I love iTunes and downloading songs and all but as a recovering CD buying addict (I would basically live at JB/Sanity/HMV) one thing that I miss is being able to really enjoy album artwork. I guess that really being able to appreciate album artwork also died a little bit when CDs took over. The size of albums meant you could really appreciate a good cover or just shake your head at a bad one.
I remember dad’s awesome collection of records and some of the covers were mesmerizing. So here it is – my own top 10 album covers in no particular order. Leave a comment and share your own. I find that just looking at album art brings back so many memories of different experiences in life – it really is fun.
1. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti – I think one of my first memories was being basically hypnotized by dad’s copy of Physical Graffiti. I still love it and I just found out that those buildings are right here in New York! I am going to go there ASAP and take photos. Stay tuned!
2. Simply Red – 25 Greatest Hits – There are two kinds of girls – those who love Mick Hucknall and those that don’t. I fall into the first category and wow oh wow – I think he is gorgeous on this cover. I love the whole thing.
3. Hunters and Collectors – Fate – Six words. Mark Seymour and a Chesty Bonds.
5. Carole King – Tapestry – Because whenever I would see this I would think that life in New York was this – fluffy jumpers, a purring cat, blinds open and sitting on a window bench of a beautiful old apartment in the Village.
5. ELO – Eldorado – Because this really scared me when I was younger. The whole Wicked Witch/Ruby Red slippers and the flash of yellow. Scary, yet unforgettable!
6. Goanna – Spirit of Place – You can almost feel Summer looking at this. It epitomizes Australia, the 80s and a hot Summer day all in one.
7. Icehouse – Man of Colours – For such a simple cover, it leaves an impression. It was so different at the time and still is. Will always love it.
8. Joni Mitchell – Ladies of the Canyon – I see this and just think of the Hollywood Hills. And the end of the Woodstock era. The start of the 70s. It suits the album perfectly.
We are stardust.
We are golden.
And we’ve got to get ourselves
back to the garden.
9. Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA – I think that when I first saw this I thought “That is America!” Baseball cap, Levi jeans, the bright white top and that confident stance.
10. Chris Isaak – Baja Sessions – If there was one cover that encapsulates just everything about Chris Isaak, it is this. Cool. Cool. And more cool. He is just so-darn-cool!
