Album Covers 5

Some more album covers i like and possible even a reason why added in.

A side project for Ginger Wildheart and what a cover. Made by Frank Kozik you really do look at the cup of tea you have just drunk wondering what was in it. The artwork funnily does help portray the music very well, upbeat pop/rock with a punky feel. So he hit the nail on the head. I think the world would look like this after a kg of skittles and ten cans of cola.

Low is a great album and again a great cover by Bowie. As far as I know this is a photo but done in quite a unique way. The cover is credited to the  film "The Man Who Fell to Earth" where Bowie was stared within the film. This album was to be the soundtrack to the film but there were contractual problems in the way. the film was a flop but his album was well respected by the music fans so a win for him.

More of a promo stunt this album was issued with many different covers all featuring wallpaper prints. 31 covers are known to exist and all were real Crown wallpaper covers. Some fans got as many as they could. But it is a great idea and as a cover should do make you pick up the album for a look, as you do you notice the album behind is different. Great idea.

Love this cover not so much for what it looks like but the way it is put together. Each LP has it's own cover that matches the window holes in the cover. Add in the fold out insert that again adds more to the cover. This is a real street in New York and I did walk by when I was in years ago. I become even more of a fan after buying the LP for £2 second hand.

It is Black Metal but not as we know it, Deathspell Omega have been rewriting the sound of metal for a while now. Add in some amazing covers by great artists. The cover helps to show the mosic contained as it is two tracks 12" only with a track a side. Once you start the album it feels it may not end.

What a great cover, back in the 60s everything was all flower power, free sex and all that crap. Yeah ok if you had money but for most of us we had to work and like this band many worked in factories. Sabbath changed the whole music world and divided music fans with this album. The cover had to be good and as Ozzy says you can't have us on the cover holding a rose. The cover helps the buyer to make a decision to get this or not. I feel those who choose not to choose wisely and may never regret it. but to those who did it was just a start.

The only Foo Fighters album worth owning is this one and also the only cover they have had that I like. I have no idea of the covers origin but it really is quite simple and an idea that could have run and run. The cover is a little misleading as the album is really just a rock album, people may have had ideas of some sort of electronic/dance content. Back then the band was more of side project to the record company but after this it all got more serious and for me very boring AOR followed. Shame.

Quite a bit going on here and all is quite fun, the kids playing but are they really playing or is some kid getting bullied. The windows have some sort of post addition added to make you think more. A very odd hat stand dominates one and the other reminds me of Scottish summers. All fun and in black and white to help capture the feel of a photo.

Album Covers 4

Love em or hate em Queen had some fantastic covers. Here is one of the best in my opinion. Painted by Frank Kelly Freas for a magazine in the 50s Queen drummer Taylor still had the magazine and asked if he would repaint with the band in it. he did and here you have one great cover. The original painting was called "Please... fix it, Daddy?"

So you are in a black metal band you need a really gruesome cover right? Well how about a poor wee bird warped up in barbwire. Well if they were pictured on the cover walking in a field witjh flowers that would be crazy right. But I think there is quite a bit going on here. Lyrics on the album were inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche who also inspired the naming of the album. 

Breakthrough album for Catatonia and well deserved. Nearly a million albums sold and I think the cover really helped. More digital tomfoolery than a Hollywood horror film. It is a feel good cover as if the horses are escaping. Love the horse on the right as if he knows something. 

No name needed on the cover as you can tell it is a live album. Well it also looks like he shot was taken on a phone from 2004 by a fan in the crowd. Well yes I think that is the idea anyhow. no bullshit this is what you see and here are the songs. I do think the peoples heads are added in but thats just my eye on the photo. The four members are in the shot including a drummer in a live shot is near impossible so camera fans will agree this is a stunning picture. 

This one was out not long ago and I love the cover. Again a photo and one that only shows the singer songwriter and for some odd reason his wife in the nude. Is it done in black and white or is the room white and all shadows black? 

This had been done before but not like this. the Beatles had the white album and a punk band done something similar in 1982. But PIL done this more to hide who and what was on the album. If the album had the normal credits names like Ginger Baker and Steve Vai would have taken up most of the review. A smart move and a cover I like. Add in the single cover was called Single as was the CD and 12" ha ha. It was just too easy.

I love this cover and funny thing is the album has a cover of a Neil Young song. Again not sure if it is a photo with post production or a painting but those are the covers I like. You know what you are getting when buying this. Do not expect love songs and nice vocal harmonies.

Painted by Theodor Kittelsen and the title is The Pauper. Fits the album very well. 99.9% of the people reading this will think the album is a big white noise metal over the top album. but no it was mostly done with keyboards and very sparse guitars. Very atmospheric with the use of synthesizers and vocals. The artist is barley recognized outside Norway. Such a shame as the artwork is stunning.

A Scottish sitcom

Act One

FADE IN:

INT. GLASGOW EAST END PUB - ABOUT 5pm

BILLY and PHIL sit having a pint when TAM and SHUG come into the bar. Heading directly to the bar SHUG turns surprised to see both BILLY and PHIL

    SHUG

       Awight ya couple of fannies.

Billy looks at Phil then looks back to Shug

                                                                                    BILLY

                                                                           Aye no bad ya dick.

PHIL 

                                    Whit ya doing here bawbag, this pubs for real men ya fucking fandan.

TAM

Takes a fandan to know what a fandan is.

Phil slowly puts down his drink and stands up.

PHIL

Aye well at least I have a pint ya fucking freakshow bastard. You traded yer wummen in for him.

Phil points at Shug who looks more interested in ordering a drink. 

At this point the barman enters and pours two pints, money is exchanged and Tam chooses a seat as Shug goes to the fruit machine.

BILLY

I widna bother playing that as I just won the jackpot ya fud.

SHUG

Na you get a jackpot when yer wee mate there tickles yer baws in the mens fa fanny.

BILLY

Aye well you would know you taught him how ta dae it ya fucking pleb. 

TAM

Aye and it was his maw that taught him ya funking wanker. 

PHIL

Aye what ever ya fucking nugget why don't ya get on with yer drink ya baw bag.

TAM

At least I can handle a real pint, that is fucking lemonade you have there ya fucking wean.

Phil downs his pint in the one and then lets out a large deafening belch. Everyone starts chuckling and the group collectively look at Phil.

BILLY, TAM and SHUG (at the same time)

YA FANNY!

Album Covers 3

I done two quick blog posts on some album covers , this time ill add in some singles.

Simple as can be, a beetle on a white background. Is it a tribute to the fab four or the white album? I have this on 12" and saw my mum drop it after picking it up. Must have been scary ha ha.

 Again a white background this time rock giants Queen. Last album recorded with Freddie alive and every single and the album was inspired by Jean Ignace Isidore Gérard Grandville The album and all singles were all inspired or done by him. The cover reminds me of a peacock kind of like in a state of impressing. But this is scary and not nice. We all know how ill Freddie was at this point and I feel the cover was chosen to go with the song and not to sell it. The song was mostly written my Mercury and it was all about his feelings of the illness he had. Sad end to a great man but his creativity is still there to the end, check out the music video co directed by him when he was so ill he could only stand for 30 minutes at a time.

Yes Maiden again. Crap song but the cover is just stunning. Again showing a political/satire slant to things. Robert Maxwell rightfully is being handled by mascot Eddie. Anyone who was alive back in the 80s will love this cover, Maxwell was back then much like Mr Murdoch. If you don't know much about this man Google him and then take a look at this, one of my all time favorite covers and so good I have the poster framed.

Shoe gazing band Lush managed to get some chart time in 96. Each single was done like this as if an innocent passer by has been asked to hold the bands name. Simple and something we can all get. This at the time really stood out in the shop and I am sure many picked it up wondering "what the hell is this". Is the lady that cold she only had a panda hat for the cold?

Why go to all the hassle of getting an artist to do a cover when you can pull a strange face and take a photo. But in all honesty I love this cover so much. Also my favorite Bowie album but the cover just shows what it contains. I like the heavy makeup and the black and white format. I wonder if special makeup was used for the B and W photo as like in old films that were done in B and W they used many odd things as cosmetics.

So hard to pick a Sparks cover but I do like this one. Reminds me of those old clips from the 50s of what family life will be like in the future. Also the building outside reminds me of my home town, all gray and square. The curtains are god awful and are they packing or un packing. What exactly is being used as a bed sheet? looks like saw paper.

Very much a political cover this one. Or is it? The building with the flags is suposed to be the UN building in New York. Back in the 80s the cold war was very much always in the news so this cover would have shook a few people up. Again in the metal style it is painted and this album was one of the first to have the parental advisory sticker on it. The mascot is called Vic Rattlehead and has his eyes mouth and ears covered. Is he the one that is selling peace, check the sign.

I have never been a fan of Mr John but this goes here as one of the best covers ever. Not hard to work out who is Captain Fantastic. But the cover really does show a story. The album contained a poster and many other bits of info on the contents of the album. Again I really cant get into his music but this album I find listen-able and I think that is due to the link with the cover.

Easily one of my favorites, and another photo. You really can't tell that well when it was taken but the kid has some flairs on so most people could get the 70s. I love how Ian is wearing a suit jacket and some old crappy trousers with one leg turned up more than the other. He always got his clothes second hand apart from the items that name the album. I am sure this is a store he has made a purchase from. The kid is his son and what are they looking at? Some trivia. The album was recorded before the band was formed so a reason why only his son is on the cover then.

It may look computer generated but the head is real. A carpenter made the head out of wood. looks like some photoshop additions as well but it is real. I love this cover and I also love how Bill Bailey wore the t shirt of it on QI. You could at one point buy a paper copy of this head but it was very expensive. If I had the money i would have many of these.

Albums of the year 2012

Another fast year and in 12 months I have picked 12 albums you may like. Enjoy. 

Anneke van Giersbergen, Everything Is Changing

Former The Gathering singer has done a few solo albums but with her first three under the name Agua de Annique. This album is the first with her name and I can see why she changed. 

The Gathering were a great band and Anneke simply wanted to move on and do other music. The First albums under a different name were really good and I understand the name change as it can be very hard going into the music world with the tag of being a former metal lead singer. But those who know her previous band will know how great her voice is. 

So album number four (or three depends on how you view Pure Air) and not so much a change in direction as it is still the pop rock all out great music but I think she has moved on. Her real name on the album really means nothing but I think it just makes it right and the album for me seems more personal. Upon listening to the album I find this to be so. 

Album opener "Feel Alive" is a perfect start, pop music and fun. It feel warm and the music is catchy. Flowing into "You Want To Be Free" some hint of guitars help back up her rock roots. Nice catchy riffs flow over the song and keep you singing along. "Everything Is Changing" is a song everyone could write as wehn you get to a certain age you do notice difference's but her voice and the simplicity of the music just melt into a great song. Next two tracks are more rock than pop "Take Me Home" and "I Wake Up" are no album fillers but listen. Her voice changes to the lyrical content. The album sounds very good on my HIFI and production is spot on. "Circles" is the big ballad type of song, it really is just her and a piano. That voice comes out so well on this song, I have had this on repeat and each time it sounds better and bigger. "My Boy" has a great video made where video has been recorded of her son on web cam using a laptop. The footage is taken over a couple of years and cut together showing him growing. Lyrically personal and a real special song to share with the world.  

Next up is "Stay" more of an all out rock song, borrowing from her past but her voice has been recorded on a few tracks and widened over the two speakers. More Anneke's voice the better I say. 

"Hope, Pray, Dance, Play" takes us back to pop and more catchy rock music in "Slow Me Down" each track on the album has a similar sound and feel but still retain individuality. Album closer "1000 Miles Away From You" is a nice band song with the whole band getting in here and showing there skills. Again her voice steals the show and sounds so great all the time. 

This album was a surprise to me as I do like her work and enjoyed this immensely but the replay factor is so great. An album that makes you feel better on a crap day is an album that is special. Anneke really opens up here and you can tell she is a rare breed of singer one who loves music and is in the business for the right reason. 

Converge, All We Love We Leave Behind

Yes yes yes, I get to put converge in my albums of the year. Last album Axe to Fall was a great return to form and an album I still play. But could they do better? YES and by hell it is better. Over ten years after Jane Doe they have made another amazing album. Converge to me do not equal big riffs or loud music or even screaming vocals. To me it is quality, each and every time. All I ask is to put as much of you into the music as you can and they do it every time. It is pointless reviewing each track as they all are fantastically brutal and so concise. The drums are faster and louder firing between all out lunacy and epicness in a millisecond. Riffs and many of them, loud cutting and making Slipknot look like a children's party entertainers. The guitars know how to throw you about the room with big rhythm and lead switching before you can blink. Yeat another album to show the kids how it is done. Great stuff!

Deathspell Omega, Drought

I have been very close to putting Deathspell Omega in my albums of the year a few times. So much so in 2011 Mass Grave Aesthetics, Diabolus Absconditus should have been in my top albums. I think it is more time that was why I didn't put it in. You need some real listening time to really get this band as each listen opens up new tantalizing extremities of music. This years offering Drought is another one of there EPs and I think it is there most easily accessible release to date. Clocking in at 20 minutes (but feeling way longer) the six tracks here cover more ground than most bands do in a decade. Some real care has been taken on the music. Production is fantastic and the music is just so well made. I have praised this band so many times in the past but this one is the album for all.

Enslaved,  RIITIIR

Not another black metal band? No not really as this band have come so far from there first few album. This one follows on from past great album in Isa (2004) and Ruun (2006). More a progressive metal sound that a Black Metal classic.
They have taken the time on this album and you can hear it in every note. This is there twelfth album and what a way to hit the dozen mark. The music is heavy but very melodic, the guitars sound like they were conducted by a mathematician. Epic but not overwhelming and nothing as wanky as Pink Floyd. They go from the first track to the second as if they had more ideas but had to move on so give you a riff that takes off your head.
The vocals are heavy and growling but you rarely notice as the music is so good. The clear vocals come in when you really don't expect and just help the flow of the music.

Nile, At The Gates Of Sethu

And I can put in Nile this year not just because they are great and I like them but because this was the best Death Metal album this year. Add in the fact it is one of there best albums and it is better than my favorite In Their Darkened Shrines (2002).
Ten years is a long time in music and the band are still going strong and this album still uses Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism as the focal point. An album and band that give you a history lesson as well as an ear full of the best death metal in the world. Many bands exist in the DM underground that call themselves technical and extreme but few can really make it cross over to the masses.

Pil, This is Pil

Oh yeas so happy to have this here as was the first full length in 20 years. I did think this was not making my album of the year but it is still being played even today so job done Mr Rotten.
Not quite as direct as past albums but times have changed. The band was formed after that butter commercial as John had no money do do Pil again. As record companies will not pay for the album or band. The one off butter add paid for this and the first tour and I like to think money well spent. This album has so many styles and it is like a best off album in a way as past albums were varied but more focused for the whole LP. This album carries the same F you attitude but just gets over on the radio (watch the PIL performance on Jooles Holland and see what I mean). This is a fun album and a very well made one at that. The backing band is made up of some ex Pil members and also prolific pop musicians and i think that gives the sound John wanted. Direct and fun, easily assessable to all.

Swans, the Seer

Michael Gira: 'The Seer took 30 years to make. It’s the culmination of every previous Swans album, as well as any other music I’ve ever made…'

Too right and it feels like it. Again a band I love and one that have really changed my tastes in music. I feel this list and all the other music I review would not exist if it was not for this band.
An album spanning two hours over two CDs and made to fly by in seconds. I have listened none stop to this album and I still get more form it on each listen. Seeing the band play like is a real treat and this album just adds a slice of lemon to the experience as they have captured that live feel so well here. The 30 minute track was made over all the gigs they played and added to over the last two years. Music for this is for very few as past albums are pretty out there but if you have the guts (and time) get this and prepare to change.

Baby Godzilla, Oche

More an EP or even a mini album but that is all I need to hear of this band. Saw them support another band I instantly loved them, with a live set that would make most metal bands blush. They run, jump and show the rock bands how it is done. The guitars are at 11 and the amps are at 12 here. Loud and proud and you can feel the anger and energy just on the first few tracks. It is nothing new but it is a great all out debut. If they can take 10% of the energy here to the first full length album then we may have another album of the year. "Powerboat Disaster" is one of my songs of the year and also video of the year (Check it out on you tube). Great music that makes me proud to be British. Now to go and break something. 

Goat, World Music

A band steeped in mystery, they are said to come from a remote village called Korpolombolo in deepest darkest Sweden. Being a band for 30-40 years and practicing voodoo.

It is a nice story and for a second you want a quick listen. Wow what an album. It is called World Music for a reason and it mixes so many styles. Track one and two are so different that I wondered if my CD was broken. But no this is a real treat and an album that has psychedelic rock mixed with post punk funk and African beats. I saw them live as well and again a real treat to the ears and eyes, they can play and do all this on stage and more so make it better. This album has topped a few album of 2012 charts and I can see why. Very addictive album and one that will stay with you for a long time.  

Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Psychedelic Pill

Classic Neil Young and Crazy Horse. You may have seen this in some shops as it is pretty good. A little change of direction from that last few albums. More of a classic southern feel to it bit like Lynyrd Skynyrd but on some really good drugs.

This is a 2 CD set and track one is a whopping 27 minutes. But that is the good news. The band are playing and sounding great and Neil is playing lead guitar and chucking out feedback and whammy bar riffs a plenty. But all of it feels great and you get into the music so well. The lyrics are basic and repetitive just the sort of music to get you singing along.

Much of the album is set firmly in the fuzzy folk rock of the 60s but it never sounds too old or even boring. The guitar playing is fantastic and always keeps you interested. This is one of those albums that has been done in the studio after jamming for weeks. The highlights are plenty on this 90 minute album. "Ramada Inn" on CD1 and "Walk Like a Giant" are fantastic and the two alone could have made up one great album. Add in the great first track "Driftin' Back".

There are times music like this can be boring and it if a fine line at times as well. This is not at all boring or even commercial. It is a music lovers album as double albums never seem to be that big in the casual music listeners taste. There are plenty of bands who cater for the AOR side of music taste and I feel this is not for them and thankfully so. Two discs of sheer bliss go buy it now.

Ian Mcnabb, Little Episodes

Slight change in sound for Mr Mcnabb. Well I say a change it is more a forced changes as this is really just an acoustic album. Recorded and mixed in December 2011 it was all done very quickly. And sometimes that is the best way of doing it.
With Ian being a great guitar player and also having one of the best voices in rock music you can get away with it. What Ian has extra is a great songwriting ability as well.
The songs are simple and the lyrics are sing along material "Only Children" has me singing along to one of the catchiest tunes you could ever get on the radio. Some songs have a little electric and even some drums but very little and when it is there it is still his voice and what he is singing that captures you.
The title track I can see being re recorded in the future as it is a song that you can come back to every time. Adding in some nice harmonies to the music of which most of it is his own voice it keeps it simple but effective.
In a music industry obsessed with production and how people will understand the recording this is a much welcomed back to basics and one that could me used as a lesson to all up and coming bands to just record what you feel. A great album.

Ginger Wildheart, 555%

If you have got to this page via my Twitter feed then you have seen something about this on my updates. The reason being it was all done via a music site called Pledge Music. It is not a new thing or even all that cool. All it is you pledge to buy an album before its made. But if the target is not made you don't have to pay. Simple eh?

Ginger asked for £30,000. The target for his triple album deal and with the money he could enter the studio and try and give the fans 30 or so songs. The target was nothing big but just enough for Ginger to make say one new album with great production then the two other albums would be what he has had left over. Take it to be acoustic numbers and demo style quality. 

Lets just cut to the chase. The target was 100% but as you see the name is 555%. The target was met within hours and so much so it made the ITV news and Ginger was on the telly getting interviews on how he could do it. The real total was £250,000 in real money all collected the second the target hits 100% and after that all immediate payments. The goals changed on the spot, now the money is there to make a triple album of better quality. The odds and sods take on the album is binned and writing starts on a load of new material. Add in a timescale as well as the record is promised to be delivered by a certain date. Taking 12 weeks to write, record, mix, master and upload the music. There was also physical copies to make, CD and LPs had to be mastered, artwork chosen, mastered and printed. Also they have to be mailed to each of the 6000+ fans who asked for it. For one album that is just about do able but this is a TRIPLE ALBUM.

Each album was uploaded on a Friday at 7pm and all fans were asked to share there opinions with Ginger and the rest who were involved via Twitter. CD1 goes live and for myself it was one of the albums of the year on first listen. 'Forget About It' was downloaded on my phone as I was out that day. I went to a coffee shop and ordered my usual Americano and took my seat. Instantly the voice of Ginger hits me over my tiny headphones. Melodic and big choruses it is a cross of classic Abba and Cheap Trick. 'I-N-T-E-R-N-A-L R-adio' is next and written by Gingers kid. It should be a big hit and not just in the UK. Having fun with words and melodies like the music was secondary. 

As you listen to the music you can tweet to Ginger and let him know what you like. Track three was downloading as I was tweeting and started playing and again big tunes. There is nothing underground here but just some great rock n roll music. 'Lie When You Tell Me The Truth' makes me think the pledge was worth it even for these three tracks. One listen and I am singing along on the bus home later. 'Incidental Noises' has a nice guitar intro and takes the album down to a slower feel. Yes, more catchy vocals and sounds that could snag a top ten. 'It Appears That The Party Is Over' is a great title and so untrue it has a nice sort of funky feel to it. 'Deep In The Arms Of Morpheus' is a track that Ginger was never going to make as it was written years before but fans asked for it. And as I say we are paying so he gives us the song and thinking its not one of his best is found to be totally wrong, twitter erupts and the fans clamber to say how good it is. Big piano sound much like a classic rock ballad. Guitars help to give it that slow rock number. Some nice drumming with little drum fills and knowing when to hold back keeps the keen listener happy.

 'Baby Skies' Brings us back to that poppy Abba sound. Some nice keyboards keep the feet tapping and help from gingers friends in the vocals really fill the sound up well. 'Silence' is one of the rock numbers here, nice chugging guitars and drums that complements the riffs. 'Powderkeg' is a hidden gem here, twists and turns. It is a rock song one minute then you can swear you know the lyrics already. Last song 'Time' is a blinding closer and I feel it may end the first album on a great high as CD 2 and 3 could never better it. The riffs on the last track would give Rush and Van Halen blushes. Nice simple guitar arpeggios repeat but never bore. 

The nest two CD s do not disappoint but I feel this is my favorite album out the three. As I type this Ginger Wildheart has just released his fifth album this year. 5 albums in a year and one still to come out in a week or so. That is a release schedule that makes the Fall look part timers. 

Follow me on Twitter @29xthefun

I am available for children's parties, by the way.

I am available for children's parties, by the way.

Ok so now I am 33 I can now tick of something I wanted to do. Yup, sad but 33 is an age at one point I did not think I would get to. Nothing to do with being a grumpy sod just a little bit of reality as many people do die young (or old as I used to think 33 is).

Why did I think this? Take it back to the early 90s and Bill Hicks is the best stand up in the UK. His popularity was never that high in America but he made it over here in the early 90s. He was big enough to get a full tour and even a live video made here so we could watch his routine over and over. And I did, thankfully channel 4 were a fan and showed him as well.

But sadly he never really took over as the biggest stand up as he died on the 26th February 1994. At the age of 32 (Gulp).

To see a man on stage just a few months back on TV looking well to being dead IS a big shock to a teenager, more so as his routine and personality seemed to be invincible. I liken him to when you get an invincibility pick up in a game where you flash. And as you grow up through your teens his sort of stand up becomes more enjoyable as it is more than just alt stand up or satirical he was a political philosopher. His routines are now read in books and sold on CD.

Eight months after being diagnosed of liver cancer he was dead. He toured the UK and America while still gravely ill and while getting treatment. He did die due to complications from the treatment he was given to cure him of the cancer.

I remember hearing of his death and finding it unbelievable someone could die of cancer in their 30s but the smoking was not all to blame. He did go to AA all the time and years later more truths were published about his life. His drinking problems came on later in his life than many as he was sober till he was 20 or so. But the stand up lifestyle of touring clubs and halls were what made him hit the bottle.

He always was open on everything in his life and said so on stage. With the alt comedians now making money on telly and doing very little live work he was able to take some light in the UK comedy circuit.

As I hit 20 I could see 30 being an age away, I even remember the day I thought that. Then as my 20s trundled along I could see the big 30. It has never been a key age in history we all take the sweet 16, key to the door 21 and the 40s and 50s as a real age to stop and think (and most likely have a party).

But now at 33 I still feel as if I was 20 or even 18. A bit older and with some added grey hairs. Now I can see after 33 and onto 40. I just wish he could have had that chance.
Bill authored a verse to be published about him after he was dead

"I left in love, in laughter, and in truth and wherever truth, love and laughter abide, I am there in spirit."

Album Covers 2

While looking through my LP collection I have noticed some amazing album covers again. Enjoy.

Queen drummer Roger Taylor made a solo LP in 81, the album was more rock than the anything else. As Queen were doing a dance orientated sound he had to get back to his roots as a rock n roll guy (yup we get that Hot Space was shit). It is a great cover and one of my favorites. It is easy to get, what we think is an alien reading a magazine. But the subject is none other than a human. little unknown fact- The 'alien' writing on the magazine on the front cover consists mainly of upside down Hebrew scripture. The actual words are meaningless.- ha love it.

I don't like this cover. You don't like this cover. We all hate it right? Why is it here? Well it was banned thats why. Can you believe this was banned in Germany? It is true, the country deemed it too graphic. Yeah right as if a jean clad dead man will come alive and eat himself! ha ha so silly and so great I hate it. I hate everything about this cover yet I own it and love it. The music does not matter here as the album cover alone is a seller. I am not a fan of banning anything as people should have a choice and most choose to not buy this. This cover pretty much describes death metal to most people but as a fan I hate it. The band would go on and make more albums with similar covers but the first was a big talking point. The cover caused such a big stink the band were also banned from playing the music from the first three album. Amazing stuff, and I like Germany as well.

Its so simple its brilliant. Again back to my geeky love of photography it really just some nice computer touch up job of a photo. Heroes Square in Budapest is the location and adding in the darkness seems to make sense. I have the LTD LP and it folds out into the best inside artwork I have ever seen. If I could id have it hung on the wall, But that be silly right?

Solo album number... erm he has done a few. Icicle Works front man Ian McNabb makes some amazing solo albums and after a while you run out of ideas for covers. Well take an old photo of yourself in a superhero costume and have that as the cover. I love it, so innocent and so right. This is a man who enjoys making albums so much he lets you into his life and a photo to most people would be hidden away and only shown when the family have had a few.

Lets talk about the music first.... no no lets do as this is the best Hole album! yup music aside the artwork again is a photo. A dress worn by the singer in the 90s on show in a museum. Or as we can all tell a mock up of a museum. But it looks so good and the fact is Courtney did wear it. Compilation albums are great for fans and also artists as you can go off the wall a bit. Never going to be promoted as a main album so it can be a bit mad. But in the madness is some genius, so well thought about and in the mind it should not work.

Ramones bass player does a rap album. Yes it is real but most take it serious and hate the music. In my mind its all fun as is the cover. Dee Dee knows what he is doing and is having fun as much as me. Dress up like a rapper and and smile. Love the cigar in the middle photo it adds way more comedy than a team of Friends head writers.

The older you get the more knowledgeable and traveled you get. Lets make an album of music that sounds like my travels. The cover has to show this as well. Job done! Not sure about the dead rabbit but love the silver skull. I would have a tenner on someone putting on the diving helmet for a giggle. The font for the album is well chosen. Classical music in mind but you are wrong. Redcoats are still worn just in London mind you but is all ok as the empire is no more now and its all just fun. The album ends with 'Ca The Yowes' a personal favorite and one of yours as well if you buy it.

I don't know if this exists but I have this album on CD but with a different cover. This comes up on my media player as the cover. it may be an alternative but it is amazing. bad quality as it is all I can find but documented here for prosperity or until google delete it. A blurry photo of a woman, or is it? Could be a man. Or a mannequin. Reminds me to put my seatbelt on.

Chainsaw a baton and a gun. Cheap Trick are a great band but a band with an imagination and also humor. Why has rick got a cap and the rest sailor style caps? Is he the leader? He does have a chainsaw. I think much gin was used before hand but the patched on the jackets reminds you of the album name. Also a song and a great one at that.

Does this make you want to listen? It should, worked for me. My first Celtic Frost album and a highlight of 00s music. Religion is amazing, more so when you don't believe in it. The cross for the T is why I have this here. Yeah the cover is good and makes you look away. But the name and that cross... Is it a tribute to Black Sabbath (Who had inverted crosses in there albums) or a statement?