Best Cover Art as voted by...me!

I apologise for having taken a few liberties here and compiling a list of albums covers that i don't necessarily own (well i've got a few of them, if it helps)... I picked these albums mainly for their visual impact and in one instance for clearly showing how out of control things have gone for one barely-recognisable individual (Hint: He used to own a chimp). I also happen to like the music from these albums and have picked what i regard as the defining track of the album.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles. Back in the days when album covers were large enough to warrant putting effort into them, you really did get bang for your buck with the detail on this cover. That way if you ever got bored with the album you could always play ‘Where’s Wally’. Notable track: A day in the life


Open up and say ahh… - Poison Despite many a mother’s refusal to buy this album (okay maybe just mine) it still was enormously popular for Poison ('who?'). The depiction of evil sexy reptilian vibes was probably the main reason mum didn’t approve. I managed to get it taped on a cassette but it just wasn't the same for me. Notable track: Every rose has its thorn

Dynasty – Kiss Placing snapshots of each band member’s make-up design on the cover helped one pick a favourite: Star Lover (Paul Stanley), Space Man (Ace Frehley), Demon (Gene Simmons) or Catman (Peter Criss), as well as armed one with the know-how of how to recreate that look. Notable track: X-ray eyes

Saturation – Urge Overkill I really love this album because the way the UO are projected on the gigantic moon made it seem like a sort of bat signal. The use of primary colours is also quite striking...also anything that makes a veiled reference to extraterrestrial matters is strangely compelling. Notable track: Sister Havana

Off the Wall – Michael Jackson Michael Jackson in the days when he was still black, still had a nose and…heck, who are we kidding, was still human. Pre-Wacko Jacko even had a sense of humour as evidenced by his decision to stand in front of an Improv comic-styled brick wall. Notable track: Don't stop til you got enough

Dishonorable mention: Sticky Fingers – Rolling Stones This Andy Warhol-designed (of course) cover trespasses into the ‘too-much information’ territory, where one is graphically reminded of what happens when a bloke foolishly decides to wear an excruciatingly pair of tight jeans, sans undies. Interesting fact 1: Motley Crue co-opted this cover for their Too Fast for Love album but mercifully without the meat & 2 veg visuals; Interesting fact 2: American cable channel VH1 voted this as the best album design ever (?)...shows what i know!