoke of Hell-Supersuckers
Clutch-Self Titled
Queens of the Stone Age-self titled
Talking Heads-Remain in Light
Jane’s Addiction-Ritual De Lo Habitual(Original Cover)
Snoop Dogg-Doggystyle
Dead Kennedys-Frankenchrist
Stroke s-Is This It(Original UK)
NWA-Straight Outta Compton
Rage Against the Machine-self titled
Fatboy Slim-You’ve come a long way baby(freaking hilarious)
System of a Down-Steal this Album

Anonymous | 10/20/2007, 7:03 pm EST

Opeth’s album covers tend to be eerie and mournful, just like the music. The visuals and music give off the same vibe, which I like.

Also, I thought the cover of The Mars Volta’s Frances the Mute was really cool. It’s probably my favourite in years.

Drew | 10/20/2007, 6:26 pm EST

One of the best album covers ever is Tina Turner’s “Private Dancer” from 1984. Not the CD cover which they changed but the original vinyl album. Talk about a comeback…….and those legendary legs are displayed perfectly.

R. Tickle | 10/20/2007, 5:38 pm EST

Hey Joe-
and the color of the lettering and a black & white photograph..
sheesh…we went from a face shot to a man smashing his guitar
..OTHERWISE..
an obvious homage.
- There were 4 colors of panties in School’s Out.
Pink
Blue
Green
(or)
Yellow

pkrocket22 | 10/20/2007, 5:27 pm EST

The Frank Frazetta Molly Hatchet albums.

Yes: Close To the Edge (the most subtle Roger Dean is in my opinion his best work).

Beach Boys: Surf’s Up

Steely Dan: Aja

Blue Oyster Cult: Agents of Fortune

Cove Road: Psychodelephant

lola | 10/20/2007, 5:19 pm EST

yeah, the original gn’r robot rape cover is better.

greenonions | 10/20/2007, 4:55 pm EST

Bob Marley - Catch A Fire
Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
Allman Brothers - At Fillmore East
Beatles - Abbey Road
Cream - Disraeli Gears
Jimi Hendrix - Axis: Bold As Love
Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
The Band - Music From Big Pink
The Who - The Who Sell Out
The Mothers of Invention - We’re Only In It For the Money
And hell…
Peaches - Fatherfucker
Slayer - Reign In Blood
Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power

max | 10/20/2007, 4:53 pm EST

guns and roses: apetite for destruction (original cover)

modjo | 10/20/2007, 4:53 pm EST

Nirvana- Nevermind
Madonna- True Blue
George Michael- Listen Without Prejudice
U2- War
Maxwell- Urban Hang Suite
James Blunt- All The Lost Souls

jc | 10/20/2007, 4:41 pm EST

ANY Iron Maiden cover - especially Piece of Mind and Killers

Joe Mama | 10/20/2007, 4:36 pm EST

Elvis Presley- Elvis Presley
The Black Crowes- Amorica
The Rolling Stones- Sticky Fingers
Van Halen- 1984
Led Zeppelin-I
Derek & The Dominos- Layla & Other Assorted Songs
Bruce Springsteen-Born In The USA
The Byrds-Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

El Fuego Phallus | 10/20/2007, 4:34 pm EST

Joy Division - Closer
The Strokes - Is This It, UK edition
Pink Floyd - Animals
Led Zeppelin - the original Physical Graffiti
Beck - The Information

thezero | 10/20/2007, 4:12 pm EST

Metallica - …And Justice for All

Deftones - Deftones

Peeping Tom - Peeping Tom

Fear Factory - Demanufactured

George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice

Ol Dirty Bastard - Return to the 36 Chambers

I’ll think of more later…

larry buchas | 10/20/2007, 3:57 pm EST

My apologies the links didn’t carry over & the spelling errors due to a sticky keyboard.

I hate spelling errors.

Anyway, you can check out the album art at
http://www.bluenote.com

Jordan | 10/20/2007, 3:54 pm EST

more covers I like:
No Doubt- Return of Saturn
Weezer- Pinkerton
Joy Division- Unknown Pleasures

it’s unfortunate that the Cure don’t have any really awesome album covers (I kind of like the cover of the Head on the Door, but, not enough though), none of their covers are really bad, just bland…

larry buchas | 10/20/2007, 3:49 pm EST

king crimson in the court of the crimson king
beatles - sergeant pepper’s
joni mitchell - hejira
miles davis - bitces brew
neil young - on the beach
rolling stones - sticky fingers
velvet underground

from the blue note jazz label:
donald byrd - the catwalk
http://www.bluenote.com/Imag es/jpeg_165/74226_165.jpg

d exter gordon - dexter calling
http://www.bluenote.c om/images/jpeg_165/92420.jpg

herbie hancock - inventions and dimensions
http://www.bluenot e.com/images/jpeg_165/63798.jp g

sonny rollins - volume 2
http://www.bluenote.com/ima ges/jpeg_165/2434978092.jpg

musicJUNKIE | 10/20/2007, 3:31 pm EST

electriclarryland–> butthole surfers

musicJUNKIE | 10/20/2007, 3:29 pm EST

rollingstone you’re really running out of ideas….you’ve asked this before…

matt | 10/20/2007, 3:25 pm EST

How about some recent album covers? I

Smashing Pumpkins Zeitgeist - A really striking cover

Beck- Sea Change

White Stripes- Get Behind Me Satam

Pearl Jam - Self- Titled

e=mc2 | 10/20/2007, 2:53 pm EST

nevermind

for its intuitive concept

Meoryou | 10/20/2007, 2:46 pm EST

Miles Davis - In A Silent Way
The Beatles - Abbey Road
Kanye West - Late Registration
The VU - The VU & Nico

Abbey | 10/20/2007, 2:08 pm EST

Abbey road of course…well actually any beatles album that trips you the fuck out when you look at it…so all of them i guess…the beatles were messed man…in a good way though

katie | 10/20/2007, 2:05 pm EST

in no particular order….
-zeppelin II
-Zeppelin IV
-Physical graphitti
-in utero
-Sgt. peppers lonely hearts club band
-The wall (simplcity kicks ass)
-dark side of the moon
-wish you were here

tp | 10/20/2007, 2:00 pm EST

paul mccartney-mccartney
its so cute

eman1293 | 10/20/2007, 1:49 pm EST

1. Nirvana - Nevermind
2. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
3. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV

Only Wunn | 10/20/2007, 1:11 pm EST

“Wish You Were Here” Pink Floyd
“Siamese Dream” Smashing Pumpkins
“Pet Sounds” The Beach Boys
“Pyromania” Def Leppard

wutwut | 10/20/2007, 1:08 pm EST

“Heroes” - David Bowie
In The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson
Ok Computer, Kid A - Radiohead
Fragile - Yes
Brain Salad Surgery - ELP
Tonight’s the Night - Neil Young
Blood Mountain, Leviathan - Mastodon

Anonymous | 10/20/2007, 12:26 pm EST

Let It Bleed- The Rolling Stones
The Times They Are A Changin- Bob Dylan
White Blood Cells- The White Stripes
After The Gold Rush- Neil Young
OK Computer- Radiohead
War- U2
Odelay- Beck
Daydream Nation -Sonic Youth
Revolver- The Beatles
Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin

SVUF | 10/20/2007, 12:20 pm EST

My favorite album covers are:( in no particular order)
1. Beatles-SGT.Peppers
2. Led Zep’s lll album
3. Flaming Lips-At war with the mystics
4. Yardbirds-Little games
5. Each member’s of KISS 1978 solo albums
6. Kiss-Love gun (8-track tape cover; the decal on the tape itself)
7. A Perfect Circle-Thirteenth step
8. Beatles-Revolver
9. Men at Work’s self titled album
10. Beatles-Magical Mystery Tour
11. Rush-Grace under pressure
12. Van Halen-1984
13. Yes-Fragile
14. Beatles-Yellow submarine
15. Weird Al Yankovic-Off the deep end
16. Led Zep’s 1st album
17. Rolling Stones-Flowers
When I buy an album regardless on what format, I usually care more about how good the tracks are than the art on the covers. Just like the old adage: ” You can’t judge an album ( in this case) by its cover!!

denis | 10/20/2007, 12:19 pm EST

GENESIS-TRESPASS,FOXTROT AND SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND.PHIL COLLING AND PETER GABRIEL SOLO ALBUMS SINCE THEY BOTH USE THEIR FACES ON EACH ALBUM I.E P.C. FACE VALUE OR P.G ALBUM 1

sllim | 10/20/2007, 12:00 pm EST

Jimi Hendrix-Axis: Bold As Love

Mr. Kite | 10/20/2007, 11:46 am EST

Stones - Sticky Fingers (with actual zipper) and Satanic Majesty’s (with 3D cover; didja know the Beatles are in there?).
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick (original, full fold-open newspaper)
King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King (open album completely to best appreciate).
Strawbs - Grave New World
Pink Floyd - Ummagumma
Emerson Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
The Who - The Who By Numbers (Entwistle’s creation)
Yes - Close to the Edge
Moody Blues - Long Distance Voyager (looks like a long ago time and place but something up in the sky is definitely out of context)
Roxy Music - nothing says “great album cover” like babes.
Captain Beefhart - Trout Mask Replica
Lennon/Ono - Two Virgins (probably musically a rip-off, couldn’t tell ya, but definitely a landmark cover).
Cheech & Chong - Big Bamboo (we wished there really was rolling papers that big!)
gotta go, but finally…
Alice Cooper - School’s Out (the album designed like an old-fashioned lift-up school desk and inside was the vinyl disk wrapped in pink panties).

joe strummer's ghost | 10/20/2007, 11:27 am EST

r. tickle -

the only thing related to elvis on the cover of london calling is the lettering.

R. Tackle | 10/20/2007, 11:11 am EST

Herb Alpert- “Whipped Cream and Other Delights”..
I have found and collected 5 tribute covers to this including Soul Asylum
“Clam Dip and Other Delights”

R. Tickle | 10/20/2007, 11:08 am EST

Do most of you REALIZE “London Calling” is a replica of Elvis Presley’s first album cover?

Doors- L.A. Woman (original see through with woman crucified on a telephone pole)

(and what about those Phil Collins album covers? stooooopid!)

Synchronicity had 32 variations.

Neon Park did unique work for a cool ol’ band called Little Feat..check out “Duck Lips” from Down on the Farm.

More Songs About Buildings and Food deserves a mention, too.

mountain | 10/20/2007, 10:57 am EST

replacements Tim

steve | 10/20/2007, 10:50 am EST

prodigy - jilted generation

ancientman | 10/20/2007, 10:31 am EST

The Sgt.Peppers, The Velvet Underground & Nico (Andy Warhol), Abbey Road, Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd)

pkrocket22 | 10/20/2007, 10:13 am EST

Potential big-time overlook!!! The Norman Rockwell painted cover of Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield. I have that one hanging on my wall. Beautiful and ironic.

pkrocket22 | 10/20/2007, 10:10 am EST

King Crimson:Court of the Crimson King

Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind

Led Zeppelin: Fourth album

The Beatles: Revolver/Rubber Soul

Black Sabbath: Live Evil

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: I don’t know the name, but it’s the fold out one with the hot girl from the 60’s covered in whipped cream. Definitely had an impact on my youth.

Blues Man | 10/20/2007, 10:08 am EST

Here we go (not in order)
Abbey Road - Beatles
Satanic (3D shot) - The Stones
Sticky Fingers (U.S. & Spain) - Stones
London Calling - Clash
OOh La La - Faces

This Charming Manc | 10/20/2007, 9:22 am EST

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
Nirvana - Nevermind
The Strokes - Is this it
The Smiths - Meat is murder
Gorilaz - Demon days
Rage against the machine - R.A.T.M

jess | 10/20/2007, 9:15 am EST

The Scorpions-Virgin Killers(uncensored cvr)

idaknow | 10/20/2007, 8:14 am EST

Metallica - Load
Jane’s Addiction - Nothing’s Shocking

Larry Graves | 10/20/2007, 7:35 am EST

Sparks-Kimono My House
Sparks-Propaganda
Sparks -Indiscreet
Beatles-White Album
Beatles-Abbey Road
Zappa-Hot Rats
Zappa-Weasles Ripped My Flesh
Blue Oyster Cult-On Your Feet…

Flexo | 10/20/2007, 7:32 am EST

Rush - Moving Pictures

thunderlizardrum | 10/20/2007, 7:10 am EST

the greatest album cover of all time spans both sides of the fold….overnight sensation, frank zappa

thunderlizardrum | 10/20/2007, 7:08 am EST

the greatest cover of all time spans both sides….overnight sensation, frank zappa!

Cravens | 10/20/2007, 5:38 am EST

Beatles - Revolver
Radiohead - Ok Computer
Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
Prince - Sign ‘o’ The Times
The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
Joy Division - Closer
U2 - Achtung Baby
David Bowie - Low

toohey1 | 10/20/2007, 5:36 am EST

ted nugent - weekend warriors

toohey1 | 10/20/2007, 5:36 am EST

ted nugent - weekend warriors

UR A KITTY KILLER PSYCHO | 10/20/2007, 5:32 am EST

Wow, I really think I popped a vessel in my brain remebering this one, “Lace And Whiskey” By Alice Cooper.

19 th Nervous Breakdown | 10/20/2007, 5:25 am EST

(A PSYCHO’S MELTDOWN MIX)

Some Girls– The Stones

Dana Doll | 10/20/2007, 5:21 am EST

how many more morons are going to vote for crappy nirvana covers?

Hotel California, baby.

HELP, MOMMIE! | 10/20/2007, 5:18 am EST

Synchronicity by the Police has a great album cover.

linda | 10/20/2007, 5:18 am EST

help,a hard days night-the beatles
its so cool

yeah yeah yeah | 10/20/2007, 5:16 am EST

the beatles-revolver,abbey road, sgt.pepper and yesterday and today{the butcher cover}
pink floyd-the wall and dark side of moon

INTERNET PROWLER | 10/20/2007, 5:16 am EST

Physical Graffitti

Who’s Next (they all piss on that cement wall that’s part of some ancient temple)

Van Halen 1984 (an angel smoking a butt, pretty cool)

HELP!!! CALL THE POLICE!!! | 10/20/2007, 5:08 am EST

Their Satanic Majesty’s Request

The Stones

Johny | 10/20/2007, 4:38 am EST

Chinese Democracy

Dracula | 10/20/2007, 4:03 am EST

R.E.M. “Murmur”

The Band “Music From Big Pink”

The Who “Sell Out”

Dracula | 10/20/2007, 3:54 am EST

The Beatles “Meet The Beatles” v. “Sgt Peppers Lonelyhearts Club Band”

both. But Sgt. Peppers should be #1 on any Top Album Covers list. Iconic.

Talking Heads “Remain In Light”
Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers” v. “Tattoo You” — again. Both

The Clash “London Calling” If anyone asked me “what does rock and roll look like” I’ll just show ‘em that.

Led Zeppelin IV. Yes, cover art is a dying form, but what about that gatefold art. That was awesome.

Nirvana “Nevermind”

The Ramones “The Ramones”. This is also what rock and roll looks like.

AK47 | 10/20/2007, 3:09 am EST

i don’t get the whole nevermind thing. it’s just some fuckin’ kid in a pool with his dick sticking out!

AK47 | 10/20/2007, 3:05 am EST

what the hell are you asking me for?

Jakobi | 10/20/2007, 3:03 am EST

Do you think Apple has purposely introduced Cover Flow as a way of keeping the album cover art form going?

Chris | 10/20/2007, 2:57 am EST

Beatles Revolver
Beck Odelay
Shins Oh, Inverted World
Wilco Kicking Television or Sky Blue Sky or A Ghost… Hell all of them
Led Zeppelin IV
Elvis Costello Imeperial Bedroom
Kanye West Graduation
Eminem The Eminem Show
Cream Disraeli Gears
Sonic Youth Daydream Nation
Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon
Bob Dylan Blood On The Tracks
U2 Achtung Baby
There’s more but I’m tired

CALIFORNIFUCKYOU | 10/20/2007, 2:39 am EST

every pearl jam cover ever made. Nah, nah. i’m just fuckin’ around.

PS anyone who’s a fan of david duchovny should be tortured with a pair of pliers and blow torch.

fuck the police | 10/20/2007, 1:54 am EST

john denver-rocky mountain high (i love that cover and record)

. . . i’d give you more but I have to go back to my full time job of being a menace to society. NOT!

Austin | 10/20/2007, 1:53 am EST

Radiohead: Ok Computer and Kid A
Interpol: Turn On the Bright Lights
The Cure: Disintegration
Life Without Buildings: Live At The Annandale Hotel

meltdown | 10/20/2007, 1:51 am EST

steely dan: aja

Jeremy | 10/20/2007, 1:42 am EST

Come on…give it up for two 80’s hardcore punk album cover icons: Winston Smith (Dead Kennedys) and Raymond Pettibone (Black Flag, SST label…not Damaged, though. That’s a Glen Friedman photo).

Having said that:

Black Flag: “My War”

Dead Kennedys: “In God We Trust, Inc.”

Ramones: “Ramones”

Sex Pistols: “Never Mind The Bullocks…”

Aphex Twin: “Come To Daddy”

…I could think of more but I have to get back to work…

z | 10/20/2007, 12:38 am EST

the inside of ramones albums are the best.

and funhouse - the stooges

me | 10/20/2007, 12:34 am EST

and Appetite for Destruction, duh.

me | 10/20/2007, 12:32 am EST

led zeppelin 3
abbey road
gn’r lies
tattoo you
blood sugar sex magik

DrJ | 10/20/2007, 12:23 am EST

A few more:
Rage Against The Machine (1st album)
Zappa: Hot Rats
Neil Young: American Stars n’ Bars
Springsteen: Nebraska

DrJ | 10/20/2007, 12:14 am EST

Zappa/Mothers: Weasels Ripped My Flesh, We’re Only In It For the Money
Big Brother and the Holding Company: Cheap Thrills
Grateful Dead: Aoxomoxoa, American Beauty
Stooges: Fun House
Elton John: Captain Fantastic
Stones: Sticky Fingers
Clash: London Calling, Goo
Sonic Youth: Daydream Nation
Miles Davis: Bitches Brew, Live Evil
Joni Mitchell: Court and Spark
Jefferson Airplane: Crown of Creation, Bless Its Pointed Little Head
Dylan: Times They Are A Changin’
Patti Smith: Horses
Velvet Underground: White Light/White Heat
Lou Reed: Transformer, Blue Mask, Growing Up in Public
Hendrix: Axis Bold As Love
Allman Brothers: Eat a Peach

totallyout9 | 10/20/2007, 12:09 am EST

yea i guess for me abby road by the beatles, good-bye yellowbrick road,captain fantastic,and dont shoot me by elton john, season of glass by yoko ono to name a few

slaggathor | 10/19/2007, 11:45 pm EST

pinkerton/weezer
no code/pearl jam
yield/pearl jam
pearl jam/pearl jam
brighten the corners/pavement
wowee zowee/pavement
the downward spiral/nin

supersonic | 10/19/2007, 11:31 pm EST

Not one vote for Appetite For Destruction? Okay, one vote for Appetite For Destruction

Also Ride The Lightning is a cool cover.

m | 10/19/2007, 11:06 pm EST

Hole - Live Through This

chochi | 10/19/2007, 11:06 pm EST

I agree, No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom

I also like Beastieboys - Hello Nasty

pooplol | 10/19/2007, 10:51 pm EST

“Shark Sandwich” by Spinal Tap

ummmmmmm | 10/19/2007, 10:36 pm EST

highway to hell
led zeppelin 1,2,4

Sniper Monkey | 10/19/2007, 10:32 pm EST

Heatmiser - Mic City Sons

Syd Matters - Someday We Will Foresee Obstacles

InMe - Overgrown Eden

Fightstar - Grand Unification

Alice In Chains - Jars Of Flies

Future Sound Of London - Dead Cities

Sigur Ros - Ágætis Byrjun

duchampy | 10/19/2007, 10:24 pm EST

wow.

its kind of funny the amount of people who actually think of alex grey as a great artist.

or h. r. giger.

fuck it. sgt peppers.

throbbing gristle- 20 jazz funk favorites

sonic youth-daydream nation. gerhard richter. thats a fucking painting. or not. thats the point.

AnnieNum21 | 10/19/2007, 10:10 pm EST

so far so good - bryan adams

Henry Chinaski | 10/19/2007, 9:59 pm EST

Lost In Space-Aimee Mann

Henry Chinaski | 10/19/2007, 9:58 pm EST

good category RRD, Cudos.

Henry Chinaski | 10/19/2007, 9:57 pm EST

Iron Maiden 1, Killers, and Number Of the Beast all creeped me out.

Headcheck | 10/19/2007, 9:55 pm EST

Tool - 10,000 Days

Rage Against The Machine - Self titled album

Deftones - Adrenaline

Metallica - Ride The Lightening

Slayer - South of Heaven

Soundgarden - Superunknown

Nirvana - Nevermind

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

Led Zeppelin - IV (self titled)

Henry Chinaski | 10/19/2007, 9:54 pm EST

The Alice Cooper Show (sick stuff)
Welcome To My Nightmare (bizarre)

Number of the Beast (gave me chills and Nightmares. great stuff)

Henry Chinaski | 10/19/2007, 9:47 pm EST

All Yes album covers painted by Roger Dean: Fragile, Realyer, Classic Yes, etc.

The fist three Asia covers(Roger Dean too):
Asia: Asia
Asia: Alpha
Asia:Astra

Physical Graffitti
Led Zeppelin 1,2,3,4, Presence

London Calling: The Clash
Kiss Dynasty, Kiss Destroyer, Alive 1, Double Platinum
Sgt. Pepper’s, Meet The Beatles, Rubber Soul

Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, Selling England By The Pound

The Who: Who’s Next

finulanu | 10/19/2007, 9:25 pm EST

Beatles - Abbey Road, Sgt. Pepper’s, Revolver, Rubber Soul, With the Beatles

Radiohead - OK Computer, Kid A

Neil Young - Self-titled, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Tonight’s the Night

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks, Huis Band & the Street Choir, Veedon Fleece

Miles Davis - Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, a Tribute to Jack Johnson

Springsteen - Born to Run

Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Ascension

Alice in Chains - Dirt, Alice in Chains

Fun House - Stooges

P-Funk - Maggot Brain, Cosmic Slop, Standing on the Verge of Getting it On, Let’s Take it to the Stage, One Nation Under a Groove, Mothership Connection, Funkentelecy vs. the Placebo Syndrome, Motor-Booty Affair

lassie | 10/19/2007, 9:11 pm EST

no code

pearl jam

JSuzart | 10/19/2007, 9:10 pm EST

TALKING HEAD - REMAIN IN LIGHT
KANYE WEST - THE GRADUATION
JOY DIVISION - UNKNOWN PLEASURES
PATTI SMITH - HORSES
BECK - SEA CHANGES
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO
ROXY MUSIC - COUNTRY LIFE
JUSTICE - (CROSS)
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE - ERA VULGARIS
ROLLING STONES - STICKY FINGERS
FLAMING LIPS - AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS
THE DECEMBERISTS - THE CRANE WIFE
WEEZER - PINKERTON
THE STOOGES - RAW POWER
DAVID BOWIE - ALADDIN SANE
THE WHITE STRIPES - WHITE BLOOD CELLS
THE STREETS - ORIGINAL PIRATE MATERIAL

Anonymous | 10/19/2007, 9:02 pm EST

Beatles - ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘White Album’
Pink Floyd - ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Animals’
Jimi Hendrix Experience - ‘Are You Experienced’

Christopher Hickey | 10/19/2007, 8:59 pm EST

Madonna - True Blue

Elton John - Captain Fantastic

The Beatles - Abbey Road

Green Day - American Idiot

Marilyn Manson - Mechanical Animals

Gwen Stefani - LoveAngelMusicBaby

OB | 10/19/2007, 8:59 pm EST

U2 - Achtung Baby

Joe | 10/19/2007, 8:41 pm EST

That would be BLACKOUT!!!!! SCORPS RULE (Devils horns hand sign)

Saltlick | 10/19/2007, 8:40 pm EST

Live at Leeds-The Who
White Album-The Beatles

Dr. Ralph | 10/19/2007, 8:24 pm EST

Jefferson Starship “Spitfire” lady smoking and the smoke turns into a dragon….

The Beatles “Revolver” trip art before we were tripping…

Molly Hatchet any album

what? | 10/19/2007, 8:18 pm EST

scorpions with the guy with the forks in his eyes (forget album name)

Vincent Yapnaro | 10/19/2007, 8:10 pm EST

“Late For the Sky” by Jackson Browne

Tricky Dick | 10/19/2007, 8:06 pm EST

Beatles - White Album

That’s you need.

Ryan | 10/19/2007, 8:03 pm EST

How Can you miss SGT PEPPERS or Abbyey Road?

Other :

Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head”

and Radiohead’s “Hail to the Thief”

timbob | 10/19/2007, 8:03 pm EST

chillipeppers-bloodsugarsexmag ik
beatles-abbey rd
pearl jam-vitalogy
green day-dookie
metallica-master of puppets
nin-with teeth
floyd-dark side
ratm-evil empire

Joe | 10/19/2007, 8:02 pm EST

ACHTUNG BABY—U2

Eric R. | 10/19/2007, 7:47 pm EST

The Cure, “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me”
Joni Mitchell, “Blue”
Yo La Tengo, “I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One”
Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue” (original cover)
Minutemen, “Double Nickles on the Dime”
Moby, “Hotel” (terrible album though)
No Doubt, “Rock Steady” ties with Rancid, “And out Come the Wolves …” for great use of black and white with red
Sarah McLachlan, “Surfacing” (knock the music if you like, but that image nails the spirit of the record)
Wilco, “Being There”
Pixies, “Surfer Rosa”
Frank Zappa, “Hot Rats” (the creepiest)
Weezer, “Pinkerton” (oh, for the mystery of it)
Also, I agree with everybody about London Calling, though