Fleetwood Mac - Mystery To Me
So far, our rundown of the most risible album artwork of all time has concentrated on musical genres, specifically heavy metal and hip-hop. This time around, we lampoon the pen and paintbrush-wielding illustrators whose crimes transcend genre boundaries.
When the LP was in its infancy, we can't imagine that discussions about the cover art were particularly fraught. Simply photograph the talent – first making sure they've dressed nicely and combed their hair – add easily-legible typography denoting artist name and album title, possibly augment with record label logo… job done.
However, as the rock album became a weightier artistic statement, so its sleeve art took on new levels of gravitas. A simple photograph of the band was no longer enough, something more ambitious was required…
This collection celebrates those moments when the artist behind the painting or illustration destined for the album cover has had a serious taste meltdown or imploded under the weight of their own pretension. And somehow the band, their management and everyone at their record label has either gone along for the ride, or been too wasted to care.
Aberfeldy - Young Forever
The Kinks - Schoolboys In Disgrace
Various Artists - Uncontrolled Laxative Abuse
Queen - A Kind Of Magic
May Blitz - May Blitz
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Live It Up
Nantucket - Nantucket
Dethkorpz - Metal Tit
Frank Black - The Cult Of Ray
George Jones - I Wanta Sing
Scorpions - Fly To The Rainbow
Bonnie Raitt - Home Plate
Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Pantera - Metal Magic
Johnny Otis - Snatch And The Poontangs
The Human Instinct - Stoned Guitar
XTC - Drums And Wires
Moby Grape - Wow
Whore - Unfinished Business
Liked this? Now read: The worst album covers ever #1: heavy metal
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