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.
Rain Dogs by Tom Waits (1985)
Hounds of Love by Kate Bush (1985)
Hounds of Love is the fifth studio album by English singer Kate Bush - and my personal chooice for best pop/rock album of all time. The photography for the sleeve (including Kate's dogs Bonnie and Clyde) was by her brother, John Carder Bush, and the sleeve design was by Bill Smith Studio and Kate Bush.
The Wake by IQ (1985)
The Wake is the second studio album by British neo-progressive rock band IQ. The cover art was designed by lead singer Peter Nicholls. In the image, most of the characters are original, except the central one, which is based on Canadian actress Rae Dawn Chong wearing clay face paint as Ika in the film Quest for Fire (1981). However, according to Nicholls, many fans of the band misinterpreted this as a self-portrait, since he wore extensive stage makeup at the time. In what is thought to be the earliest photograph ever taken of the band Radiohead, a poster of The Wake is shown on the wall behind Thom Yorke at Abingdon School (from Wikipedia).
Shock by The Motels (1985)
Shock is the fifth studio album by the American new wave band The Motels, best known for their earlier hit single Suddenly Last Summer. The cover of this album, depicting lead singer Martha Davis, is a beauty. Photography/illustration is credited to Tony Viramontes.
This Is The Sea by The Waterboys (1985)
This Is the Sea is the third studio album by the Scottish folk rock band The Waterboys, and their first commercial success, also because of the chart success of the single Whole of the Moon. The mysterious front cover photography is credited to Lynn Goldsmith.
Oh Blessed Freak Show by Nip Drivers (1985)
Oh Blessed Freak Show is the only studio album by American punk rock band Nip Drivers. I had never heard of the album or the band, but the cover same up in a search for today's post and I like it a lot. The cover art is credited to Michael Guerena.
Last Tracks by Anyone's Daughter (1986)
Last Tracks is the sixth studio album by German progressive rock band Anyone's Daughter. The album itself does not have a good reputation in the prog world, but the Art Nouveau style cover is amazing. Surprisingly, I could not find any information about the artist who created this.
The Colour of Spring by Talk Talk (1986)
The Colour of Spring is the third studio album by English art rock band Talk Talk. The album cover was designed by James Marsh, who also designed the band's other album covers. The cover depicts various moths crowded close together, two of which are positioned to form a face (from Wikipedia).
The Queen is Dead by The Smiths (1986)
The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by English rock band the Smiths, and generally seen as the highlight in their discography. The cover art features French actor Alain Delon in the 1964 film L'Insoumis.
True Blue by Madonna (1986)
True Blue is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna. One of the faces of the decade (as well as subsequent decades), and although except for a few songs I don't care for her music, this album cover is definitely one of the best of the year. The album cover, shot by photographer Herb Ritts, is one of her most recognizable pictures. The main colors in the picture are gray, white and various shades of blue to reinforce the album's title (from Wikipedia).
Electric Café by Kraftwerk (1986)
Electric Café is the ninth studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk. In general, their albums came with interesting covers, and this is one of the best. Band member Ralf Hütter and Johann Zambryski are credited for "original artwork reconstruction" and Hubert Kretzschmar for its design.
Filigree & Shadow by This Mortal Coil (1986)
Filigree & Shadow is the second 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. The cover photography is by Nigel Grierson, the cover model was Pallas Citroën. My personal favourite cover from these two years.
Copyright statement: posting lower quality album covers is deemed fair use.
