Over the past 5-6 decades, album covers have become more and more artistic, to the point where the best of them deserve a place in this blog. They featured prominently in the past, and of course they will be present in the new set-up. I have gone for a grouping per years of release (covering 2-3 years per post). I will try not to include the most famous album covers (like Sergeant Pepper, Dark Side of the Moon, Nevermind), but focus on more obscure but very good examples. Also the aim is no duplication of acts within one post. These posts are meant to be illustrative only, not necessarily my personal top twelve for the time period. The image above is created via Photofunia and is free from copyright issues.
Neue Sterne by Anyone's Daughter (1983)
Neue Sterne is the fourth studio album by German progressive rock band Anyone's Daughter. The impressive art work on the cover is by Wolfgang Blanke.
War by U2 (1983)
War is the third studio album by Irish rock band U2. The boy on the cover is Peter Rowen, who also appears on the covers of their debut Boy, and a few other albums and singles. Bono described the reasoning behind the cover: "Instead of putting tanks and guns on the cover, we've put a child's face. War can also be a mental thing, an emotional thing between loves. It doesn't have to be a physical thing." The photograph is by Ian Finlay.
Script for a Jester's Tear by Marillion (1983)
Script for a Jester's Tear is the debut studio album by British neo-progressive rock band Marillion. Their covers, both for albums and singles, really stood out, thanks to the artwork by Mark Wilkinson.
The Hurting by Tears For Fears (1983)
The Hurting is the debut studio album by British new wave band Tears for Fears. The cover reflects the album title in a perfect minimalist way. The photography is by Peter Ashworth.
Touch by Eurythmics (1983)
Touch is the third studio album by British synth-pop duo Eurythmics. The cover shows singer Annie Lennox wearing a mask, that caused some commotion at the time - apparently this type was popular in the BDSM scene. The photography is once more by Peter Ashworth.
Eliminator by ZZ Top (1983)
Eliminator is the eighth studio album by American rock band ZZ Top. Their music does not really do it for me, but this album cover is a stunner. The album was named for a drag racing term and the cover features band leader's Gibbons's newly customized 1933 Ford coupe. The cover illustration is by Tom Hunnicutt.
It's My Life by Talk Talk (1984)
It's My Life is the second studio album by English New Wave band Talk Talk. In hindsight, this band made some of the best albums of the decade, and the same goes for their covers. This particular cover is by illustrator James Marsh, incorporating elements of The Boyhood of Raleigh by John Everett Millais.
Some Great Reward by Depeche Mode (1984)
Some Great Reward is the fourth studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. The cover features an interesting juxtaposition of a romantic image of a wedding couple and an non-romantic industrial environment. The photograph was taken by Brian Griffin in the Round Oak Steelworks in Brierley Hill, England, shortly before its demolition.
It'll End in Tears by This Mortal Coil (1984)
It'll End in Tears is the first album released by 4AD collective This Mortal Coil, an umbrella title for a loose grouping of guest musicians and vocalists brought together by label boss Ivo Watts-Russell. It is widely regarded as one of the best dream pop albums ever made. The cover matches the music perfectly, but unfortunately I could not retrieve whom to credit for it.
Various Positions by Leonard Cohen (1984)
Various Positions is the seventh studio album by Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. The cover features a striking portrait of the artist - and it is very unfortunate that once again I could not find any information on the artist responsible.
Stationary Traveller by Camel (1984)
Stationary Traveller is the tenth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. Like much of Camel's output, it is a concept album, in this case centering on the trials of East German refugees attempting to cross the Berlin Wall from East Berlin into West Berlin. The atmospheric art work for the cover is credited to Artwork by Artifex Studio, London.
Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen (1984)
Ocean Rain is the fourth studio album by the English New Wave band Echo & the Bunnymen. As with their previous albums, the album cover was designed by Martyn Atkins and the photography was by Brian Griffin. The photograph used on the cover is a picture of the band in a rowing boat which was taken inside Carnglaze Caverns, Liskeard, Cornwall.
Copyright statement: posting lower quality album covers is deemed fair use.
