Album Art Spotlight

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John Zorn – Spy Vs. Spy

(Artist: Mark Beyer; 1989)

   ”Ecars”

Wikipedia has this to say about Beyer: “Beyer is a comic artist known for his bleak story lines, often featuring death, disfigurement, depression, and humiliation, which contrast with his childlike, geometric drawing style.” In addition to this cover, Beyer also created poster and t-shirt designs for Zorn’s extreme jazz band, Naked City.

Sonic Youth – Goo

(Artist: Raymond Pettibon; 1990)

   ”Kool Thing”

This Pettibon illustration is based on a paparazzi photo of Maureen Hindley and her first husband David Smith, witnesses in the case of serial killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, driving to the trial in 1966.

Dinosaur Jr. – Start Choppin

(Artist: Angry Johnny; 1992)

   ”Start Choppin”

Don’t know much about Angry Johnny, but he did all of the artwork for Dino Jr’s Where You Been record, including the cover to the lead single (and minor MTV hit), “Start Choppin.” Kind of morbid but oddly enjoyable to look at. Coupled with J Mascis’ blistering guitar solo and “Start Choppin” is the perfect package.

Half Japanese – Fire in the Sky

(Artist: Jad Fair; 1993)

   ”Eye of the Hurricane”

Both Fair brothers (David and Jad) are talented artists as well as lo-fi musical alchemists. They each have created several wonderful pieces for Half Japanese album covers and are both accomplished paper-cut artists They’re represented by the Austin visionary art gallery, Yard Dog..

Gong – Pre-Modernist Wireless: The Peel Sessions 1971-1974

(Artist: Daevid Allen; 1995)

   ”You Can’t Kill Me”

Psychedelic space rock legend, Daevid Allen has been leading his merry band of Gong for nearly 40 years now. His quirky art has been gracing Gong covers since the 1970s, and while the Flying Teapot album is his best known (in terms of music and visual iconography), I prefer the illustration on Gong’s collection of Peel Sessions recordings from the band’s heyday, and which only saw the light of day in 1995.

Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

(Artist: George Salisbury; 2002)

   ”Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1″

Referred to as the “the Lips’ resident designer” on the band’s website, George Salisbury colorful illustration on Yoshimi is a triumph. The Dolby Digital 5.1, DVD-Audio version of the album is even tastier. Salisbury created Frequency Waveform Cartoons “to gently lead you along the audio journey. Bursts of colour synchronised to specific frequencies selected individually for each track, these are oddly yet reassuringly mesmeric bouncing and pulsating treasures.”

Gorillaz – G-Sides

(Artist: Jamie Hewlett; 2002)

   ”Latin Simone”

Hewlett was best known for his illustrations for the comic strip Tank Girl before joining forces with Blur’s Damon Albarn to create the virtual band, Gorillaz.

The Pine Valley Cosmonauts – The Executioner’s Last Songs Volume 1

(Artist: Jon Langford; 2002)

   ”Poor Ellen Smith” with Neko Case

Jon Langford, of the Mekons and Waco Brothers, along with a who’s-who of alt-country stars (including Steve Earle, Neko Case, Rhett Miller, Rosie Flores) put together a three-volume set of songs about death to benefit the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty. Langford, an accomplished visionary artist, provided the striking cover image.

Calexico – Black Heart EP

(Artist: Victor Gastelum; 2004)

   ”Black Heart”

This was a hard choice as Gastelum’s stunning spray paint stencil multiples have graced the covers of several great Calexico albums, including Black Light, Convict Pool, Even My Sure Things Fall Through and Hot Rail. I chose the Black Heart cover because I love the religious imagery in the kneeling woman and the album’s title.

Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy EP

(Artist: William Schaff; 2005)

   ”No Key, No Plan”

William Schaff is a Providence, Rhode Island based artist who detailed paintings and collages have graced all of the albums by Okkervil River as well as covers for Songs: Ohia and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. His work often addresses the Holocaust and terrorism and is definitely worth a closer look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samsa1973/.

Menomena – Friend and Foe EP

(Artist: Craig Thompson; 2007)

   ”The Pelican”

A stunning cover created by acclaimed graphic novelist, Craig Thompson (of Blanket fame), Friend and Foe won a Grammy Award for best recording package. If you have the cash, pick up a copy of the CD as it features a layout consisting of die-cut shapes, decoder rings, and hidden messages. The visuals are as enjoyable as the band’s off beat experimental arrangements.

Krafty Kuts – Back to Mine Compilation

(Artist: Tommy Penton; 2008)

   ”Roll Over Baby” by A.Skillz & Krafty Kuts

Like the music, almost all of the artwork in the 28 volume Back to Mine series of artist-curated compilations is stunning. I love vibe on this Krafty Kuts sleeve and the grooves within are ace as well, especially the jazzy rendition of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” and old school rap joint, “Capt. Rock To The Future Shock,” included here.

Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power & the Amorphous Strums – Dark Developments

(Artist: Terry Rowlett; 2008)

   ”Little Fucker”

Although not a traditional “cartoon,” I had to include this cover because it is just so amazing and deserves some props. Rowlett, now based in Saugerties, NY, “spent the decade of his thirties living in the indie rock college town of Athens, Georgia where he earned his M.F.A. in painting at the University of Georgia. During these years, he lived a life of contradiction, holding court in hipster bohemian barrooms and carousing with coeds at backyard band bashes, all the while maintaining his convictions to the hellfire and brimstone teachings which declared such a lifestyle to be sinful.” If you want to see more mind blowing art, check out Rowlett’s site, http://www.terryrowlett.com. If you want to hear more of Vic Chesnutt’s brilliant music (and I highly recommend you seek it out), check it out at http://www.vicchesnutt.com.

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