Got a favorite album cover?

I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but, come on, there’s something about a solid album cover that just grabs you while flipping through the bins–back when a 12x12-inch square could capture all sorts of magic. 

Three personal faves.

First, a bit of a deep cut as it’s from a Maiden single, not an LP. I had the poster of this hanging in my dorm room: Eddie at full tilt, bullets to the cranium and heading straight for them. 

Next, Van Halen’s debut. Look at Michael Anthony digging it and thumping that E string. The whole production is heavy AF. 

My third one doesn’t have any art–well, it uses type, color and negative space as art: Cannonball Adderley’s Somethin’ Else. 

Discuss.

Mastodon - The Hunter 

The video for "Black Tongue" shows a small snippet of the making of the actual piece, it's pretty wild. 

The name of the sculpture is Sad Demon Oath by AJ Fosik

I'm a fan of 2nd wave black metal and it had a style all its own. 

As well as Cradle's alternate cover for Cruelty and the Beast which I cannot post here.

Opeth's Blackwater park is a great one too.

Also, you know, just everything Storm Thorgerson has ever done  but that goes without saying.

These guys certainly had a theme

Iron Maiden album artwork is usually epic, but Somewhere in Time is on a level to where buying an LP version is worth it (front and back):

IDK about a cover, but can we all stop for a moment to appreciate the fact that pressing your finger into the middle of the Bloodhound Gangs "Hooray for 8008135" album, it would look like an anatomy class?

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

So many easter eggs in the art on them, especially that one.

EDIT: For my cover...

I'd have to think about a "favorite", but honorable mention for this one.  Had many a PMRC member in a tizzy in the early 80s, trying to remember if I found one that wasn't censored.

The album covers with Frank Frazetta's art are fantastic.

But for some reason I am partial to pretty women on album covers.

Especially if it involves a space theme also.

Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:

Iron Maiden album artwork is usually epic, but Somewhere in Time is on a level to where buying an LP version is worth it (front and back):

100% was gonna post this one. Absolutely the coolest of their covers, and it has so many Easter Eggs alluding to other albums/songs of theirs. 

Pretty much any Yes album would look great airbrushed on the side of a van.

stuart in mn said:

Pretty much any Yes album would look great airbrushed on the side of a van.

Especially when the artwork is too epic to fit on the cover...

Spinal Tap's black album

I have this as a framed poster in my living room.  One of my favorites.

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Spinal Tap's black album

I was going to go with Shark Sandwich, but you're right, this is better. I mean, how much more black could it be? None.

02Pilot said:

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Spinal Tap's black album

I was going to go with Shark Sandwich, but you're right, this is better. I mean, how much more black could it be? None.

It's sort of a pastel black.

02Pilot said:

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Spinal Tap's black album

I was going to go with Shark Sandwich, but you're right, this is better. I mean, how much more black could it be? None.

I'm curious how the sequel will turn out, the first one is great.

Cliche, I suppose, but it's a classic for a reason:

Apparently there's a doc on Netflix about the artist. I need to watch it.

We actually had this gem painted on the wall–the inside wall!–of our high school cafeteria:

02Pilot said:

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Spinal Tap's black album

I was going to go with Shark Sandwich, but you're right, this is better. I mean, how much more black could it be? None.

There's none more black.

Before I was married I had about half of the above record sleeves on the wall of my apartment. The 70's / 80's ones. The Molly hatchet one was in the bathroom haha.