# The World's Greatest Rock n Roll Album Covers **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 3, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418 "2010-07-03T12:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/81 "2010-07-09T15:28:28Z")
Here’s a bit of trivia about the Eastern Indian cover for “Axis - Bold as Love.” Hendrix asked for something to reflect his native heritage. Oopsie! ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/82 "2010-07-09T16:46:32Z")
I’d like to mention my favorite album cover: Rush - [Test For Echo](http://discotecaxaranga.com/images/rush-test%20for%20echo.jpg). That’s the front cover, and [here](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W4_2k0XBuJM/SAjwUpnwZcI/AAAAAAAACbA/8aOT18b_e7s/s320/Rush_-_Test_For_Echo-back.jpg) is the back. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/83 "2010-07-09T17:05:01Z")
I love this album and the cover art: [ELO - Out of the Blue](http://pinktentacle.com/images/s_nagaoka_4_large.jpg) It was a double album with great inside artwork. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/84 "2010-07-09T20:26:48Z")
I used to have one of those when I was a kid. Played the crap out of it, I did. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/85 "2010-07-09T21:49:18Z")
> [@Chicagojeff](#): > > Jimi Hendrix Experience.. Electric Ladyland.. the original cover.. > > [http://www.lanceta.es/jimi-hendrix/COMMON/cover/Electric\_Ladyland.jpg](http://www.lanceta.es/jimi-hendrix/COMMON/cover/Electric_Ladyland.jpg) > > NSFW!!! How in the world did Drew Barrymore get onto that cover? Does she have a time machine? The chick on the far left… Anyway, my submission for today is Judas Priest’s _Stained Class_: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JpstandclassAP.JPG](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JpstandclassAP.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/86 "2010-07-09T22:55:22Z")
The Tragically Hip’s [Fully Completely,](http://www.amazon.com/Fully-Completely-Tragically-Hip/dp/B00000IJRC) done with color photocopiers. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Uncle\_Goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Goat)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/87 "2010-07-11T02:54:59Z")
Weekend work and heat wave more or less keeping me busy. Need some down time and with that, this instantly popped into my head: [Teaser and the Firecat](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/71/05/8a43024128a0cb5a0869d010.L.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/88 "2010-07-11T03:45:20Z")
Golden Earring’s Moontan had an interesting cover (before it was pulled and replaced with [this](http://tosca.homelinux.com/temp/tosca/G/DSC07801.jpg) [original front](http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/top10_moontan.jpg) [and back](http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Chad/moontanmanbutt.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/89 "2010-07-11T13:01:44Z")
Probably one of the creepiest (in a dang good way) album covers of all time. (Also one of the best, natch.): [**Reign In Blood**](http://www.sikworld.com/artofmetal/Slayer-Reign_in_Blood.jpg), by the inimitable Slayer. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/90 "2010-07-11T13:18:31Z")
Mybe it’s not exactly “rock-n-roll,” but I nominate Minor Threat’s _Out of Step_ for the coveted title of “Greatest Album Cover Ever”: > **[Out of Step (album)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_Step_(album))** > > Out of Step is the sole studio album by American hardcore punk band Minor Threat. It was released on 45 RPM vinyl in April 1983 through Dischord Records. Although Out of Step has only been released on CD in limited quantities, it has been repressed on vinyl as recently as 2010. All tracks from the album are available on Minor Threat's 1989 compilation album Complete Discography. > It is considered as elementary piece of the punk rock (specifically hardcore punk) genre. Many critics and magazines h... ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/91 "2010-07-11T13:26:47Z")
Megadeth’s _Youthanasia_: [File:Megadeth-Youthanasia.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Megadeth-Youthanasia.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/92 "2010-07-11T16:28:36Z")
As far as I’m concerned, there will never be an album cover more iconic than [this](http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200906/16/86/b0182286_1724362.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Uncle\_Goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Goat)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/93 "2010-07-12T01:57:15Z")
Another fine crop of cover art. A good mix of different things too, making it nearly impossible to rank, but the rankings are pretty much meaningless anyway. And thus: 1. Youthanasia – great image. 2. Trout Mask Replica – great line, great photo, great sound. 3. Fully Completely - once again, I like a collage 4. Wish you were here - my cover was the burning guy, the metal handshake was a sticker that came with the album. 5. Electric Ladyland - Hendrix is always in the top ten. 6. Moontan - and yes, the original is much more fetching. 7. Out of Step - don’t all wish we were black sheep? 8. Stained Glass – and stained well, I see. 9. News of the World – sci fi stuff always thrills 10. Out of Blue – like big-ass neon spaceships. 11. Rising - fist the rainbow! What? 12. Test of Echo - stacking stones, made difficult. 13. Teaser and the Firecat – what can it all mean? 14. Reign in Blood - metal mash 15. Meet the Beatles – well, there are so many Great Beatles covers, going to the basics is certainly noteworthy. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Uncle\_Goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Goat)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/94 "2010-07-12T01:59:33Z")
Oh knickers, I forgot me Sunday pick. Well… hey, [Meaty Beaty, Big & Bouncy](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIDBF62jwRo/SwGGXIbXyWI/AAAAAAAAFyk/Jv-M4hUev5w/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/95 "2010-07-12T02:26:24Z")
> [@Uncle\_Goat](#): > > Oddly enough, I barely recall the music: > [Octopus by Gentle Giant](http://newworldodor.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/gentle_giant_octof.jpg) Think proto-Phish. Now is it coming back to you? 😉 I’ll throw in R.E.M.'s [Murmur](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:REM_Murmur_cover.jpg). A murky landscape of kudzu, as befits a southern band with murky vocals. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/96 "2010-07-12T03:39:30Z")
> [@Uncle\_Goat](#): > > Oh knickers, I forgot me Sunday pick. Well… hey, > > [Meaty Beaty, Big & Bouncy](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qIDBF62jwRo/SwGGXIbXyWI/AAAAAAAAFyk/Jv-M4hUev5w/s1600/image%5B1%5D.jpg) The best Who album cover was [Who’s Next](http://diosnopasaporaqui.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/08_1_whos_next.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Uncle\_Goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Goat)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/97 "2010-07-12T12:29:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The best Who album cover was [Who’s Next](http://diosnopasaporaqui.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/08_1_whos_next.jpg). Well, fine, but I didn’t spend hours looking at that cover. Rather partial to Who Are You as too. But now for something completely different. [The Magicians Birthday](http://pagesperso-orange.fr/religionnaire/artistes/uriah_heep/art/the_magicians_birthday.jpg) Another bit of Roger Dean work. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/98 "2010-07-12T12:49:30Z")
Today’s choice: [**Draw the Line**](http://sakurahop.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/aerosmith_-_draw_the_line-front-tapa-cd-post.jpg), by Aerosmith. Because everything’s better with [Hirschfeld](http://www.alhirschfeld.com/index2.html). ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/99 "2010-07-12T13:51:44Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > Because everything’s better with [Hirschfeld](http://www.alhirschfeld.com/index2.html). OT Favorite Hirschfeld: [Jerry Garcia](http://www.alhirschfeld.com/cgi-bin/popup?ID=GARCIA&CAT=A1). It was going for around ten grand right before Hirschfeld’s death, don’t know if it climbed or not since. Another great Hirschfeld cover: [Man of la Mancha](http://www.ci.port-washington.wi.us/SummerTheater/PastProductions/ManOfLaMancha/ManOfLaMancha.jpg). But wait, that’s not rock music. For rock, I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Sabbath yet (unless my read of the thread is way off–apologies if so). There is a lot to choose from, but Sabotage always struck me as a bit … creepy. Not that some of their others aren’t, but this has just enough surreality to hit a nerve. [Front](http://eloco.comze.com/Black%20Sabbath%20-%201975%20-%20Sabotage.jpg). [Back](http://www.sabbath.se/Bilder/vinyllp/sabotage_fin_back_big.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418/100 "2010-07-12T15:26:21Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > OT > Favorite Hirschfeld: [Jerry Garcia](http://www.alhirschfeld.com/cgi-bin/popup?ID=GARCIA&CAT=A1). It was going for around ten grand right before Hirschfeld’s death, don’t know if it climbed or not since. > > Another great Hirschfeld cover: [Man of la Mancha](http://www.ci.port-washington.wi.us/SummerTheater/PastProductions/ManOfLaMancha/ManOfLaMancha.jpg). But wait, that’s not rock music. > For rock, I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Sabbath yet (unless my read of the thread is way off–apologies if so). There is a lot to choose from, but Sabotage always struck me as a bit … creepy. Not that some of their others aren’t, but this has just enough surreality to hit a nerve. [Front](http://eloco.comze.com/Black%20Sabbath%20-%201975%20-%20Sabotage.jpg). [Back](http://www.sabbath.se/Bilder/vinyllp/sabotage_fin_back_big.jpg). It’s Ozzy’s pyschedelic robe and Fairie boots that are freaking you out! I like Radiohead’s _The Bends_: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Radiohead.bends.albumart.jpg](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Radiohead.bends.albumart.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-greatest-rock-n-roll-album-covers/545418.md?page=6)