Ask anyone who grew up listening to music on vinyl "why did you love vinyl albums so much?" and invariably, you’ll get "the artwork" as an answer.
I grew up listening to my brother's albums, I discovered bands because they were in his collection. I would look at the artwork and think "this looks cool, I wonder what it sounds like?". Thankfully due to the massive vinyl resurgence recently, we get to enjoy that part of the musical experience again. I wanted to share some of my favourite album artworks, to illustrate why they add so much to an album.
Queen – News Of The World
This is the album that made Queen my favourite band of all time. Look at this cover, and the gatefold sleeve, it’s so incredible, beautiful, and descriptive, both inside and out. As a kid, I was totally drawn to it. Just some trivia, inspiration (ok, total rip off) for the cover was courtesy of Astounding Science Fiction Magazine.
Alice Cooper – From The Inside
Again, you have to look at this one from a child’s eyes. Who was this guy wearing clown paint? What the hell is he yelling about? This was a REALLY special cover, as it was a triple gatefold cover. It opened on the front to reveal the inside of an asylum, and within that, a small door labeled, ‘quiet room’. You could open that door and there was Alice in a straight jacket. This seriously was the most epic cover. And my introduction to Alice Cooper.
Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking
I mean.. look at it. I was almost 14 when this album came out and you bought it JUST for the cover. Good album too. But the ARTWORK! Legend has it that Perry Farrell had someone body cast his girlfriend to create the sculptures because the record company weren’t up to scratch. It was also banned from a load of retailers until it was sold in a brown paper cover! That instantly makes it a must have in 1988.
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds
Look at that thing. It looks like a giant three legged bug, those piercing green eyes, that fire red laser destroying a battle ship. What ‘world’ did it come from and why is it doing this? This had me hooked as a kid, and I would soon learn of it’s H.G. Wells origin. I would often stare at this cover, and listen to the synths that sounded like lasers, and the commanding voice of Richard Burton. Amazing artwork that complimented the album beautifully.
Van Halen – 1984
Well didn’t this cause a stir! Originally, Van Halen wanted artwork of four chrome ladies dancing, but the artist (Margo Nahas) and the band couldn’t agree. They looked at her portfolio, and within it sat this now iconic cover. A putto stealing cigarettes. Of course, some were aghast with such an image, so it was sold with a sticker covering the cigarette and packet.
Pink Floyd – The Wall
Really, I could include just about any Pink Floyd album cover here, they are just so brilliant, but I’ve chosen The Wall due to it adding so much to the album. The characters in the story were given just enough of a face, if you hadn’t seen the movie, your mind was left to create worlds, and it was magical.
Iron Maiden – Live After Death
Long time collaborator with Iron Maiden, artist Derek Riggs, always created such amazing artwork for ‘Maiden covers, but it was this one in 1985 that caught my eye. Maybe because it features elements of past covers, which lends itself to the nature of the live album, that adds so much. Any way you swing it, double gatefold Iron Maiden covers have always been iconic, and instantly recognisable due to Edward The Head. Honourable mention to Somewhere In Time.
Of course, not all artists put that much into their album covers, and I guess that’s because they wanted to let the music speak for itself. I totally get that, but for me, and many others, the artwork added, and never took away from the music. What do you think?
- Dave 'Higgo' Higgins
