Ha! Massive thread bumping!
Aside from creating a new thread, I new this one was out there. But I'm not going to contribute completely on topic. I found a great list of amazing artwork in album covers.
While recording artists and bands are busy recording their albums, a separate effort is usually being made behind the scenes to plan for the launch, promotion and circulation of the new tracks. The creation of album cover art is an intergral part of this process.
Some album covers feature heavily edited and airbrushed vanity photos of the musicians or recording artists. Thankfully, others are much more creative and work to create a cover image that reflects the mood, attitude or feel of the music it promotes. The most striking designs are those that capture both a buyer’s attention and the essense of the music.
The CD cover art designs and concepts featured in this showcase present dramatic, quirky, unusual or unique artwork. This type of cover art can make a big difference when a little-known band releases an album. Captivating or iconic cover art can make a band instantly recognizable, which increases sales, which in turn boosts airplay and subsequently demand for the music. Mainstream marketing is rarely this attractive, and the wide variety of beautiful CD cover art makes browsing CDs an enjoyable experience that reaches far beyond the music.
It must be noted that a collection of this nature is never complete, and the value of art is very personal and subjective. While we may love the familiar cover art of some classic favourites because we love the bands and the music, a critical look at the cover art can often be a disappointment. For the purposes of this cross-section of remarkable and obscure cd cover art we have chosen to ignore the musical genius of the albums in favor of showcasing brilliant cover art.
Rush - Power Windows (1985)
Aside from the fact that most Rush covers prior to 1995 were all awesome.
Osaka Popstar - Rock’em O-Sock’em Live! (2008)
This gruesome cover is meant to be humorous, but may err on the side of bizarre. What look to be dollish little men have lost their heads, and perhaps some sales opportunities as well.
Neutral Milk Hotel - The Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998)
Vintage-looking and abstract, this beautiful coverart begs for an explaination.
Tool - Ænima (1996)
One of many brilliant cover art designs for Tool, this one is also a stunning optical illusion.
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
The street-art feel of this cover art is both comical and slightly unsettling.
Electric Light Orchestra - Out Of The Blue (1977)
This ELO cover art is classic and unforgettable.
Jerry Goodman - Ariel (1986)
Who doesn’t love flying fish? This cover art is confusing without being annoying. Someone might pick up this CD just to try to figure out what is going on with the cover.
Daydreamer - Dialogue (2008)
Bold slpashes of gold and red are used on this cd cover, which features a clever typography image. Haunting eyes peek out from beyond a mass of golden words that serve as hair.
Nick Drake - Pink Moon (1992)
A little bit of everything was thrown into this odd but intriguing cover art.
Iron and Wine - The Shepherd’s Dog (2007)
Pop art is featured on thie cd cover. Bright colors and an abstract image are combined to create something visually stunning.
The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute (2005)
This cover art photo is organized confusion that might make would-be listeners curious about the music.
I'll post some more when I get the chance.