What do you consider to be the best designed album covers?
Personally I think the stones ‘Let it Bleed’ and Big Youth’s ‘Screaming Target’
I think its a shame that digital music has taken away the art of the album cover. I’m trying to think of a way to bring it back and I am hoping that other designers are too. I think a good album cover gives music another edge, another dimension. I also consider music to be a stronger form of social commentary than design. I think it has more ‘influence’ (for want of a better word) over the masses. Any thoughts?
Even though it was never released on vinyl, one of my of my favorite album covers is Mae - The Everglow. It was a concept album they did which included one of the best interactive online companions to the album.
I’m not sure if it’s ok to do this. But I want to plug my parent’s business. They love the old artwork that vinyl albums had. So they started making coaster sets out of old vinyl albums. It’s actually a pretty neat way to recycle unplayable vinyl.
My father had this when I was a kid and I loved it. There was an illustrated popup on the inside too. I think this might have been what first got me interested in drawing comics. And there were some naughty bits in it too (for a seven year old).
I can’t believe it took 13 posts to get to Blue Note. The best album covers!
I have so many favorite album covers for so many reasons, here is a quick cross section: Some I really love the design, others, the album has holds such an emotional impact that it is hard for me to decide if I really love the album cover, the music, the point in time it represents for me, or all three!
L.A. Symphony’s Baloney EP. It’s put together just like a sandwich with the liner notes being lettuce and tomatoes and the CD itself being a piece of Baloney. It also originally came in a sandwich bag.
