About the list: Don't judge a book by its cover. So the saying goes. But, this is not true for album covers. An album cover should correspond with the music and thereby constitute an indivisible whole. Here are ten album covers that meet the criterion.
|
No |
Cover | Album | Artist |
Notes |
|
1 |
 |
Black River Falls (2001) |
Reverend Glasseye and his Wooden Legs |
"Black River Falls" is state of the art. A tintype photo of two white-dressed scary girls with candles in their hands. The album cover binds the past with the present. Designed by Cyan Puppy Design. |
|
2
|
 |
Chasing Locusts (2007) |
Strawfoot |
Strawfoot's album covers are top notch. The debut album "Chasing Locusts" shines slightly more brightly. A "pumpkin skull" in formal wear with an olive-green background. Most likely designed by Reverend Marcus Eder. |
|
3
|
 |
Built with Bones (2007)
|
Christian Williams |
Much work have been put in the hand-making of this long out-of-print album (limited to 200 copies). "Built with Bones" was a labor of love. The album art is congenial and, litterally, built with bones. Designed by Paul Rhyne. |
|
4
|
 |
Death Country (2008) |
Reverend Elvis |
“… for me it’s a mixture of the mid 80 provo-punk cover and classic 50ies cover… a little bit dilettantism and a little bit provocation. The picture is historical photo from 2. world war … sick world I say!”. Designed by Reverend Elvis. |
|
5
|
 |
The Shovel and the Gun (2008) |
Creech Holler |
Creech Holler's album covers are stunning. A hand, tattooed with a gun and the word "fate". The hand rests on a playing card with two crossed shovels, on the back cover: a gravedigger with a firm grip on a shovel. Designed by Gin Stevens. |
|
6
|
 |
Sackcloth 'n' Ashes (1995) |
16 Horsepower |
Every picture tells a story. “Sackcloth ‘n’ Ashes" refers to Christian imagery and is a symbol of debasement, mourning and repentance. That is, to wear sackcloth and smudge oneself with ash. Designed by Sunja Park. |
|
7 |
 |
Let the River Take Them Home (2008)
|
Pinebox Serenade |
This is a classic album cover. Two transparent deer depicted against a gray-speckled background. On the back cover: two arms in medieval armor which form a rhomb. Designed by Agnieszka Ledochowska. |
|
8
|
 |
Twilight (2001) |
The Handsome Family |
Hollow trees. “I don’t know where any of these photos came from. I woke up in a pool of blood and there they were”. These words in the liner notes is probably the closest you will get to a photo credit. Rennie Sparks is to be credited. |
|
9 |
 |
The Blackthorns (2006) |
The Blackthorns |
More hollow trees. This album cover is minimalistic. The name The Blackthorns in small fonts and a white windswept tree against a black background. Less is sometimes more. Most likely designed by The Blackthorns. |
|
10 |
 |
The Earth and All That Is In It (2009) |
The Roe Family Singers |
Even more hollow trees. A nice black/white/green cover with a tree that dropped its leaves, branches forming the band name and the tree roots form the title of the album. Art work and design by Quillan Roe. |