Album Covers 1987-1988

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.

Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun by Dead Can Dance (1987)

Within the Realm of a Dying Sun is the third studio album by Australian gothic rock band Dead Can Dance. The mysterious sleeve photography is credited to Bernard Oudin.

The Lion and the Cobra by Sinéad O'Connor (1987)

The Lion and the Cobra is the debut album by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor. The title of the album is from Psalm 91:13 "you will tread upon the lion and cobra". The photograph of O'Connor on the album cover was taken by Haysi Fantayzee member Kate Garner. The covers of the United States and Canada issues differed from the European release, as it was decided a more subdued pose would present a "softer" image of the star.

In My Tribe by 10000 Maniacs (1987)

In My Tribe is the second major-label album by the American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and their first to achieve large-scale success. The front cover of the CD edition is an uncredited black-and-white photograph of children with bows and arrows in an archery class.

Secrets of the Beehive by David Sylvian (1987)

Secrets of the Beehive is the third solo album by British singer-songwriter David Sylvian, and arguably his finest effort. The still life photography on the cover is credited to Nigel Grierson (23 Envelope).

Kiss Me, Kiss Me by The Cure (1987)

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is the seventh studio album by English alternative rock band the Cure. The front cover art, an almost abstract image of lips, is credited to Parched Art.

A Momentary Lapse Of Reason by Pink Floyd (1987)

A Momentary Lapse of Reason is the thirteenth studio album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, the first Pink Floyd album recorded without founding member Roger Waters. Designer Storm Thorgerson was hired for the album cover. It shows hundreds of hospital beds assembled in July 1987 on Saunton Sands in North Devon. The photographer, Robert Dowling, won a gold award at the Association of Photographers Awards for the image, which took about two weeks to create.

Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son by Iron Maiden (1988)

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is the seventh studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The cover is like a horror version of Roger Dean's best efforts. Allegedly, the brief given to Derek Riggs (the group's then regular artist) was, unlike with previous albums, to create "simply something surreal and bloody weird". He did.

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine (1988)

Isn't Anything is the debut studio album by Anglo-Irish shoegaze rock band My Bloody Valentine. The photography, presumably including the rather surreal cover, is credited to Joe Dilworth.

Watermark by Enya (1988)

Watermark is the second studio album by Irish singer, songwriter and musician Enya. The sleeve to Watermark was illustrated to a design painted by graphic designer Laurence Dunmore. The cover image of Enya was shot by David Hiscook with additional photography by Russel Yamy, with "layers and layers of imagery" hand-drawn on top.

Idlewild by Everything but the Girl (1988)

Idlewild is the fourth studio album by British sophish-pop duo Everything but the Girl. The cover design is credited to Caryn Gough, with photography by Ben Watt.

Plight and Premonition by David Sylvian and Holger Czukay (1988)

Plight and Premonition is the first of two collaborative albums by English musician David Sylvian and German musician Holger Czukay. Czukay had come to prominence in the 1960s with the experimental rock group Can, while Sylvian was the former the frontman of the UK new wave group Japan before embarking on a solo career. The cover artwork is credited to Mekon.

Lucinda Williams by Lucinda Williams (1988)

Lucinda Williams is the third studio album by American country and roots rock singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. The cover is a great example of effective minimalism. The artwork concept is by Joanna Spock Dean and Lucinda Williams, while Greg Allen is credited for the photography.

Copyright statement: posting lower quality album covers is deemed fair use.