Album art can be a difficult thing for a musician. There are many questions that need to be addressed: "What imagery best represents the message of my music?" "How can I entice a consumer to listen to my album using a clever design?" "How can I create a memorable visual experience given the limitations of my time and budget?" And, sometimes, the recording artist answers with "Screw it, just do whatever." In that spirit, we present the 21 Worst Album Covers that we were able to find.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito
"When I heard you were calling the new album 'Mosquito' I got very excited. Do I have a concept for you!"
Tripping Daisy - I Am An Elastic Firecracker
"Dude, I'm telling you--If you throw this bucket of paint on your uncle Jonesy he's gonna look just like Dhalsim from Street Fighter."
Islands - Ski Mask
"Oh lord. WHAT HAVE I DONE!?"
Sebastien Grainger - Yours To Discover
Stop. Just stop with this.
Burton Cummings - Woman Love
"Trust me, it won't be creepy once you see the final product."
Alan Jackson - Drive
Country albums in general suffer from this affliction of the artist gazing off into the distance, presumably at horses running through a field. Alan Jackson gets the nod here for the 'stache/mullet-under-cowboy-hat combo.
Weezer - Red Album
Speaking of cowboy hats...
Bon Jovi - Have A Nice Day
Is he your friend? Does he REALLY want you to have a nice day?
Aerosmith - Just Push Play
This counts.
Clipse - Til the Casket Drops
"We gather today to honor the memory of Depth of Field."
Trillion - Trillion
"No, not Trillion as in numbers, Trillion as in TRI-LION."
Deastro - Keepers
"You know what, forget it. Just put three eyes on ONE lion."
Elvis Costello - Spike
Costello's name does not appear on the cover for a reason.
The Flys - Holiday Man
"Guys, I have a perfect idea for our album cover. In no way does it almost immediately look dated and stupid."
Quasi - Hot Shit
"In keeping the title, we want a steamy pile of poo on the cover, but please, nothing literal."
Treepeople - Something Vicious for Tomorrow
"Here's the church. Here's the steeple. Open the doo--OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Torche - Meanderthal
Nailed it.
Toadies - Play.Rock.Music
"I dunno this looks a little weird. Can we soften it up with some pink?"
Spacehog - The Chinese Album
Is this racist? Let's go with racist.
Action Action - An Army of Shapes Between Wars
"Favorite director? Tim Burton, hands down."
Swamp Dogg - Rat On
Actually, this is totally awesome.
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