After research and shortlisting and shortlisting and some more research and a little more shortlisting, I would like to welcome you to my Top 10 list of Pieces of Cover Art! Ps: Click on the images to listen to the music!
10 // Menomena – Friend and Foe
Menomena album art is always pretty spectacular. Their first album came with a CD flip book and an origami vinyl slip. Friend and Foe’s cover art bring an intricate melee of characters and creatures, from decapitated aliens to pregnant women, and all in cartoon form! It’s a chaotic scene for the listener to explore while they enjoy an equally stunning album.
9 // Architecture in Helsinki – Places Like This
Honestly, if places like this exist, I need to see more of the world. Wherever this is, it’s a long way in the future… A very very colorful future.
8 // Foster the People – Torches
One of my favorite albums at the minute is fronted by some sort of freak show lynch mob. Maybe they’re hunting a witch; maybe they’re holding a vigil. Either way, I wouldn’t be hanging around for too long.
7 // The Last Goodnight – Poison Kiss
Garden of Eden references with this stunning piece of artwork. The album was released in 2007 and was, unfortunately, their last album together, as the band was dropped by their label in 2008.
6 // Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
It’s just quite pretty, really. This is reflected in songs like Talking Bird and Grapevine Fires which are also, quite pretty. The colorful mosaic loosely reflects a set of stairs, narrow ones at that.
5 // Soulwax – Nite Versions
Quite boring really. Right? Wrong. Look closer… A little closer… Tilt your screen back!
4 // Rafale – Rock it, Don’t Stop it
THE COLOURS. OH MY GOODNESS, THE COLOURS. This album cover isn’t particularly exciting or adventurous, but it’s very enjoyable to look at. And that is what album covers are for, after all.
3 // Mac Miller – Love Life, Thank You
One million twitter followers. Wow, a big milestone for any musician using social media. Most usually mark the event with the customary “Thank you. I couldn’t have it done it without you” tweet. Mac Miller however, released a thank you album. In the mixtape Best Day Ever, Mac talks about how great his life is and now he’s taken the opportunity to thank all his fans. No fancy Photoshop magic on this one, just a letter to his fans. Nice touch, Mac.
2 // Gallows- In the Belly of a Shark
Let’s be honest here, I’m not big into my hardcore punk, but this is magnificent. No doubt, an epic scene, but the artistic style makes it for me here. God love the skipper on that boat. He hasn’t a hope.
1 // Biffy Clyro – Mountains
Epic. Absolutely epic. Everything from the battle going on between these two beasts, to the deep blue sea they’ve plunged into, is epic. Oh, and the song is pretty good too.
