Top 5: Album Covers

Here are my top 5 album covers that stand out for different reasons, varying from the utter contentious to the most effortless.

 

Placing at number 5 is Foals’début album – ‘Antidotes’ (2008). The simplistic animated, sketch-type image of what might be a portrayal of lead singer, Yannis, seems to blend in with the unusual pastel yellow coloured background. We are drawn to the contrasting colours in the subject’s mouth, which could both denote that Foals have a lot to say and that the album is quite fantastic!

Number 4 is home to Marilyn Manson’s third album –‘Mechanical Animals’ (1998). This album cover is one of many controversial covers to hail from Manson. Being no stranger to obscenity, it comes as no surprise when we see an androgynous Manson sneaking on this cover. There’s no wonder why it caused such raucous criticism, it seems like Manson feeds off of it. Just give it a few years and she…I mean HE, will be back with another divisive album, and album cover.

The 3rd spot goes to ‘xx’ (2009), the older of only two children as of yet, by The XX. This trio (once a quartet) stands as fierce competitors for not only the most beautifully simplistic creation of music… but also album covers. With just a white ‘x’ on a black background, this triplet not only showcase their classic ‘black-and-white’ look, but also that minimalism is the way forward!

Baby-faced Panic! at the Disco hail at 2nd position with their eponymous album – ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’ (2001)… Some track titles are actually much lengthier than this title! The mismatched bodies not only emphasise the burlesque feel, but also such topics as: sanctity of marriage, adultery, alcoholism and prostitution that surround many of the lyrics in this ambitious album.

Taking the top spot at number 1 is Nirvana’s second and most prestigious album - ‘Nevermind’ (1991). With this cover depicting a naked boy toddler – yes, including the male genitalia, there’s no surprise why it caused quite the controversy. Never had there been a bigger scandal upon the release of an album cover and Kobain was no short of a witty comment - ‘if you’re offended by this, you must be a closet pedophile’. Well said.