# Which bands had the best art on their album covers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 4, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257 "2019-10-04T13:36:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/41 "2019-10-04T20:07:52Z")
[KMFDM deserves a mention for their unique covers.](https://www.google.com/search?q=kmfdm+album+covers&rlz=1CAHKDC_enUS836&sxsrf=ACYBGNTh0G9BtCG0C1-4jqryKcow1j5OZQ:1570219660338&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWj8uItIPlAhWLqp4KHd5hApAQ_AUIEigB&biw=1366&bih=665) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/42 "2019-10-04T20:09:05Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Those are fantastic! Thanks. Cool. Glad to share them. The music inside is pretty fantastic, too! ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/43 "2019-10-04T20:09:58Z")
Dead Kennedys, with collage by Winston Smith. Well except for one [NSFW](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penis_Landscape)liner image by H.R. Giger of Alien fame. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/44 "2019-10-04T21:16:54Z")
**Joy Division/New Order** featuring the work of Peter Saville (who also did lots of other great album art) **Cocteau Twins** featuring the work of 23 Envelope/v23/Vaugn Oliver - that or the 4AD label as a collective, since he was their house designer. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/45 "2019-10-04T22:31:09Z")
There was a German band in the late 70s/early 80s called **Lake** that had some interesting album covers. Link to Wikipedia page which has links to a few album covers: [Lake (German band) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_(German_band)) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/46 "2019-10-04T22:42:40Z")
Molly Hatchet Moody Blues Kansas Parliament/Funkadelic Ohio Players Herb Albert Tom Tom Club Elton John Scorpions all for different reasons ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/47 "2019-10-04T22:43:14Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Mothers of Invention / Frank Zappa. Indeed, The Mothers: [Uncle Meat](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Frank_Zappa_-_Uncle_Meat.jpg), [We’re Only in it for the Money](https://static.stereogum.com/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-03-01-at-4.52.52-PM-1519941245-compressed.png), and [Weasels Ripped My Flesh](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Frank_Zappa_Weasels_Ripped_My_Flesh.jpg). I was also always partial to Jefferson Airplane’s [Bless Its Pointed Little Head](https://img.cdandlp.com/2013/05/imgL/115948159.jpg) and Quicksilver Messenger Service’s [Happy Trails](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/58/Quicksilver_Messenger_Service-Happy_Trails_%28album_cover%29.jpg) & the self-titled [Quicksilver Messenger Service](https://light-in-the-attic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/release_image/23957/image/large_550_tmp_2F1563831899946-9a1g7ccgll5-b493b05f9c8a3ee8014cde454cf59ced_2F71tvud2K1kL._SX355_.jpg). All dated now (perhaps) but trippy, dippy, hippy stuff back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/48 "2019-10-04T22:50:15Z")
Some were artsy, some were shocking, some just were weirdly fun ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/49 "2019-10-04T23:02:45Z")
[Rush](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&biw=1600&bih=755&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=Ms-XXdL7LaHn_QaH36uwDA&q=Rush+Album+Covers&oq=Rush+Album+Covers&gs_l=img.3..0i67j0l5j0i5i30l4.11256.11455..11580...0.0..0.134.134.0j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.v6L2MU1uXsA&ved=0ahUKEwjS3ODq2oPlAhWhc98KHYfvCsYQ4dUDCAY&uact=5) ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/50 "2019-10-04T23:36:57Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Boston. Their music grew more mediocre over the decades, but their album covers were very recognizable and consistent. > > [https://www.google.com/search?q=Boston+album+covers&client=ms-android-google&source=android-browser&prmd=isnv&sxsrf=ACYBGNTnVhN\_f23l10HKLoZytb0Ys5d3-A:1570202684280&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk2uLp9ILlAhXYrJ4KHeQ-DJ4Q\_AUoAXoECA8QAQ&biw=640&bih=288](https://www.google.com/search?q=Boston+album+covers&client=ms-android-google&source=android-browser&prmd=isnv&sxsrf=ACYBGNTnVhN_f23l10HKLoZytb0Ys5d3-A:1570202684280&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk2uLp9ILlAhXYrJ4KHeQ-DJ4Q_AUoAXoECA8QAQ&biw=640&bih=288) I was going to suggest them, as well, with a similar commentary. Their covers seem to suggest some kind of migratory progression. In a similar vein, Journey’s album titles suggested a progression and their album covers consistently included some kind of scarab. I was also going to mention RUSH, but \*\*The Tooth \*\*beat me to it. Their albums always seemed to have the title and cool art, plus an interior art that was some kind of double-entendre for the title. –G! ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/51 "2019-10-05T00:17:48Z")
I was fond of Journey’s scarab-themed album covers. Dio’s album covers amused me. All-time greatest has to be _Whipped Cream and Other Delights_, by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/52 "2019-10-05T03:18:33Z")
Brute!'s KMFDM album covers are good. [KMFDM album covers](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNQyic3N0oLh9BuRVUvHOLDkwu9UEw%3A1570245184003&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=758&ei=PwqYXZvCN4uJ-gSe37uICg&q=kmfdm+album+covers&oq=kmfdm+&gs_l=img.1.0.35i39j0l9.3120.4802..7493...0.0..0.96.436.6......0....1..gws-wiz-img.WUf-miAoK0k) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/53 "2019-10-05T04:44:24Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Cool. Glad to share them. The music inside is pretty fantastic, too! Oh, I’ve loved Steve Earle’s music for years I’ve just never seen the album covers. But they sure are cool. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/54 "2019-10-05T06:03:22Z")
Another vote for Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/55 "2019-10-05T06:47:24Z")
Klaatu’s album art was always fun. Each album featured a sun and a mouse. The sun was always easy to spot, but the mouse–where was it? Enough examination of the album, and you’d find the mouse eventually. Klaatu only put out five albums, but each had both a sun and a mouse on the artwork. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/56 "2019-10-05T12:40:35Z")
Man, these music threads should be titled “Which artists whose heyday was prior to 1983 had the best\_\_\_\_\_\_\_?” Cmon yall fogies! Boston? Thats the the only fucking name i even vaguely recognize and i couldnt for the life of me identify one Boston song. And im 40 years old. And ibe been immersed in music most of my life. Anyway, my nominee is the rapper Future. Idk who his artistic talent for his album covers is but he had released _many_ albums and consistently featuures some of thebest, most creative and artistic covers of mot just most rappers but most musicisns onthe popular music landscape. Ill dig up some eamples and post lnks. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/57 "2019-10-05T14:48:10Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Man, these music threads should be titled “Which artists whose heyday was prior to 1983 had the best\_\_\_\_\_\_\_?” Cmon yall fogies! It’s a fair cop. I admit to being a fogey. But also, two or three points: (1) We’re talking about album covers in this thread. I suspect that album cover art was at its height during the Vinyl Era. It makes sense that album covers would be more elaborate and detailed if more people were going to be getting large physical copies of them, vs. showing up as a small image on your phone screen. (1a) A lot of the examples mentioned in this thread are by bands that are at least a bit proggy. It makes sense that bands with a more Artsy approach to their music would also take a more Artsy approach to their album covers. (2) Music today is more fragmented. Different people listen to different things; there’s no longer “What’s on the radio” or “What’s at the top of the charts” that everybody knows about. There’s more music today, but less that we all have in common, which may affect the kinds of responses we get in threads like this. Personally, I can’t stand rap/hip-hop. It’s just not my thing; I don’t enjoy it. So covers of albums by rappers aren’t going to be on my radar. But if you want to broaden our horizons, please do so. Inject some fresh air into our stale consciousnesses. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/58 "2019-10-05T15:55:19Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > … Boston? Thats the the only fucking name i even vaguely recognize and i couldnt for the life of me identify one Boston song. And im 40 years old. … This is nothing to brag about. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/59 "2019-10-05T16:17:51Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Album covers can be divided into two categories: those that picture the artist/band, and those that don’t. > > The Beatles are the absolute masters of the first type. And the time they went for non-representational, boy did they go for non-representational. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257/60 "2019-10-05T16:54:12Z")
The [Alan Parsons Project](http://www.hipgnosiscovers.com/alanparsons.html) had some great covers, also by Hipgnosis. A lot of Weird Al Yankovic’s covers were pretty nice too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bands-had-the-best-art-on-their-album-covers/841257.md?page=4)