Most iconic album covers

[andy_tchp]

So it will be interesting if anyone can show if there are iconic images from the last 15 years or so.

I was wondering that also... it's worth bearing in mind that LPs or even CDs would have artwork that was designed to catch the eye as one moved through the racks of media, and artwork accompanying music on streaming devices is notably different in method.

That is to say, if Dark Side of the Moon was released today, well, firstly it might not have been released as an "album" but as songs, and it might not have had that iconic imagery accompanying it on the Spotify page or what have you. In the store, it would have encouraged you to pick it up and learn more about it.

Online, it's just a nice picture of a prism.

This is a great thread. On the iconic album covers from the last 15 years, I think this actually isn't far off:

Maybe, maybe not.

I've never seen that image and I don't know the artist/album.

I thought this one might've been given an honourable mention?

[Bradley-Jazz]

I was wondering that also... it's worth bearing in mind that LPs or even CDs would have artwork that was designed to catch the eye as one moved through the racks of media, and artwork accompanying music on streaming devices is notably different in method.

That is to say, if Dark Side of the Moon was released today, well, firstly it might not have been released as an "album" but as songs, and it might not have had that iconic imagery accompanying it on the Spotify page or what have you. In the store, it would have encouraged you to pick it up and learn more about it.

Online, it's just a nice picture of a prism.

This is a great thread. On the iconic album covers from the last 15 years, I think this actually isn't far off:

Maybe, maybe not.

I've never seen that image and I don't know the artist/album.

I thought this one might've been given an honourable mention?

Well there we go!! Maybe it is too soon, maybe digital era artwork just won’t get there. It’s Billie Eilish, When we fall asleep where do we go? (It’s a brilliant album - I’m 53 by the way!)

Absolutely agree on Pet Sounds. There’s something else with that - the track listing in the front - maybe detracts from the image but reminds us it is a record cover. Another one in similar vein-

[sal paradise]

Pet sounds: best album, worst cover

Haven’t Rolling Stone done this to death? I’ve got at least two coffee table books of iconic album covers. It’s kinda passé.

The last 15 years interests me. So post-vinyl & cd. Back to Black is an interesting one, but probably too early.

This appears to be the biggest selling album of the last 15 years.

[BlixaFan]

how about

[cestlamort]

Working definition of "iconic" = transcending the album + music.

Unknown Pleasures
London Calling
Nevermind
Daydream Nation / Goo
(Is Dark Side still iconic? It was ever-present in the 80s... but maybe not so much now?)

Should be:
Dinosaur Jr Green Mind
Afghan Whigs Gentlemen (more kids acting like grown ups!)
Pink Flag
Damaged
Bad Brains ROIR cassette
Unwound Fake Train

[PorkyPrimeCut]

I think, the more we start to strip this into decades & eras, the harder it gets. It's a generational thing, now we're in the digital age & music is bought via "clicks" instead of flicking through a record stand.
I was thinking Adel should be worth a shout (being a big, consistent seller)but didn't actually know what the album cover looked like. The same goes for Ed Sheeran (and I refuse to look up his albums...heheheeh).

I'm hilariously out of date with music of the last 20 years (typical 50 year old who knows what he likes) and have no clue what the primary attraction - USP, if you like - is with albums these days. Does the visual aspect make a huge difference, or is it all in how the music sounds? Which 20 second audio preview you choose? Now that you can buy single tracks from an album I feel the imagery that binds it has become a little irrelevant. Maybe I'm wrong.

With that in mind, the "last 15 years" question is a tricky one. I look at a "best selling albums" list and hardly recognise any of the covers. I'm not sure if iconic is the right word but I did recognise this one...

[sal paradise]

As per my comment Rolling Stone article.

No.1 hasn’t been mentioned yet I think, oddly enough. And it’s kinda obvious.

[PorkyPrimeCut]

As per my comment Rolling Stone article.

No.1 hasn’t been mentioned yet I think, oddly enough. And it’s kinda obvious.

I'd have gone for Abbey Road over that one, but I guess it doesn't have THE BEATLES in massive letters (not on the front anyway).

[countertext]

says every thrift store ever

[Chippertheripper]

The first image at the mention of “iconic album covers” for me is LZ IV.

[ThePearDream]

Just trying to keep to things released since 2000, these seem like obvious candidates:









I think there is still plenty of great album art being created. Lots of recent and contemporary stuff could still become iconic images. Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, BIllie Eilish, and Tyler the Creator all immediately come mind as having multiple great album covers that are well on their way to being iconic.

[invisible man]

Sidebar: do we have a thread for album covers featuring offsets? Because James would like a word…

[jthomas]

I'm not sure what "iconic" means. Instantly recognizable? One of a kind? Visual punch? Bringing back memories?

Instantly recognizable... maybe the cover of Sergeant Pepper's... or the white album. Heck... any Beatles album equal to or greater than Rubber Soul (excepting, Let It Be). But of course, that says a lot about my age, my musical tastes, and when I came of age.

One of a kind: Well... maybe the Roger Dean, Yes album covers. Maybe the white album, again. Has any other band had a blank cover?

Bringing back memories: I remember seeing the Led Zep I cover in the racks back in high school and just diggin on the image. That was back before you could see the movie of the Hindenburg burning up anytime you wanted on the internet. I bought the album based on the cover and was blown away by the music.

[jakeisjake]

!---------Steal Your Face---------!

[Nudger]