April 13th, 2005
The best album covers of all time
A couple of weeks back on Sigla, Stuart Clarke, Assistant Editor of Hot Press told us his Top 10 album sleeves of all time. I think he made some great choices (the Grace Jones one is inspired) and I’ve been wracking my brain ever since to come up with my own favourites. First of all I thought it would be too difficult. Now I’m finding that I’m hard pushed to think of 10. Without fail, though, at the top of my list is the cover of Dead Can Dance’s Spleen and Ideal (right). It’s a stunning image, everything from the precariously perched building to the mysterious red cloaked woman with the white star.
Funkadelic’s One Nation Under a Groove would probably make it in as well for damn kitchness. I’d also opt for Paul’s Boutique by The Beastie Boys. It’s one of their finest records and the gatefold album shot is so quintessentially New York. Plus my friend Muiris used to love on Ludlow Street, which you can see the sign for. Sadly Paul’s very fine boutique is no longer there. The last one that gets into my top 10 no questions asked is Meat is Murder. It’s a toss up with lots of Smith’s covers (The Queen is Dead, Louder than Bombs) but there’s something timeless about most of their album sleeves, but Meat is Murder just stands out for me.
I’ll definitely give it some more thought. Anyone else got any stand-out favourites?
November 17th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Hi Sinead,
I found your blog while looking for interesting album covers. Here in Bethlehem PA we are having ‘favorite’ album cover window displays. I have a bookstore/cafe in Southside Bethlehem.
I’ll let you know if we use one of your choices.
Take care,
Merbrigit
February 5th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Reading this from the link on the Dead can Dance post. The Queen is Dead cover has long been my favourite - if I could paint, I’d have a giant version of Alain Delon on the landing wall. Alas, I cannot paint.