Album covers

Pink Floyd's 'The Division Bell' (1994)Some extra ‘randomness’ (just in case the word ‘nonsense’ offends anyone, perish the thought) to get us started this week.

With the impressive artwork which graced record sleeves, particularly in the Seventies, hopefully relatively fresh in the memory from the last-but-one poll, I’d like to know which you think are the most iconic album covers (from any artist, from any decade – but no more than ten, please).

I’d also like to know which is your favourite from David’s three studio releases: ‘David Gilmour’, ‘About Face’ and ‘On an Island’.

And, because they deserve a list of their own, which are your favourites from Pink Floyd?

Remember, it’s just the cover art, not the music.

109 comments

  1. Dunner

    My favorite is The Tree of Half Life, even thought it hasn’t officially made it to a cover.

    I include a link to some Storm inspired photos. The first being my digitally enhanced version of the Animals cover.

    The photo is of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power plant in Pennsylvania.

    Enjoy.

  2. janosfia

    David’s albums: On An Island
    Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon

    Like David and Pink Floyd with hipgnosis, I think Rush has a brilliant album designer in Hugh Syme. Several of those album covers may apprear high on a list of best album covers.

    10 of my favorites are:

    Who’s Next – The Who
    Eliminator – ZZ Top
    Pyromania – Def Leppard
    Remasters – Led Zeppelin
    Synchronicity – The Police
    Moving Pictures – Rush
    1984 – Van Halen
    Abbey Road – The Beatles
    Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers
    The Cream of Clapton – Eric Clapton

    –Rich

  3. birdmantiki

    Pink Floyd (Momentary Lapse of Reason):

    I have the Production Masters that I would like to get an appraisal on and then possibly put up for sale.

    I acquired these at least 19 years ago, possibly before the album’s release!

    I looked it up on Wikipedia and this is what I found….

    “Check out the section on Reissues and remastering……”

    I have the Lost Production Masters!! 2 Acetates + 2 Metal Master Discs.

    [Congratulations. - FEd]

  4. Bruce

    As for David’s personal covers, I really like them all.

    For Pink Floyd, I like Dark Side of the Moon, Division Bell and then Wish You Were Here.

    Seems as though the album cover for WYWH has changed over the years to the famous burning handshake. I remember a man in a field looking at a bush.

    There are some good stories to tell about the origin and circumstances surrounding the bush and the place where it was found. I would like to chat with David about that one day should we ever be alone enough. With all the craziness that surrounded us all in those days. Glad things have settled down a bit.

    I really like the Division Bell cover probably the best because it depicts the struggles between the poles of life which have gone on for eons it seems.

    Dark Side of the Moon is special. I thought it was the best selling album of all time. Shows what I know. But third best is rocking on, also. In my book it’s the best of all time.

    Cheers.

  5. Jim

    For David’s albums, I like the eponymous debut (I’ve always wanted to use that phrase!) and “The Division Bell”.

    Other favourites:

    1) The Who Sell Out
    2) Lennon/Ono – Double Fantasy
    3) Paul Weller – Stanley Road
    4) Kate Bush – The Dreaming (really, any picture of Kate)
    5) The Beatles – Revolver
    6) The Clash – London Calling
    7) David Bowie – Diamond Dogs 8) Johnny Cash – America IV
    9) Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
    10) Peter Gabriel – Third Album

  6. ted

    …misplaced childhood – marillion
    and primus – pork soda

    Best PF:

    delicate sound of thunder
    ummagumma
    animals

  7. JJ

    [Snazzy. Saw a 1994 Tour T-shirt decorated with Swarovski crystals yesterday. What next? - FEd]

    Converse All Stars in the USA – with images from DSOTM, WYWH and Animals albums.

    Someone’s flogging the PF brand for all they can get these days. I thought David was above such desperate money making gimmicks.

    [I'm sure he is, but some of the people around him clearly aren't. - FEd]

  8. happy nice folk

    The early Rolling Stones/Satanic Majesties Request had a “holo” plastic 3D that could be interesting. Later issues didn’t include the 3D plastic, it’s just printed but not 3D-like.

    Yes albums had some good artwork.

    Storm Thorgerson’s work generally, I’m very biased towards, like stuff he’s done a lot.

    Syd Barrett’s covers-I’m mixed. I mean I like it but sometimes wonder if I’m getting it-problem is I like his stuff so I overanalyzed it trying to look for stuff I don’t see, have missed, or something.

    Grateful Dead’s new Egypt collection’s got some good stuff, one of ‘em folds out, really neat.

    David’s-the snow effect on the first looks interesting-able, but guess I’d go with On An Island for favorite.

    Enjoy.