#10 – The Beatles – The White Album

I guess when your music is commonly described with terms like, legendary, epic, life altering, peed myself, etc. you can pretty much do whatever you want to do (or not do) with your album covers. I can just imagine the marketing team unveiling the album cover to the record executives for the first time. Priceless. It’s brash, it’s bold, it’s number ten.

#9 – The Who – Who’s Next

In as much as it was possible, I tried not to let my love for the music influence my selection of album covers but with tunes like “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” how could I not be persuaded to include this classic. Besides, if you love the music on the album you’re bound to love the album cover because you likely slept with it under your pillow at some point.

#8 – The Rolling Stones – Forty Licks

I lost count of how many t-shirts I saw that logo displayed on in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The earliest version, the big red mouth with its protruding tongue, has been the official logo of the Stones since 1971 and it may be one of the most recognizable logos ever for a rock band.

#7 – Nirvana – Nevermind

I never actually owned this in traditional “album” format. I’d purchased the CD when it came out in 1991. The second album for the band, the music was groundbreaking but the album cover completely unnerving. I remember thinking, “can they actually do that?” For obvious reasons, this CD was never at the front of the stack but I always thought it was crazy awesome.

#6 – Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced

Foxy Lady, Red House, and Fire are just a few of the classic tracks included on this album. I remember being completely in awe of Hendrix’s style, both in music and fashion. I mean what kind of dude can pull off a red velvet jacket, a tie dye shirt and lizard skin boots? Jimi can, that’s who. Me, not so much.

#5 – Boston – Boston

I remember thinking Boston’s debut album cover was aptly inked because I thought they had to be from another planet. The intro on Foreplay/Long Time was absolutely sick and I pulled the album out of its sleeve so many times that the edges began to tear after the first week. Awesome album, brilliant cover.

#4 – The Eagles – Hotel California

It can be stated without hesitation that my pops provided the influence that laid the groundwork for most all of the music I listen to today. Throughout my childhood, my pops was always cranking out the tunes, whether it was in the car, the basement, or his favorite hiding spot, the garage. The first time I saw this album cover, was on an eight-track in a Dodge Dart (Spirit of 76) that my pops owned. I must have listened to this album 9,000 times and it never got old.

#3 – Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV

The only person that came remotely close to pops in terms of musical influence was my older brother Bryan who introduced me to Led Zeppelin. I will forever be indebted. Why this album cover over Physical Graffitti, Houses of the Holy or In Through the Out Door? Because this is the greatest album ever made…but not the greatest album cover.

#2 – The Beatles –

Two things pain me about this selection. First, that it’s the second time a Beatles album cover has graced the list. Second, that it took top billing over Led Zeppelin. For the sake of credibility however, I had to disregard the music (and the fact that the guys in Zeppelin could actually play instruments) and give the album cover its due. Can’t argue it, it’s pretty damn cool and you could examine it for hours and still keep finding new things.

#1 – Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon

Arguably, the most recognizable album cover in rock history. Jon (Remedy’s resident Bassmaster) will give me mad props and Dionne (Remedy’s resident Sally) will grimace in pain. Love the band or hate them, there’s no denying this is a unique and memorable cover. Incredibly simplistic but amazingly iconic and powerful.