Question of the Century: Minnesotans’ Favorite Album Art

Am I getting entirely too much mileage out of the What's Ope, Dog? 100% yes, I am. And I will not stop.

A recent Question of the Century on The Loon Morning Show concerned our favorite album art.

Which Album Has Your Favorite Cover Art?

Molly Hatchet - Flirtin' With Disaster

Released by Epic Records in 1979, the album cover is a painting called, "Dark Kingdom" by Frank Frazetta.

Kiss - Destroyer

Released in 1976 by Casablanca Records, the cover was painted by Ken Kelly, who also painted:

Kiss - Love Gun

Released in 1977 by Casablanca Records, the album included a cardboard "Love Gun" inside the sleeve with a Kiss merchandise order form. Classic Kiss...

Metallica - ...And Justice For All

Released in 1988 by Elektra Records, the album cover was designed by Roger Gorman and illustrated by Stephen Gorman.

Duran Duran - Rio

Released in 1982 by EMI, the album cover was designed by Malcom Garrett and painted by Patrick Nagel to resemble cigar packaging from the 1950s.

Korn - Follow the Leader

Released in 1998, the album cover was by Todd MacFarlane, Greg Capullo, and Brian Haberlin.

Dead Kennedys - Bedtime for Democracy

Released in 1986 on Alternative Tentacles, the album cover was drawn by Winston Smith.

Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother

Released in 1970 on Harvest Records (UK) and Capitol Records (USA), the album cover was designed by Hipgnosis. Fun fact: the cow's name was Lulubelle III.

Metallica - Master of Puppets

Released in 1986 on Elektra Records, the album cover was designed by Metallica and Peter Mensch and painted by Don Brautigam.

Cream - Disraeli Gears

Released in 1967 on Reaction Records, the album cover was created by Martin Sharp who wanted to capture the album's music on the cover. He described the sound as a "warm fluorescent sound".

The Beach Boys - Summer in Paradise

Released in 1992 by Brother Records (no relation to Hulk Hogan), the album cover was painted by Robert Lyn Nelson.

Pink Floyd - Pulse

Released in 1995 by EMI (UK) and Columbia (USA), the album cover was designed by Jon Kempner.

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Against the Wind

Released in 1980 by Capitol Records, the album cover was designed by Roy Kohara.

Rainbow - Straight Between the Eyes

Released in 1982 by Polydor Records, the album cover was designed by Jeff Cummins and Hipgnosis.

REO Speedwagon - You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish

Released in 1978 by Epic Records, the album cover was designed by "unknown artists". Perhaps that's because it's been named as one of "The Worst Record Covers of All Time" AND one of "The 50 Worst Album Titles in History". No respect for the pun.

Emerson, Lake, & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery

Released in 1973 by Manticore Records, the album cover was designed by Hans Ruedi Giger.

Van Halen - Fair Warning

Released in 1981 by Warner Bros. Records, the album cover is taken from a painting by William Kurelek called "The Maze".

Slayer - Reign in Blood

Released in 1986 by Def Jam Recordings, the album cover was designed by Larry Carroll.

Iron Maiden - Killers

Released in 1981 by EMI (UK), Harvest Records (USA), and Capitol Records (USA), the album cover was illustrated by Derek Riggs...who also created the band's iconic mascot Eddie.

A Day to Remember - Homesick

Released in 2009 by Victory Records, the album cover was drawn by Dan Mumford.

Manowar - Fighting the World

THE GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME was released in 1987 by ATCO Records. If the album cover looks like a ripoff of Kiss's Destroyer, that's because it was designed by the same guy: Ken Kelly. Fun fact: Orson Welles makes a spoken-word appearance on this album.

Get our free mobile app