For me, this is an incredible cover. It invokes such awe and power, leaving one to only imagine that the music it represents much be equally as audacious and epic. That is the purpose of good album art. Similar to what a movie poster should do, album art sets the tone for your experience. In some cases, album art even overshadows the music itself. Think about Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I doubt you thought about the menacing sound collages that tie the tracks together or the emotional catharsis that is "Eclipse," although those are the lasting impacts of the album on me. You probably, like me, saw this:
The simplicity of the cover, the use of dark space, and the iconic splitting of the beam of light all work towards representing the sonic properties of the album visually.
However, for how important album art can be, as the industry shifted formats, the art that once demanded two hands to hold and view was reduced to a hand-held cassette. Although still small, the slightly larger CD medium brought album art back to its original shape, but in the wake of vinyl, it pales in comparison. Now as the medium shifts swiftly towards total digitization, I fear for album art's future. Because for me, the art is just as big of a part of the album as the music itself--when executed properly, that is.
So let's celebrate our favorite album covers of past and present. Sound off below and list at least one album cover pre-90s and one album cover 90s to now that has significant meaning to you.
For me, I'll contribute the historic cover for the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and the Mars Volta's De-loused in the Comatorium. The former is mentioned for its complexity, scope, and hidden messages; the latter, its sheer macabre simplicity.
If you find the picture online, be sure to post a link so any uninitiated can celebrate your favorites.
