Our Countdown Of The Coolest Album Covers Ever

4. Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart

Designer: Captain Beefheart (himself)

The image is used for identification in the context of critical commentary of the work for which it serves as cover art. It makes a significant contribution to the user’s understanding of the article, which could not practically be conveyed by words alone. The image is placed in the infobox at the top of the article discussing the work, to show the primary visual image associated with the work, and to help the user quickly identify the work and know they have found what they are looking for. Use for this purpose does not compete with the purposes of the original artwork, namely the artist’s providing graphic design services to music concerns and in turn marketing music to the public.

3. The Man-Machine by Kraftwerk

Designer: Karl Klefisch/Günther Fröhling

The defining image of the German electronic pioneers – this perfectly captures the essence of Kraftwerk. Inspired by the 1930s Modernist movement, particularly El Lissitzky, the strict red and black colour scheme, arrangement of the band members in quasi-robotic fashion and translation of the title into various languages all adds up to a seriously cool album cover. Sehr guht, sehr cool.

What other classic punk album places #2 on our countdown? Click “Next” to find out.