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Outstanding album covers of the last 20 years – Part 1
05th August 2008
This is album artwork you’d like to frame. Well alright, I’d like to frame. I had been looking for such a list recently, but I found they all listed the usual suspects from the 60s and 70s (and I’m not being ageist). So, I have chosen some covers of the last 20 years that I think are and should become classics.
My selection process was simple; choose artwork that was subtle and beautiful, over brash, post post ironic, neon, metal inspired etc. Art that is intriguing.
The list is a bit top heavy with many from last year, but these are obviously fresh in my mind. I will rectify this next time. So here we are…
The Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin
Art and design: George Salisbury
Year: 1999
This has haunted me ever since I saw it on the rack. The use of colours are to a minimum which adds its strength and the man looks forlorn. It has a spacey retro feel. Salisbury who also does the Flaming Lips lightshows and some of their videos, has really created a unique brand.
Boards of Canada: Music Has the Right to Children
Design: [Design] and Boards of Canada
Year: 1998
Very spooky but strangely beautiful and sad at the same time. No information on how this cover was conceived or designed.
Red House Painters: Down Colorful Hill
Art direction and design: Vaughan Oliver
Photography: Simon Larbalestier
Year: 1992
Much of Simon Larbalestier’s photography has been used on 4AD releases, most famously for the Pixies. Vaughan Oliver has been the distinctive designer behind 4AD catalogue through the 80s and 90s. The combined forces of Laralstier’s stark photography and the genius of Oliver made absolute beauty. The placing of the text is exquisite.
Efterklang: Parades
Design and illustration: Hvass&Hannibal in cooperation from Kasper and UFEX
Year: 2007
Hypnotic and amusing illustration from the Danish design and illustration duo Nan Na Hvass and Sofie Hannibal, long time collaborators with this unique band. Watch the wonderful video for Efterklang’s song Mirador, which builds on this illustration.
Foo Fighters: Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Design: Invisible Creature
Year: 2007
Great composition and nice idea for the bomb as amp valve. I love the offset text. Invisible Creature, a Seattle based design agency, are specialists in rock artwork and not the Iron Maiden inspired artwork of old.
Detail
Way Out West: Old Grooves for New Streets
Design: Protein Design
Photography: Nicola Loder
Year: 2007
Complex and original idea. Taking photographs from above the Piazza Della Signoria in Florence at different intervals, Nicola Loder stitched together a maze like scene.
Lambchop: Nixon
Design: Eric Bailey
Artist: Wayne White
Year: 2000
Another powerful image from Wayne White that is sinister as hell but also beautiful. He is also the guy who directed Peter Gabriel’s Big Time.
Sigur Ros: Takk
Design: Sigur Ros, Isak Winther, Alex Somers and Lukka Sigurðardóttir
Year: 2005
They have been making album covers like this for years, but I think this is the most successful and haunting. Captures the mood inside perfectly.
Okkervil River: The Stage Names
Art and design: William Schaff
Year: 2007
Much of Schaff’s work deals with the Holocaust and issues arising from terrorism, yet this image is more lyrical than usual. The original artwork was embroidered, which gives it that rough texture.
Band of Horses: Cease to Begin
Design: Dusty Summers
Photography: Christopher Wilson
Year: 2007
Dusty Summers who works with Sub Pop on many of their releases and Chris Wilson have combined neat and tight typography with beautiful imagery.
Comments
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1
Killian Laher said,
20 years? All Red House Painters album sleeves belong in here. And maybe their Dakota Suite counterparts?! In fact it’s hard to have an issue with any of these. Possibly make a case for Amorica by Black Crowes. Or Jar of Flies by Alice in Chains. Sonic Youth’s stuff I usually like too. And I really like the packaging of No Code by Pearl Jam. I always find that if I like the music, I like the sleeve more.
06th August 2008, 11:51
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Fergal said,
Outstanding album covers? Why don’t you debate a less contentious topic like abortion or euthanasia?
Killian’s spot on. I think only the detached design professional or Supreme Court Judge can be subjective about an album cover. For me, how I feel about the music completely dictates my attitude to the cover.
Love most of the covers, Way Out West and Efterklang in particular.
07th August 2008, 8:06
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David Hall said,
I do agree with all Red House Painters’ covers being up there, but I do only have 10 so far, maybe next time. No Code is an interesting one too.
I have been thinking about how you feel about the music dictating the attitude to the cover. If it’s music you really like, you forgive the artwork anything. Look at Abbey Road. Great album but really an over rated cover even for its time.
And I’ll be getting to euthanasia next week…
07th August 2008, 18:18
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Donal said,
In terms of classics, Ween’s cover for Chocolate & Cheese always stood out for me.
Lately, Dan F’s Rendition floated the boat.
That Band of Horse’s cover screams Nick Cave to me somehow ....
12th August 2008, 16:46
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Andrew Mc Nulty said,
Stone Roses
The Stone Roses - ICONIC
The cover of the Red House Painters reminds me of the work of Harry Thuillier Jnr, an Irish photographer who died tragically young some years back.
16th September 2008, 13:28
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David Hall said,
You’re right about Ian Thuillier. His work was very reminiscent of the Red House Painters covers.
13th October 2008, 9:14