Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week '26
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Footloose!
  • Di Meola on Pastorius and more
  • Frank Ocean
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Singles And Albums

The worst album covers ever #3: illustrated

News
By Chris Vinnicombe
Published 5 June 2009

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Fleetwood Mac - Mystery To Me

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.

Page 1 of 20
Page 1 of 20
Aberfeldy - Young Forever

Aberfeldy - Young Forever

Page 2 of 20
Page 2 of 20
The Kinks - Schoolboys In Disgrace

The Kinks - Schoolboys In Disgrace

Page 3 of 20
Page 3 of 20
Various Artists - Uncontrolled Laxative Abuse

Various Artists - Uncontrolled Laxative Abuse

Page 4 of 20
Page 4 of 20
Queen - A Kind Of Magic

Queen - A Kind Of Magic

Page 5 of 20
Page 5 of 20
May Blitz - May Blitz

May Blitz - May Blitz

Page 6 of 20
Page 6 of 20
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Live It Up

Crosby, Stills & Nash - Live It Up

Page 7 of 20
Page 7 of 20
Nantucket - Nantucket

Nantucket - Nantucket

Page 8 of 20
Page 8 of 20
Dethkorpz - Metal Tit

Dethkorpz - Metal Tit

Page 9 of 20
Page 9 of 20
Frank Black - The Cult Of Ray

Frank Black - The Cult Of Ray

Page 10 of 20
Page 10 of 20
George Jones - I Wanta Sing

George Jones - I Wanta Sing

Page 11 of 20
Page 11 of 20
Scorpions - Fly To The Rainbow

Scorpions - Fly To The Rainbow

Page 12 of 20
Page 12 of 20
Bonnie Raitt - Home Plate

Bonnie Raitt - Home Plate

Page 13 of 20
Page 13 of 20
Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water

Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water

Page 14 of 20
Page 14 of 20
Pantera - Metal Magic

Pantera - Metal Magic

Page 15 of 20
Page 15 of 20
Johnny Otis - Snatch And The Poontangs

Johnny Otis - Snatch And The Poontangs

Page 16 of 20
Page 16 of 20
The Human Instinct - Stoned Guitar

The Human Instinct - Stoned Guitar

Page 17 of 20
Page 17 of 20
XTC - Drums And Wires

XTC - Drums And Wires

Page 18 of 20
Page 18 of 20
Moby Grape - Wow

Moby Grape - Wow

Page 19 of 20
Page 19 of 20
Whore - Unfinished Business

Whore - Unfinished Business

Liked this? Now read: The worst album covers ever #1: heavy metal

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Get MusicRadar straight to your inbox: Sign up for the free weekly newsletter

...

Page 20 of 20
Page 20 of 20
Chris Vinnicombe

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.

Latest in Singles And Albums
Daft Punk as they appeared for Fortnite
Singles And Albums Daft Punk say 'non' to One More Time – duo turned down “unlimited budget” to reunite for GTA VI soundtrack
 
 
Zara Larsson performs during All Points East 2026 at Victoria Park on August 22, 2026 in London, England.
Artists Zara Larsson on why she worried about performing her hit single Midnight Sun
 
 
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Singles And Albums Watching The Wildlife: The failure of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s Liverpool, 40 years on
 
 
Blondie
Singles And Albums A new Blondie album, featuring Clem Burke's final sessions, is coming out in early 2027
 
 
Justice Grand Theft Auto VI
Artists Justice channel the '80s spirit of Dire Straits as they're confirmed as GTA VI soundtrack composers
 
 
Jimmy Page is playing a Gibson EDS-1275 double necked guitar.
Bands “This was a song that made sense to introduce the film to the world”: Stairway To Heaven is finally licensed to a film
 
 
Latest in News
Daft Punk as they appeared for Fortnite
Singles And Albums Daft Punk say 'non' to One More Time – duo turned down “unlimited budget” to reunite for GTA VI soundtrack
 
 
yamaha
Keyboards & Pianos Yamaha expands its CK Series with 76-key stage keyboard and OS 2.0 firmware update
 
 
MXR M400 Turbo Tuner
Guitars The only tuner you'll ever need? MXR teams up with Sonic Research for its first-ever guitar tuner – and it's “accurate to a fraction of a cent”
 
 
Spotify and AI
Streaming “As spammers change tactics, we’ll keep updating our systems”: Spotify remove 75 million spam AI tracks
 
 
Technics SL-1210MKX
Turntables Technics’ new SL-1210MKX turntable promises greater stability and finer pitch control
 
 
Ovation Viper
Guitars This cult-classic electric played by Rick Parfitt, Alex Turner and Jeff Buckley is making a comeback
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...