Music Covers: 20 most inspiring album covers of all times

It may seem that the only thing an album cover should inspire is to buy the album it covers. However, if it were that simple, a sign saying ‘Buy this, it’s cool’ would do excellently. Well, it doesn’t. So, below follows the list of the covers that affected the minds of lots of people in a way making them think further of something, which is, inspiring them.

1

Anthrax. Stomp 442

An allusion to our planet becoming just a ball of rubbish. Its inspirational energy works in many ways. Unfortunately, pollution prevention is not the case.

2

Testament. Practice What You Preach

The cover inspires to look inside, find what is real there and check one’s beliefs against that real. Shadow crosses out there may be the both a reminder of Jesus and just a mark of a grave.

3

Depeche Mode. Violator

Red and white on the black always are as provocative, as it only may get. Inspires one to be him/herself despite the blackness around.

4

The Cranberries. Bury the Hatchet

In my opinion, the concept of God has never looked that friendly and caring. Many indeed felt an inspiration to open their souls to what or whom they believe sees us from above.

5

The Soundtrack of Our Lives. Behind the Music

The post mortem masks on the cover remind that the answer for the question ‘What will be in the end?’ is the same for all of us. It’s the ‘how?’ that matters.

6

Bruce Dickinson. Skunkworks

A picture of the totally symmetrical and totally artificial world with two men looking at one another moves a viewer to look deeper inside oneself and try to reach the harmony of one’s inner and outer worlds.

7

Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso. Io sono nato libero

A door is a very widely-used metaphor. Especially the one looking at you as if musing whether to open itself or not. Invokes a lot of thinking, this cover.

8

Underøath. Define the Great Line

The dark-blue palette and rapidly-disintegrating body remind of nothing but Eternity itself. It is always a good idea to try to grasp the Eternity. It helps to stay sane.

9

The Beatles. Abbey Road

This cover, as many of those of The Beatles’ albums, became one of the most inspiring for parodies. In fact the question ‘Why did The Beatles cross the road’ invokes many various thoughts. However, in one fact everyone can be certain: no one thinks of road laws when seeing it.

10

Queen. Made in Heaven

A statue of Freddy Mercury in Montreux, overlooking the Lake Geneva and facing the dawn reminds of a simple fact that sun will always rise. And the show will always go on. It simply must.

11

Pink Floyd. The Wall.

Sometimes breaking walls is as hard as moving mountains. Or as easy as tearing a paper with some lines printed on it. Simplistic design of the cover leaves a lot to think of.

12

Nirvana. Nevermind

Statistically, this cover has a dual inspirational effect on viewers: either they get persuaded that money isn’t everything one needs, or they start earning more, having realized a power of money.

13

Led Zeppelin. Physical Graffiti

The façade of this old tenement reminds of the ‘old hose of childhood’ that everyone of us has in memory. It’s the place it’s good to drop in once or twice a year, but that is definitely not a good idea to stay there for the rest of life. It inspires to constantly move further, to new horizons.

14

Mae. Destination: Beautiful

Simply an urge to live and live happily.

15

Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass. Whipped Cream and Other Delights

It is utterly amazing what an inspirational effect can make a pretty girl dressed in plenty of cream. Seemingly-decent, but extremely provocative cover.

16

Sting. The Soul Cages

Graphic reflection on the topic of the Great Flood and the possibility of its return. To mend or not to mend an Ark? The answer varies from soul to soul, in fact.

17

Armor for Sleep. What To Do When You Are Dead

An example of an optimistic approach to answering the question “What is going to be afterwards?”

18

The Doors. Strange Days

The message of this cover is exceptionally clear: whatever you are, whoever you are, live a full life. An outstanding spirit-raiser.

19

Sugarcult. Lights Out.

A young naked body half-draped in white sheets, can there be anything more inspiring?

20

Opeth. Blackwater Park.

A mystery itself. The haze all over, the unrecognizable plants, and unidentifiable backlight makes one wonder if one can see everything better if one makes a single little step ahead.