Special #1: Nick's Album Covers

And here's Nick's Top 20:

Around the World in a Day by Prince

Sure, it’s pretty well established that most of Prince’s album’s kick some serious androgynous ass. However, no one album does this better than the highly influential “Around the World in a Day.” I’m convinced that without this album, there wouldn’t be the funky, sexually-disturbed (borderline schizophrenic) psychedelic twee-pop landmark “Skeletal Lamping.” I believe David Barnes, brother of the gleefully lovesick of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes, has been highly influenced by this album’s artwork.

Between The Buttons by The Rolling Stones

Can anybody look at this cover and not think of “The Royal Tenenbaums?” Jesus, isn’t its iconic use in that film enough to justify this decision?

Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River

Okkervil River is a stellar band. From their humble beginnings, they’ve had great album art as well. Watch this video.

Dangerously In Love by Beyonce

Nothing says “sex me” better than the cover of Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love.” It perfectly captures the sex appeal of the highlight, “Crazy In Love.”

Embryonic by The Flaming Lips

For anybody that knows me, this one should be fairly obvious. I’m just about as obsessed with Wayne Coyne as I am with Tom Waits.

Friend & Foe by Menomena

Just ask my friend Nikhil. This album cover is mesmerizing. If you buy it, you’ll see just how intricate it really is (it comes in layers).

Kid A by Radiohead

I thought this one might require a little explaining. It helps to take a look at these two Wikipedia pages, which explain the origins of the packaging’s goosebump-inducing album art.

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine

This image actually sounds like the music. Very rarely can you capture the sound of shoegaze in an image, but it occasionally does happen.

Midnite Vultures by Beck

What’s better: “Midnite Vultures”or “Odelay?” Honestly, who gives a fuck anymore? I personally prefer the album art of “Midnite Vultures” to “Odelay’s,” but both covers are hella tight. (How’s that for an unnecessary blast from the past?).

More Songs About Buildings And Food by Talking Heads

More on this one later.

Mr. Beast by Mogwai

Desolate. Alien. Intimate. As it is with the best of Radiohead’s work, these are words that come to mind when I look at the vinyl packaging for Mogwai’s Mr. Beast. It’s certainly not better than “Loveless,” as Creation Records head Alan McGee claimed, but it is pretty damn harrowing to listen to.

The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie

Bloody brilliant! That’s all I really have to say for this album. Oh, and am I the only one who gets a laugh from the K. West sign directly behind ‘Ziggy’ there?


Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band / Cripple Crow – The Beatles / Devendra Banhart

Sgt. Pepper’s album art is arguably one of the most iconic covers of all time. I felt like I had to squeeze “Cripple Crow” in there just because it’s the indie rock “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”


Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’re Vanished / Person Pitch by Avey Tare & Panda Bear

Animal Collective’s album art is always inspiring. Its member’s solo works / collaborations are no exception. Get the vinyl release of “Person Pitch” and you’ll really be in for a treat.

St. Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley

The album art is infinitely better than the crummy album itself. Not only does it stir up images of Beck’s “Midnite Vultures” (see #7), but it perfectly captures the feeling of the album’s best track: the soulful fuzz-ballad “Crazy.”


Thriller by Michael Jackson

With the album cover for “Thriller” and a, ahem, ‘tiny’ contribution from a brilliant marketing campaign, Michael Jackson took over Pop music. It’s still perhaps the greatest album cover of all time, even after all the weirdness.


Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

Sure, it’s debatable whether this album should be on our list at all (I’m well aware that Mike positively despises it). Still, you can’t deny that album art is hilarious.


Velvet Underground & Nico

Yeah.

Watch Me Fall by Jay Reatard

It was unfathomably difficult for me to choose between this album cover and “Blood Visions.” However, in light (or lack of light) of Reatard’s recent death, I think this album cover is even more chilling.

Young Machete by Blood Brothers

What? You don’t find this image appealing? You find their music offensive?! Get blown!
　
Honorable Mentions:
Freedom of Choice by Devo
Acorn Master by Dan Deacon
It’s Blitz by Yeah Yeah Yeah’s
Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Cassadega (purchased CD) by Bright Eyes
Kala by M.I.A.
Pussy by Lords of Acid
Lovehunters by Whitesnake
Satanic Panic In The Attic by Of Montreal
Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Whipped Cream & Other Delights by Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Band
Rapper’s Delight by Dan The Automator
Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses
Dead Kennedies (Take your pick)
Rocket to Russia by The Ramones