Album covers used to serve as the front lines for selling music. Now, there is a cliche about album art no longer being important, what with the itunes, torrents, and so forth. Consider this a tribute to not only great art work, but covers that truly express the music on the record.
I present to you a list of some of my favorite vinyl records in my collection, all of which feature cover art that poetically matches with the sounds within.
In no particular order...
1. Grandaddy- The Sophtware Slump
A simple premiss, photoshop some old keypad letters against an expansive natural landscape. The letters obscure the beauty of the picture, you kind of wish they weren’t there. It looks awkward. This is the feeling expressed throughout the entire record. Acoustic instruments are littered with casino sounding synths while Jason Lytle sings about longing for the simplicity and naturalness of home. The modern world makes him feel awkward.
2. My Bloody Valentine- Loveless
Over-exposed, effects laden wall of guitar...check. It may be overwhelming at first, but can be beautiful once you adjust.
3. Belle and Sebastian- If You’re Feeling Sinister
This picture does well to express the feeling one gets listening to this amazing record. It’s thoughtful without being detached from emotion. It’s literary. If J.D. Salinger made music, this is what it would sound like. This record happens to have the best bookends. It starts with “The Stars of Track and Field” and ends with “Judy and the Dream of Horses.” Both start with a lone acoustic guitar and end with full orchestration. Both manage to truthfully speak of the complexities of admiration.
4. Emperor X- Dirt Dealership
A 7’’ by the Jacksonville/ Gainesville/ New York (or where ever he now lives) based Chad Matheny is the ultimate example of do it yourself, gonzo music. Chad plays all of the instruments and sings on multiple layered tracks to produce a “i made this in my bedroom sound” that feels intimate and informal. Obviously, the vinyl had to pressed in a factory, but the album sleeve and cover art was individually made by hand. By using what appears to be sponge stamps, he made it so that every album cover was unique. The one I own is a different form of Pangea than the one you see.
5. Neutral Milk Hotel- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
I lied before about the order, cause this is my favorite of the bunch. I had to include the rest of the art with the cover. The art says it all, an album full of metaphorical images. I can’t do justice for this record. Just google it to find out how great it is.
-JW
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