I liked the Flock of Seagulls debut, but what the hell is going on with that cover? That’s what they all decided to go with? If they wanted seagulls on the cover, I wish they would’ve followed “Heaven up here”’s lead. I was okay with the first couple REM album covers but they just lost me after that. Usually good albums come with good covers (or they grow on you because you love the music). What are examples of when this wasn’t the case? https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61865#msg-61865 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:03:59 -0500 Phorum 5.2.23 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64391#msg-64391 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64391#msg-64391 Vox Humana was DA drummer Ed McTaggart's first go-round as the band's art director and cover designer and it definitely shows. It's like an 8th grader's attempt at a cool 80s cover. He got better, and most of DA's subsequent albums had covers that were at the very least competent and sometimes pretty compelling.]]> breno Trouser Press Wed, 29 Jun 2022 20:12:47 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64390#msg-64390 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64390#msg-64390 The Ascension and directing New Order videos? That made sense. Having him turn in some weird, abstract cover for a Replacements album? That made as much sense as letting him direct Johnny Mnemonic.

(For the record, I'm a big fan of Longo's artwork. And Tim is one fucking ugly album cover.)]]> breno Trouser Press Wed, 29 Jun 2022 20:03:47 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64386#msg-64386 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64386#msg-64386 Philippe Trouser Press Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:37:55 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64382#msg-64382 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64382#msg-64382 Sonic Youth's covers started off ok ("Bad Moon Rising" is COOL), but they lost all sanity in the '90s - I couldn't even pick a least favorite.

The Replacements. Some are ok, but others...Oi. "Tim" in particular. Utterly random, nothing to do with the madness that was the 'mats.

In the non-TP world, The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" cover is so inexcusably dumb, it can almost be seen as an act of sabotage (but by who?!). In the "Sgt Peppers" vs "Pet Sounds" debate, The Beatles at least win the artwork prize.]]> MrFab Trouser Press Tue, 28 Jun 2022 19:44:03 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64381#msg-64381 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64381#msg-64381
I am the proud new owner of a sealed vinyl copy of Daniel Amos' 1985 album, Vox Humana. I ordered from Discogs at a great price and it arrived today. I already knew the cover art was bad, but as soon as I took a gander at it up close in its full-sized, 12.375" x 12.375" glory, I immediately thought of this thread. It's so BAD! But that's just the front cover. Not to be outdone, the back cover features a picture of the band with a horrible giant, spiked, red robot boot about to crush them. At least I think that's what is going on. See for yourself.]]> zoo Trouser Press Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:49:32 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64380#msg-64380 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64380#msg-64380 zoo Trouser Press Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:48:31 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64379#msg-64379 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,64379#msg-64379 zoo Trouser Press Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:47:39 -0500 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62212#msg-62212 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62212#msg-62212 -------------------------------------------------------
> Mainly because I'm listening to this one right now:
>
> Larry Coryell - Fairyland

I don't what's more offensive as a consumer...that awful cover (which at least has shock/shlock value) or that it was a full-priced live album clocking in at about 32 mins. You gotta believe he played longer than that. Where's the rest of the show?]]> zoo Trouser Press Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:05:47 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62210#msg-62210 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62210#msg-62210 -------------------------------------------------------
> Mainly because I'm listening to this one right
> now:
>
> Larry Coryell - Fairyland
>
> The cover from the 1976 reissue (which
> is what I have) is just...dire. Somebody waited
> until right before the deadline, smoked a bowl,
> and slapped
> this
> crapola together in five minutes.

Yep.]]> Post-Punk Monk Trouser Press Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:09:49 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62205#msg-62205 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62205#msg-62205 Message cover, but it's definitely of its time. The shittiness of Shazam, however, is indisputable. Guess they couldn't get the rights to the DC/Fawcett Captain Marvel (or maybe the character was still in legal limbo at the time).]]> Michael Toland Trouser Press Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:46:50 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62204#msg-62204 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62204#msg-62204
Larry Coryell - Fairyland

A live album from the early 70s from the great jazz/fusion guitarist. The original 1971 cover is fine, but the cover from the 1976 reissue (which is what I have) is just...dire. Somebody waited until right before the deadline, smoked a bowl, and slapped this crapola together in five minutes.]]> Michael Toland Trouser Press Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:44:33 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62162#msg-62162 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62162#msg-62162 -------------------------------------------------------
> The Move's albums are choice, but Shazam
> has a really lame cover. Message from the
> Country's cover makes those aforementioned
> early Genesis covers look downright well-crafted.
> (And that takes work.)

I had to look those up...couldn't resist based on your comments. No joking, those are BAD! Made me laugh out loud.]]> zoo Trouser Press Fri, 05 Mar 2021 15:27:50 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62161#msg-62161 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62161#msg-62161 Shazam has a really lame cover. Message from the Country's cover makes those aforementioned early Genesis covers look downright well-crafted. (And that takes work.)]]> Delvin Trouser Press Fri, 05 Mar 2021 14:40:52 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62160#msg-62160 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62160#msg-62160 -------------------------------------------------------
> The thread about Pitchfork's "review" of
> Duke reminded me of this thread. To me, the
> three covers that Paul Whitehead did for Genesis
> -- Trespass, Nursery Cryme and
> Foxtrot -- look really cheap and
> amateurish.

Oh, gosh, you are correct. I don't even need to look them up, as they are pretty much etched in my brain. Definitely cheap, and in the case of Nursery Cryme, garish and creepy with the girl winding up to strike a human head with her croquet mallet. Their covers certainly got better over time. I really like A Trick of the Tail, with all of the characters from the songs depicted on the front and back (and inside the gatefold again next to the song lyrics). It's a really nice presentation front to back.]]> zoo Trouser Press Fri, 05 Mar 2021 10:50:19 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62109#msg-62109 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62109#msg-62109 -------------------------------------------------------
> The thread about Pitchfork's "review" of
> Duke reminded me of this thread. To me, the
> three covers that Paul Whitehead did for Genesis
> -- Trespass, Nursery Cryme and
> Foxtrot -- look really cheap and
> amateurish.

For the record, I thought "Duke" was one of the best Genesis covers. But I had to look at the covers for "Trespass," "Nursery Creme," and "Foxtrot." When I went to Discogs I saw that, OMG, I OWN a copy of "Foxtrot!" How did that happen without me knowing it? Looks like my wife bought it at the library sale…four years ago. Gosh. But I think you're right. poor covers all, though better than the budget twofer of "Foxtrox/"Nursery Cryme" I bought in the late 70s when initially investigating Genesis. All the Genesis LPs took a dive once I discovered used record stores. The cover was all black with just the logos thrown on the back void and garishly colored.]]> Post-Punk Monk Trouser Press Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:38:45 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62103#msg-62103 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62103#msg-62103 Duke reminded me of this thread. To me, the three covers that Paul Whitehead did for Genesis -- Trespass, Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot -- look really cheap and amateurish.]]> Delvin Trouser Press Mon, 01 Mar 2021 09:55:01 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62101#msg-62101 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62101#msg-62101 Jump On It and raise you Uncle Sam's Heaven or Hollywood.

Don't look at this at work!

Uncle Sam was actually one of the better hair metal acts of the late 80s, not that that's saying much. Their follow-up Letters From London is pretty solid. Having a sense of humor and an understanding of how ridiculous it all was helped.

But, to your point, I can't imagine taking this to a record store counter, even with the censored cover (which had a hype sticker over the model's crotch).

Edit: sorry, not a hype sticker, but a bikini bottom over her crotch. Still...]]> Michael Toland Trouser Press Mon, 01 Mar 2021 08:46:55 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62099#msg-62099 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62099#msg-62099 ironic than the original one. Which was hella seedy, in my opinion.]]> Post-Punk Monk Trouser Press Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:28:48 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62076#msg-62076 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62076#msg-62076
You could tell me Montrose’s “jump on it” is a top notch album... and I could even see a nice copy for $1.... but you’d never get me to stand there at the counter with that thing waiting to be rung up. Oh, the indignity!]]> Bip Trouser Press Fri, 26 Feb 2021 17:35:31 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62074#msg-62074 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62074#msg-62074 Sunburst Finish and Country Life are excellent albums...no boobs were necessary.]]> zoo Trouser Press Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:40:24 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62070#msg-62070 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62070#msg-62070 Michael Toland Trouser Press Fri, 26 Feb 2021 11:38:35 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62069#msg-62069 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62069#msg-62069 Wankers Playtime]]> ira Trouser Press Fri, 26 Feb 2021 11:18:06 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62065#msg-62065 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,62065#msg-62065 Bip Trouser Press Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:16:12 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61920#msg-61920 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61920#msg-61920 Aitch Trouser Press Mon, 01 Feb 2021 04:00:03 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61899#msg-61899 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61899#msg-61899 -------------------------------------------------------
> If I recall correctly, the model on the
> Paranoid cover was the photographer's
> assistant. It looks like he was in the middle of
> asking, "What is it you want me to do again?" when
> the shutter snapped, and somebody yelled, "That's
> a wrap!"

And then came the hookers and blow.]]> Post-Punk Monk Trouser Press Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:42:34 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61894#msg-61894 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61894#msg-61894 Paranoid cover was the photographer's assistant. It looks like he was in the middle of asking, "What is it you want me to do again?" when the shutter snapped, and somebody yelled, "That's a wrap!"]]> Michael Toland Trouser Press Mon, 25 Jan 2021 13:56:01 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61892#msg-61892 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61892#msg-61892
Now "Paranoid" on the other hand = their best album, but the cover sucked. Some guy in a bike helmet running around with a sword or sumthin? What is he, one of the Capital rioters?]]> MrFab Trouser Press Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:33:48 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61891#msg-61891 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61891#msg-61891 upper90 Trouser Press Mon, 25 Jan 2021 11:40:43 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61881#msg-61881 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61881#msg-61881 Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities, Gone to Earth, Dead Bees on a Cake, and the Holger Czukay collaboration Plight and Premonition--that have, in the last several years, been reissued with completely different, and completely uninspired, cover art. It's my understanding that this is due to the unavailability of the original artwork. It that's true, then things have come to a pretty pass, indeed. It's not that the cover photographs are actually awful--on the Eighties albums in particular, Sylvian looks, as he always did in those days, not-of-this-Earth magnificent--but the new artwork is no match for the beauty and the mystery of the original album designs. The reissued Gone to Earth, for a truly appalling example, has a close shot of Sylvian sitting in a car with the door open! This is beyond crummy. Thank goodness I have the original CD's.]]> Middle C Trouser Press Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:47:10 -0600 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61869#msg-61869 https://trouserpress.com/forum/read.php?1,61865,61869#msg-61869
Thin Lizzy - Fighting

My favorite album of theirs, but that cover is repulsive. It was their second album with the Gorham-Roberston guitar duo, and their sound was considerably tougher than the previous Nightlife album. But it would have been better for them to just let the music do the talking if this was their idea of what "tough" looks like. And it certainly didn't represent the sensitive, introspective nature of the album's best songs, "Wild One" and "Spirt Slips Away."

]]> zoo Trouser Press Thu, 21 Jan 2021 08:10:58 -0600