My Favorite Album Covers, Part 2
A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about an art form that is often overlooked: album covers. While not usually considered fine art, the best album covers require as much creativity and ingenuity to produce as any Old Master painting. Representing music in visual form is certainly an artistic challenge and, at that, one that has produced fascinating results.
With this in mind, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite album covers (favorites from an artistic perspective, I should add). So, in no particular order, let me dive into my favorite album artwork.
Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers - When it comes to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s basically a rule that their albums have interesting cover art. I don’t think it’s all good from an artistic perspective, but Californication is definitely some sort of alternative rock Mona Lisa, both artistically and musically. The cover art of this album is just so wonderfully weird and creative. It depicts what seems to be a swimming pool full of lava with an aggressively blue sky as a backdrop. The cover captures the overarching theme of the music, disaffection and loneliness in the modern world. Plus, visually it’s a pop art masterpiece.
Rumors by Fleetwood Mac - There are few album covers that are more iconic than Rumors. I don’t often talk about the art of photography, but the picture of Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood that graces the cover of this album is as near to perfect (and as weird) as photographs get. It’s almost like some Pre-Raphaelite, Shakespearean dream come true. In any case, this photo captures the energy and dynamism of the band in a memorable and charming way.
Skeletons from the Closet by Grateful Dead - As much as I like the Grateful Dead, I don’t always like their album cover art (in fact, I almost never like it, but that’s not really the point of the Dead). This cover, however, is different. The skeleton crowned with roses is one of the band’s many iconic symbols, which they reference here along with a node to Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus. The skull is a reference to the name of the band (emphasis on the Dead part), while the roses represent remembrance and happier days. It’s a creative, yet meaningful cover design.
Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin - The album cover for Led Zeppelin’s classic album Houses of the Holy is both super iconic and super weird. The cover is composed of layered and tinted photos that were taken at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The cover was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction novel Childhood’s End, and let’s just say that the results are mythical, otherworldly, and fantastic. The story of how the image was actually created is very interesting and somewhat dramatic, and there is an excellent Medium article about it if you want to learn more.
With this in mind, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite album covers (favorites from an artistic perspective, I should add). So, in no particular order, let me dive into my favorite album artwork.
Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers - When it comes to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s basically a rule that their albums have interesting cover art. I don’t think it’s all good from an artistic perspective, but Californication is definitely some sort of alternative rock Mona Lisa, both artistically and musically. The cover art of this album is just so wonderfully weird and creative. It depicts what seems to be a swimming pool full of lava with an aggressively blue sky as a backdrop. The cover captures the overarching theme of the music, disaffection and loneliness in the modern world. Plus, visually it’s a pop art masterpiece.
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| Californication Source: Amazon |
Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt - I’m not always a fan of No Doubt’s music, but, for one reason or another, I’ve always been in love with the album art for their seminal album Tragic Kingdom. Gwen Stefani’s iconic red dress paired with the leafless tree and rotting apples paint a picture of American wholesomeness gone sour. The cover summons echoes of the great drama of Romanticism.
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| Tragic Kingdom Source: Nebraska Furniture Mart |
Rumors by Fleetwood Mac - There are few album covers that are more iconic than Rumors. I don’t often talk about the art of photography, but the picture of Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood that graces the cover of this album is as near to perfect (and as weird) as photographs get. It’s almost like some Pre-Raphaelite, Shakespearean dream come true. In any case, this photo captures the energy and dynamism of the band in a memorable and charming way.
 |
| Rumors Source: NPR |
Skeletons from the Closet by Grateful Dead - As much as I like the Grateful Dead, I don’t always like their album cover art (in fact, I almost never like it, but that’s not really the point of the Dead). This cover, however, is different. The skeleton crowned with roses is one of the band’s many iconic symbols, which they reference here along with a node to Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus. The skull is a reference to the name of the band (emphasis on the Dead part), while the roses represent remembrance and happier days. It’s a creative, yet meaningful cover design.
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| Skeletons from the Closet Source: Artsy |
Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin - The album cover for Led Zeppelin’s classic album Houses of the Holy is both super iconic and super weird. The cover is composed of layered and tinted photos that were taken at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The cover was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction novel Childhood’s End, and let’s just say that the results are mythical, otherworldly, and fantastic. The story of how the image was actually created is very interesting and somewhat dramatic, and there is an excellent Medium article about it if you want to learn more.
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| Houses of the Holy Source: Festival Peak |
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