35 Beautiful Music Album Covers

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Album cover art is often considered to be one of the “extincted” fields in modern graphics design. In times when digital copies are cheaper and quicker to get, album covers have somehow lost their importance as less and less customers actually buy CDs and LPs in the stores. That’s a pity because album covers can be extremely expressive and convey the message of the album in a number of creative ways. This post attempts to prove exactly that.

Music and art go hand in hand. And the best way to get a potential buyers’ attention is with an eye catching album cover. We all know you can’t just judge a book by it’s cover but it doesn’t hurt to give a CD a spin based off a sexy piece of art.

Below we present 35 excellent examples of beautiful, creative and impressive album covers that will certainly inspire you to head down to the local record shop and start browsing through records and labels. We have tried to address various cover designs and present both CD covers and LP covers from 60s to 2000s, however some excellent album covers are definitely missing. Please let us know about them in the comments to the post!

This post was updated. Thank you for the comments!

Album Covers

The Mars Volta “Frances the Mute”

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers

Danger Doom – The Mouse and the Mask

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers

Michael Jackson: Dangerous by Mark Ryden

Michael Jackson: Dangerous by Mark Ryden

Devil’s Gun – Raising The Beast

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers - Devil's Gun - Raising The Beast

Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist by Shepard Fairey

Smashing Pumpkins: Zeitgeist by Shepard Fairey

Keane: Under The Iron Sea by Sanna Annukka

Keane: Under The Iron Sea by Sanna Annukka

Kisschasy: United Paper People by Debaser

Kisschasy: United Paper People by Debaser

Editors: The End Has a Start by Idris Khan

Editors: The End Has a Start by Idris Khan

Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Coldplay - Soul Wax - Nite Versions

Ground Components: An Eye for a Brow, A Tooth for a Pick by Jonathan Zawada

Ground Components: An Eye for a Brow, A Tooth for a Pick by Jonathan Zawada

Arcade Fire: Funeral

Arcade Fire: Funeral

Kool & the Gang – Still Cool

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Kool & the Gang - Still Cool

Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon 1973

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon 1973

Gallows: In The Belly of a Shark by Dan Mumford

Gallows: In The Belly of a Shark by Dan Mumford

Muse – Origin of Symmetry (thanks, Paul)

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers - Muse - Origin of Symmetry

Linkin Park – Reanimation

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Coldplay - Soul Wax - Nite Versions

Lemon Jelly: Lost Horizons by Airside

Lemon Jelly: Lost Horizons by Airside

Tool: 10,000 Days

Tool: 10,000 Days

Circa Survive: On Letting Go

Circa Survive - On Letting Go

The Last Goodnight – Poison Kiss

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- The Last Goodnight - Poison Kiss

Pink Floyd – The Division Bell

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Pink Floyd - The Division Bell

Thom Yorke: The Eraser by Stanley Donwood

Thom Yorke: The Eraser by Stanley Donwood

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven (thanks, yaara)

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers - Muse - Origin of Symmetry

Architecture in Helsinki: Places Like This by Will Sweeney

Architecture in Helsinki: Places Like This by Will Sweeney

The Chemical Brothers: Push the Button by Tappin Gofton

The Chemical Brothers: Push the Button by Tappin Gofton

Rolling Stones – Forty Licks

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Muse - Absolution

Rafale: Rock It, Don’t Stop It by Akroe

Rafale: Rock It, Don't Stop It by Akroe

Dream Theater – Scenes from the memory (thanks, OverZero.it)

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers - Muse - Origin of Symmetry

Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction

Relayer: Yes

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Relayer: Yes

Coldplay – Viva La Vida

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Coldplay - Viva La Vida

New Order – Power, Corruption and Lies
Designed by one of today’s most influential designers Peter Saville (thanks, Shaun)

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers - New Order - Power, Corruption and Lies

Soulwax – Nite Versions

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Coldplay - Soul Wax - Nite Versions

Pixies – Doolittle

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Pixies - Doolittle

Deerhunter – Cryptograms

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Deerhunter - Cryptograms

Hot Chip – The Warning

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Hot Chip - The Warning

Muse – Absolution

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Muse - Absolution

The Police – Ghost In The Machine

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Muse - Absolution

Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

DJ Shadow – Endtroducing…

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers

Wow – Moby Grape

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Wow - Moby Grape

Genji Siraisi: Censorsh!t by Razauno

Genji Siraisi: Censorsh!t by Razauno

Radiohead – Hail to the Thief

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Radiohead - Hail to the Thief

VHS Orbeta – Bring On The Comets

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- VHS Orbeta - Bring On The Comets

Van Halen – 1984

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Muse - Absolution

Fort-Minor – The Rising Tied Front

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers - Fort-Minor - The Rising Tied Front

The Roots – Game Theory

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- The Roots - Things Fall Apart

Led Zeppelin – Mothership

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Bon Jovi - Have A Nice Day

Nick Drake – Pink Moon

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Muse - Absolution

The Cribs – Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever

Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- Muse - Absolution

XTC – Drums and Wires

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- XTC - Drums and Wires

Queens Of The Stone Age: Era Vulgaris by Morning Breath Inc

Queens Of The Stone Age: Era Vulgaris by Morning Breath Inc

Beck: The Information by Big Active and you
“The album was issued with a blank sleeve and booklet and one of four different sheets of stickers for fans to make their own album art. Beck explained to Wired magazine he wanted no two copies of the CD cover to be the same: “The artwork is going to be customizable. The idea is to provide something that calls for interactivity.” However, because the unique album art concept was seen as a gimmick to bolster retail sales, The Information was deemed ineligible to enter the UK Albums Chart.”

Beck: The Information by Big Active and you

Merzbow – Frog: Remixed and Revisited

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers

Last Click

The World’s First Album Cover
Alex Steinwess, a then 23 years old designer, convinced Columbia’s suits to create the first true album cover. Until then, 78s were sold in generic sleeves. Please notice that there is the word “smash” on the cover.

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- The World's First Album Cover

Showcase of Beautiful Album and CD covers- The World's First Album Cover

Related posts

You may want to take a look at the following related posts:

Ashley Ringrose is better known as Mr Truffle and editor of Sleevage a music design blog. He occasionally plays with Mr Potatoheads and dresses up in costumes. He is also a founding member of Soap Creative an Australian based digital agency.

  1. 201

    Jess

    August 8th, 2008 6:49 am

    For “Circa Survive: On Letting Go,” Esao Andrews did the cover. his link is http://www.esao.com . Amazing stuff!

    0
  2. 202

    Karinne

    August 8th, 2008 10:31 am

    Wow! A Dream Theater album made the cut! I’m impressed! :) \m/

    The Odyssey or Paradise Lost by Symphony X could easily make the cut as well … same with some Ayeron ;)

    Great list!

    +1
  3. 203

    im.impressed

    August 9th, 2008 12:00 pm

    this was so impressive!! thnx, i love this kida stuff!
    sawdust, has a pretty great cover art too. i expected to see it…

    0
  4. 204

    sid9102

    August 10th, 2008 5:21 am

    What about NIN? The Fragile has an awesome cover, and so do many other NIN albums.

    0
  5. 205

    Scyfox

    August 10th, 2008 3:16 pm

    No Follow? http://www.scyfox-site.com

    You missed Groove Armada – Soundboy Rock and A lot of Nine Inch Nails covers
    http://manchester.diarystar.co.uk/images/groove-armada-soundboy-rock1.jpg

    There is a picture of the front cover.-

    Silla!

    0
  6. 206

    Scyfox

    August 10th, 2008 3:17 pm

    You missed Groove Armada – Soundboy Rock and A lot of Nine Inch Nails covers
    http://manchester.diarystar.co.uk/images/groove-armada-soundboy-rock1.jpg

    There is a picture of the front cover.-

    Silla!
    http://www.scyfox-site.com

    0
  7. 207

    Rich

    August 12th, 2008 8:27 am

    You should have named this post “my fav cd’s”

    0
  8. 208

    -]Phatp[-

    August 13th, 2008 8:31 am

    the Soulwax cover OWNS

    +1
  9. 209

    santi

    August 14th, 2008 1:18 pm

    Well not sure what this is about. I see some very average stuff that is boring and uninspiring…
    Dunno what coldplay does there? Just a painting (representing the French revolution I believe) with some letters over it… Thats not art IMHO…

    Anyways for some more original covers, check out the ones for Peter Gabriel 2 and 3 (they where mentioned earlier but I think those are very good, especially 2).

    if this was about illustrated covers then you can add anything from genesis (so tresspass, nursery crime, foxtrot, selling england by the pound, wind and wuthering, duke, we can’t dance are good choices). Of course the already mentioned “In the court of the Crimson King” from King Crimson. Marillion has some good painted covers (Fugazi, Script for a Jesters Tear, Clutching at straws, Misplaced Childhood, Curtain Call etc.) and there are a lot of other bands too I suppose. Weather Report has some, Queen (Night at the OPera or Innuendo), of course the famous Bitches Brew from Miles Davis and Im sure that mastermind Frank Zappa has something for this article too…

    0
  10. 210

    Marc Lisle

    August 15th, 2008 9:53 am

    I still think one of the best album covers, for both concept and art direction, is Supertramp’s Breakfast in America:
    Breakfast in America
    It is also a great pop album that brings back many fond memories…

    0
  11. 211

    Lucas

    August 16th, 2008 3:18 pm

    where’s iron maiden’s somewhere in time?!

    0
  12. 212

    Eric

    August 17th, 2008 12:34 am

    I miss Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in your list!

    0
  13. 213

    Pants

    August 17th, 2008 1:52 am

    Just in case you weren’t aware, Led Zeppelin’s ‘Mothership’ album cover was also illustrated/designed by Shepard Fairey. You’ll notice his signature ‘propaganda poster’ style not only on that cover but also with the Smashing Pumpkins most recent album ‘Zeitgeist’.

    0
  14. 214

    Dave

    August 17th, 2008 12:05 pm

    Really glad to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Dj Shadow in there.

    0
  15. 215

    SHINODA

    August 18th, 2008 7:52 am

    linkin park and fort minor
    the best band!!!

    0
  16. 216

    LINKIN PARK BRAZIL :)

    August 19th, 2008 7:39 am

    LINKIN PARK s2
    FORT MINOR s2
    s2 s2 s2 s2 s2 s2

    0
  17. 217

    Karol =)

    August 21st, 2008 3:23 pm

    Gente…eo nun achei nenhum bunito…
    todos são feios, como vxs podem achar issu bunito!?
    mi poupee viiu gentee, eu prefiro mais as capas aqui do Brasil
    elas são lindass! *–*

    =3

    Bjoz pessoal!

    0
  18. 218

    Karol =)

    August 21st, 2008 3:24 pm

    meu comentario…

    mais como diz heein ingles

    Comment =P

    0
  19. 219

    kim k

    August 21st, 2008 6:38 pm

    You should of put up a bright eyes one! (esp Casadega) they are cool. also NZ band ‘Goodshirt’ had stickers long before Beck.

    0
  20. 220

    danny c

    August 22nd, 2008 7:53 pm

    yikes the only thing worse than this site design is this compilation!

    0
  21. 221

    gwennie2006

    August 24th, 2008 8:54 am

    Great compilation! I am the one from flickr that did the radiohead alternate cover:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/GrfxDziner/1484902355/
    You can put it back in, if you like.

    This is another one I did:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/GrfxDziner/99772927/

    0
  22. 222

    Felipe

    August 26th, 2008 10:10 am

    Keane RULEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

    0
  23. 223

    Thr3e

    August 29th, 2008 2:07 pm

    I like The cover of Van Halen – 1984 … That cool

    0
  24. 224

    S.

    September 15th, 2008 5:04 am

    Love the Keane one. The designer’s name seems like a Finnish one (not sure if it is), so here’s one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen, it’s from a Finnish band. The impact between colorful pattern of the cover and b/w imagery of the booklet is stunning (these web versions don’t look that great though)

    http://www.behance.net/Gallery/ItkevA-tyttA-Hiljainen-Berliini/84657

    0
  25. 225

    kevin mc Ilhinney

    September 19th, 2008 3:03 am

    Looking for inspiration for a graphic design essay on “typography of Album covers since 1980″, please can anyone help.
    thanx.

    0
  26. 226

    Doraemon

    September 23rd, 2008 12:03 am

    You should put SM Town Summer 2007 album cover on the list.. The cover contains some liquid. Very interesting.

    Here’s the link if you want to see:
    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/1611532000_18d302e4d9.jpg

    0
  27. 227

    Leandro Pena

    September 24th, 2008 8:59 am

    Nice post!!!
    Note: Yes “Relayer” by Roger Dean; Dream Theater “Scenes From a Memory” by Dave McKean; Pink Floyd “The Division Bell” by Storm Torgensen

    0
  28. 228

    sagol

    October 6th, 2008 6:32 pm
    0
  29. 229

    Mark

    October 9th, 2008 6:59 am

    Wheres ‘Court of the Crimson King’ by King Crimson ?

    0
  30. 230

    amoondoo

    October 13th, 2008 8:40 am

    what about kanya west graduation? great graphic design

    0
  31. 231

    amoondoo

    October 13th, 2008 8:40 am

    what about kanye west: graduation? great graphic design

    0
  32. 232

    Guilherme

    October 13th, 2008 12:18 pm

    Nice compilation, but I think that in that compilation you should have put some cover of Journey. All of them are so beautiful and conceptual.

    0
  33. 233

    Long View

    October 14th, 2008 12:07 pm

    Surprisingly narrow and pedestrian. My, my, you ARE young, aren’t you???

    Had it not been for the Moby Grape cover, I would have completely given up on you. HINT: After Bathing At Baxter’s, Jefferson Airplane, circa 1966.

    0
  34. 234

    Raven

    October 16th, 2008 11:49 am

    very nice albums. nothing really to my taste but very very nice. i would really like to see some with grim reapers. i need some ideas for my bands album. lol

    0
  35. 235

    Brooklyn

    October 16th, 2008 11:53 am

    Okaiz. So. Im thinkin that the new Cute Is What We Aim For “Rotation” cover should be on here because i really like the way they use the objects to make the shape of a butterfly and its really colorful. It also contrasts with the grey-ish background. I really like it.

    0
  36. 236

    onni

    October 16th, 2008 11:54 am

    cool but u need to get death metal music covers

    0
  37. 237

    asf

    October 16th, 2008 12:10 pm

    i think these are simply beautiful,
    if you have something to complain about then why dont you start your own site.

    0
  38. 238

    Manabaron

    October 20th, 2008 4:08 pm

    Hi
    Thanks beautiful album

    subject add see http://www.opsiyonblog.com

    0
  39. 239

    Ale

    October 30th, 2008 4:08 pm

    I’m missing at least one of the jazz album covers from the 50′s. Here’s a publication with a bunch of them: http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/popculture/all/01899/facts.jazz_covers.htm

    0
  40. 240

    alain

    November 23rd, 2008 7:18 am

    Ozma – Melvins

    0
  41. 241

    pixie thumbilina

    December 15th, 2008 2:33 pm

    first off im amazed that they would put the smashing pumpkins zeigiest album cover up , over all the other interesting ones…album art shouldnt be boreing….the zeigiest album sucks anywhoo…looks like greenday gone emo wannabe political statement .the only statement is that the album designer blows!!!!!!!!!!!IM not hating , the smashing pumpkins are awesome but , how humiliating for such a good band.

    0
  42. 242

    mroofka_Z

    December 22nd, 2008 4:48 pm

    You should put there one of Iron Maidens covers with Eddie – they changed the way metal-covers are designed.
    August Burns Red – Thrill Seeker… should be there also.
    And definitely Black Light Burns – Cruel Melody (the one with hands).

    Also, “Indestructible” by Disturbed is worth mentioning, i think.

    0
  43. 243

    Mike

    January 3rd, 2009 3:26 pm

    I am an inspiring graphic designer and I’ve always wanted to design music ablum covers (cover art for books, video games, and various covers in general). If this is what I wanted to do primarily, could anyone point me in the right direction?

    0
  44. 244

    luom

    January 18th, 2009 6:02 pm

    ok

    0
  45. 245

    David

    February 27th, 2009 12:55 pm

    They are very good but I addit the cover of the lp Mike Oldfield’s The Complete. It´s Great photo.

    0
  46. 246

    ryan thompson

    March 2nd, 2009 5:34 pm

    I liked the album art. My two favorite covers weren’t on it though: In Flames: Reruite to remain and Rise Againts: Revolutions per minute. You should check them out, they’re worth seeing.

    0
  47. 247

    lovebunny

    March 23rd, 2009 11:12 am

    this is a really nice compilation and it has some very inspiring artwork. i just dont like elton john that much!

    0
  48. 248

    Billy Bob

    March 24th, 2009 11:52 am

    these are some very good choices. but elton john is not good.

    0
  49. 249

    Joed

    March 24th, 2009 11:57 am

    This is super cool! I love how you worked your imagination and came up with many masterpeices! I love the Deerhunter one, it messes with your eyes! 0.o

    0
  50. 250

    Brittney

    March 24th, 2009 11:59 am

    michael jackson-dangerous album cover was very unique…

    0
  51. 251

    Emily

    March 24th, 2009 12:05 pm

    I liked the end has a a start. The cover shows alot of motion. I adore the michanical look to the structure inside the wooshing motion, It is a very cool peice. =)

    +2
  52. 252

    Dwayne Michael Carter III

    March 24th, 2009 12:09 pm

    i think the “Nightmare” album cover by Lil’ Wayne should be apart of these album covers, it would make this page more unique

    -7
    • 253

      sarge

      June 8th, 2011 2:15 am

      why don’t you spend less time d*ck riding Lil Wayne and start your own site? This way you can put all the Wayne covers that you want and stop trying to tell people what they should have on their own site. What clown! And I like Wayne.

      0
  53. 254

    WADE#3

    March 24th, 2009 12:14 pm

    i like all of these but it shouldve included SOAD’s debut album by the same name

    0
  54. 255

    Big NO

    March 25th, 2009 11:48 am

    they were very cool and interesting to look at.

    -1
  55. 256

    Rudeeeee

    March 25th, 2009 11:48 am

    The album covers are TITE! i like The Mars Volta album cover!

    +1
  56. 257

    Nightmare N!cholas

    March 26th, 2009 11:38 am

    There are a lot of great works and some of my favorite albums of all time are on this list. I don’t like the song that well, but I love the album cover for Gallows: in the belly of a shark. The song is decent but the album cover is amazing.

    0
  57. 258

    LOOPY LIZARD PANTS!

    March 26th, 2009 11:53 am

    LED ZEPPLIN SUCKS!! PINK FLOYD ROCKS! SO DOES THE REST OF THE BANDDSSS! MUSIC IS LIFE. PEACE OUT!!

    -6
    • 259

      Rammy McManly

      May 30th, 2011 9:22 pm

      Led Zeppelin was great

      +1
  58. 260

    chuckbutler

    May 15th, 2009 6:57 pm

    I enjoyed looking through your list, but I think KISS “Destroyer” is a serious oversight.

    +1
  59. 261

    SonyaLynn

    May 21st, 2009 11:59 pm

    Some criminally-overlooked covers…

    Porcupine Tree, “Fear of a Blank Planet”
    Levitation, “Need For Not”
    Andy Prieboy, “…upon my wicked son” and “Sins of My Fathers”
    King Crimson, “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” and “Discipline”
    Jethro Tull, “Thick As a Brick”
    Pure Reason Revolution, “The Dark Third”
    Barkmarket, “Vegas Throat”
    ELP, “Brain Salad Surgery” (HR Giger, for crying out loud!)
    Eloy, “Colours”
    The Mars Volta, “Deloused In the Comatorium”
    Mike Oldfield, “Tubular Bells”
    Primus, “Frizzle Fry”
    VAST, “Visual Audio Sensory Theater”
    Devo, “Q: Are We Not Men?”

    +2
  60. 262

    Sean-Alan

    May 29th, 2009 5:01 am

    Lykke Li is defiantly missing, i love her album cover it’s very victorian inspired.

    0
  61. 263

    Fabiano Melo-Natal Brazil

    August 7th, 2009 12:11 pm

    Friends, I love the major of cover you have posted herr,but for me the one of the most beautiful album cover is Nirvana Nevermind.

    B.r

    0
  62. 264

    Fabiano Melo-Natal Brazil

    August 7th, 2009 12:13 pm

    Friends, I love the major of covers you have posted here,but for me the one of the most beautiful album cover is Nirvana Nevermind.

    0
  63. 265

    luiz

    September 13th, 2009 9:30 am

    only one from New Order? it is clearly the band with the best covers ever, perhaps the list should have at least the Technique one
    but good list anyway

    0
  64. 266

    steve

    October 6th, 2009 11:35 am

    Would liked to have seen Blue Note represented but your list gets mega points for the inclusion of Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s, Lift Your Skinny Fists…

    Thanks for the cool article.

    0
  65. 267

    TayMan

    October 27th, 2009 7:05 pm

    Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips!!

    0
  66. 268

    Anne

    December 6th, 2009 12:54 pm

    Absolutely wicked… Love the creative, clever and talented artwork.
    One to add… please?
    Powderfinger’s 1st? album cover… it won the Aria for Best Album Cover Art.

    0
  67. 269

    Labbai

    December 31st, 2009 3:13 am

    Dunno if anyone ever posted this suggestion, but Rod Stewart’s Foot Loose & Fancy Free has the most beautiful cover art ever. Not to talk about the booklet inside. So there. I’m talking about vinyl LP cover arts. Ok? No cd’s…

    0
  68. 270

    Labbai

    December 31st, 2009 3:20 am

    Dunno if anyone ever posted this suggestion, but Rod Stewart’s Foot Loose & Fancy Free has the most beautiful cover art ever. Not to talk about the booklet inside. So there.

    +1
  69. 271

    stevejobs

    January 20th, 2010 1:53 pm

    love those covers! should’ve had dookie by green day though

    -2
  70. 272

    doozer

    February 12th, 2010 11:15 pm

    Mansun’s ‘Attack of the Grey Lantern’ and ‘Six’ are both good, check those covers out.

    Blur ‘Modern Life is Rubbish’ and ‘Think Tank’

    well there’s hundreds of great album covers (and lots of bad ones).

    0
  71. 273

    daniel

    April 29th, 2010 6:22 am

    Fragile – Yes
    that’s just beaty art

    +2
  72. 274

    Jacob

    April 29th, 2010 10:22 am

    How did Nirvana’s Nevermind not make it on here? it’s probably one of the most iconic album covers of all time, let alone being pure genious.

    -1
  73. 275

    Glenn

    May 4th, 2010 7:22 pm

    I liked the artwork. Suprisingly some of my personal favorites are on this list too. thanks for sharing your collection with us.

    0
  74. 276

    Thorsten

    May 22nd, 2010 10:31 am

    I don’t know if it has been mentioned yet, but I really think “Under Byen: Af Samme Stof Som Stof” deserves a place on the list.

    http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/u/under-byen/album-samme-stof-som-stof.jpg

    0
  75. 277

    Iain

    May 26th, 2010 10:00 am

    Dust – Hard Attack should be in this list.

    0
  76. 278

    Gary

    June 1st, 2010 9:50 am

    Only ONE Roger Dean cover? (Yes’s “Relayer”). He could have easily had 5 of his covers in this top 35 list. “Tales From Topographic Oceans” alone should be in the top 5 of this list. Some great Album art here, but some great omissions, too!

    +1
  77. 279

    willie

    June 8th, 2010 1:39 pm

    Talk about inspirational; music AND design together. My wife is utilizing the album covers as inspiration for her interior design stile-ings. Check these out:

    http://bit.ly/aZ9HUS (Flaming Lips)

    http://bit.ly/cClPuC (BlackStar, Bjork,
    Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

    http://bit.ly/avHCHH (Just Jack, The LK)

    http://bit.ly/bWpMWI (Crystal Castles, Cut
    Copy, Passion Pit, Cold Cave, Jay
    Electronica, The xx)

    Thank you very much for ‘listening.’

    +1
  78. 280

    e11world

    June 29th, 2010 3:45 pm

    My favorite one is Michael Jackson’s Dangerous!!! I LOVE IT!

    0
  79. 281

    Paris

    November 7th, 2010 5:37 pm

    Surprised you didn’t include the album cover for Zepher’s Sunset Ride, –the blue one with the big white plane flying across an orange moon. It’s beautiful. I’ve seen the cover art many times/places, but nobody seems to have heard of the album except me : – )

    +1
  80. 282

    Jake

    December 29th, 2010 11:25 pm

    Few that definitely need to be mentioned:

    Tool’s Salival
    Rage Against The Machine’s title album
    Senryu’s Inkling
    Led Zepplin’s Houses Of The Holy
    Kasabian’s Empire

    0
  81. 283

    Daniel

    January 23rd, 2011 8:04 pm

    Some brilliant album covers here.
    Other beautiful covers are:
    Gloves – Operator Please
    Like Magic (Single) – Operator Please
    Harmony – NeverShoutNever!
    Into The Blue Again – The Album Leaf
    Afterglow (EP) – For Our Hero

    0
  82. 284

    luke

    March 15th, 2011 6:29 pm

    i think “Rise or Die Trying” by Four Year Strong should be up here. its got the best album cover ever. or theire other album, im not sure what its called

    0
  83. 285

    mike

    May 17th, 2011 6:03 am

    wow you guys suck at counting. there arent 35 albums here, theres actually 55 (not including the columbia pictures/records one)

    0
  84. 286

    Rammy McManly

    May 30th, 2011 9:26 pm

    check out the cover of Rainbow – Rising and Motorhead – Another Perfect Day. Two of THE best album covers of all time.

    0
  85. 287

    faida

    June 25th, 2011 3:15 am

    why don’t you put “a fever you can’t sweat out” from panic! at the disco.
    it’s definetly the most artistic album cover i’ve ever seen.

    0
  86. 288

    G. Nollid

    July 13th, 2011 7:40 am

    It is a great variety, but I think there are some other albums to consider. OneRepublic has some nice expressive covers, with “Dreaming Out Loud” and “Waking Up”. Owl City has truly beautiful album covers, that perfectly convey his message of dreaminess, like “Maybe I’m Dreaming”, “Ocean Eyes”, and his new one, “All Things Bright and Beautiful”. I wish you would take out the comments with expletives.

    0
  87. 289

    jjharris6

    July 20th, 2011 8:55 pm

    awolnation’s album cover is soooo insane

    0
  88. 290

    Paul

    August 4th, 2011 4:35 am

    Can’t believe there are no Meatloaf covers in the selection! Bat Out of Hell 1 & 2, surely?

    0
  89. 291

    Mandy

    August 22nd, 2011 1:14 pm

    The Circa Survive cover is by Esao Andrews, one of my favorite artists – http://www.esao.net/index.php

    -1
  90. 292

    César

    August 24th, 2011 7:44 pm

    Buscaba algo interesante como fondo de pantalla, gracias a esto di con Mark Ryden / I was looking for something interesting for my pc wallpaper, thanks to this website I found Mark Ryden.

    0
  91. 293

    Miles D

    September 8th, 2011 7:16 pm

    I’m really glad you put Beck in there.
    However I think Odelay is a classic album cover.

    0
  92. 294

    Linda

    October 31st, 2011 1:49 pm

    Hi. Someone who knows who designed Buckcherry´s album cover for the album “time bomb” and “buckcherry” ??

    0
  93. 295

    albi

    November 7th, 2011 4:10 pm

    i think vampire state building by alcatraz should be in this selection!

    +1
  94. 296

    Spen

    November 12th, 2011 2:38 am

    I feel that these album covers should have been mentioned:

    Telegram by Björk- http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegram_(album)

    Liquid Swords by Gza- http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_Swords

    Portishead by Portishead- http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portishead_(album)

    0
  95. 297

    fritolay

    November 27th, 2011 1:44 pm

    Your missing a couple of dots on Endtroducing…..

    0
  96. 298

    Chris

    December 16th, 2011 12:11 am

    I’d like to blow a couple of these (and other) covers up onto canvas to hang on the wall. You need a good digital file to blow it up much. Anyone know how to get ahold of hi res digital files of album covers (not the tiny low res ipod ones)? I’m willing to pay for them, but haven’t had much luck. Thanks.

    0
  97. 299

    Emmanuel

    January 19th, 2012 3:32 am

    I love this post I still got Michael’s LP “Dangerous” I’m so happy to still have it.
    YOu shoulda included “Kanye West – Graduation Cover”

    0

  1. 1

    Emily

    March 24th, 2009 12:05 pm

    I liked the end has a a start. The cover shows alot of motion. I adore the michanical look to the structure inside the wooshing motion, It is a very cool peice. =)

    +2
  2. 2

    SonyaLynn

    May 21st, 2009 11:59 pm

    Some criminally-overlooked covers…

    Porcupine Tree, “Fear of a Blank Planet”
    Levitation, “Need For Not”
    Andy Prieboy, “…upon my wicked son” and “Sins of My Fathers”
    King Crimson, “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” and “Discipline”
    Jethro Tull, “Thick As a Brick”
    Pure Reason Revolution, “The Dark Third”
    Barkmarket, “Vegas Throat”
    ELP, “Brain Salad Surgery” (HR Giger, for crying out loud!)
    Eloy, “Colours”
    The Mars Volta, “Deloused In the Comatorium”
    Mike Oldfield, “Tubular Bells”
    Primus, “Frizzle Fry”
    VAST, “Visual Audio Sensory Theater”
    Devo, “Q: Are We Not Men?”

    +2
  3. 3

    daniel

    April 29th, 2010 6:22 am

    Fragile – Yes
    that’s just beaty art

    +2
  4. 4

    albi

    November 7th, 2011 4:10 pm

    i think vampire state building by alcatraz should be in this selection!

    +1
  5. 5

    Rammy McManly

    May 30th, 2011 9:22 pm

    Led Zeppelin was great

    +1
  6. 6

    Karinne

    August 8th, 2008 10:31 am

    Wow! A Dream Theater album made the cut! I’m impressed! :) \m/

    The Odyssey or Paradise Lost by Symphony X could easily make the cut as well … same with some Ayeron ;)

    Great list!

    +1
  7. 7

    -]Phatp[-

    August 13th, 2008 8:31 am

    the Soulwax cover OWNS

    +1
  8. 8

    Rudeeeee

    March 25th, 2009 11:48 am

    The album covers are TITE! i like The Mars Volta album cover!

    +1
  9. 9

    chuckbutler

    May 15th, 2009 6:57 pm

    I enjoyed looking through your list, but I think KISS “Destroyer” is a serious oversight.

    +1
  10. 10

    Labbai

    December 31st, 2009 3:20 am

    Dunno if anyone ever posted this suggestion, but Rod Stewart’s Foot Loose & Fancy Free has the most beautiful cover art ever. Not to talk about the booklet inside. So there.

    +1
  11. 11

    willie

    June 8th, 2010 1:39 pm

    Talk about inspirational; music AND design together. My wife is utilizing the album covers as inspiration for her interior design stile-ings. Check these out:

    http://bit.ly/aZ9HUS (Flaming Lips)

    http://bit.ly/cClPuC (BlackStar, Bjork,
    Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

    http://bit.ly/avHCHH (Just Jack, The LK)

    http://bit.ly/bWpMWI (Crystal Castles, Cut
    Copy, Passion Pit, Cold Cave, Jay
    Electronica, The xx)

    Thank you very much for ‘listening.’

    +1
  12. 12

    Gary

    June 1st, 2010 9:50 am

    Only ONE Roger Dean cover? (Yes’s “Relayer”). He could have easily had 5 of his covers in this top 35 list. “Tales From Topographic Oceans” alone should be in the top 5 of this list. Some great Album art here, but some great omissions, too!

    +1
  13. 13

    Paris

    November 7th, 2010 5:37 pm

    Surprised you didn’t include the album cover for Zepher’s Sunset Ride, –the blue one with the big white plane flying across an orange moon. It’s beautiful. I’ve seen the cover art many times/places, but nobody seems to have heard of the album except me : – )

    +1

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