The Who had some pretty great ones (especially “Who’s Next”). So did Jethro Tull.
“Kansas” is definitely in the running in my humble opinion.
Joe Jackson was excellent in using his image on covers to sell his personality.
Boston. Their music grew more mediocre over the decades, but their album covers were very recognizable and consistent.
I like Grateful Dead album covers.
Al Stewart was another Hipgnosis client, and I think they did very well by him.
As a teenage boy, Molly Hatchet album covers always got me to take a second look. But I was into barbarians and vikings and such back then.
Second.
I think a close runner-up is Gail Collins’ work on the Mountain albums. Using her artwork and calligraphy provided quite a bit of consistency and they were all instantly recognizable.
And for anyone who might be unaware of it, she later murdered her husband, Felix Pappalardi, producer, songwriter, and bassist for the group.
Hipgnosis did covers for Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, Pretty Things, Renaissance, Yes (after they stopped using Roger Dean), Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Paul McCartney, ELO, and many other UK bands. All of them were striking in design.
Yeah, I have a book of their album covers, which show the versatility and wit very well.
Those are terrific.
I always found the inside art on a double album the most important of all, though. IYKWIM.
Yes.
No love for Meatloaf?
Yes
I always enjoy Ghost’s, particularly era 3 (Meliora through Ceremony and Devotion)…the era one covers aren’t anything to write home about, but the references are fun.
Yes, it was important to have something nice to look at while removing all the seeds and stems.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Roxy Music, which made an art out of stylish and sexy-but-not-sleazy album covers as in this NSFW link.
Jethro Tull had many great covers, many with cool novelty features such as ‘Stand Up’ pop-up figures in the foldout, and ‘Thick as a Brick’ newspaper insert.
Those are fantastic! Thanks.
It’s probably worth mentioning that the late Phil Hartman worked as a graphic artist and designed at least eight album covers.
https://www.fastcompany.com/3044107/8-album-covers-designed-by-legendary-comedian-phil-hartman