25 Best Album Covers Of The East Coast

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. The same, no doubt, holds true that you shouldn’t judge an album for its cover, but there’s nothing wrong with judging a cover as a cover. A good album cover might relate to its lyrical content, but more often than not, it’s the glitzy bit of packaging that draws us in, and in that regard, is a deserving art form in its own right. It’s that physical keepsake from a live show, a canvas for the band’s autographs, and the liner notes flipped through on the first, or umpteenth, listening. It’s an integral part of the whole musical experience.  Here are what we think are some of the best that the East Coast has to offer. Long live the album cover.

#15 | Ben Caplan – In The Time Of The Great Remembering

Ben Caplan - In the Time of the Great Remembering (2011)
Ben Caplan – In the Time of the Great Remembering (2011)

Somewhere between American Gothic and The Tempest‘s Prospero stands Ben Caplan.

#14 | Molly Thomason – Beauty Queen

Molly Thomason - Beauty Queen (2011)
Molly Thomason – Beauty Queen (2011)
Molly Thomason mixes reality with imagination in her album art to create an image filled with mystery and moody gracefulness.

#13 | Penny Blacks – Harbour

Penny Blacks - Harbour (2011)
Penny Blacks – Harbour (2011)

Penny Black’s album is a double winner, since the artwork was done by our dear friend Pamela Pierce. Yes, we’re biased, and proud of it.

#12 | Joel Plaskett – Ashtray Rock

Joel Plaskett - Ashtray Rock (2007)
Joel Plaskett – Ashtray Rock (2007)

We’re suckers for the Prince of East Coast Rock, and this album cover is made all the better with this behind the scenes look.

#11 | Thrust Hermit – Rock & Roll Detective

Thrush Hermit - Rock & Roll Detective (1997)
Thrush Hermit – Rock & Roll Detective (1997)

Two wins in a row for Joel Plaskett. We had to dig this one out of the vaults, but the Canadiana kitsch has aged as poorly as we could have hoped. Full points.

#10 | Wooden Wives – Tail

Wooden Wives - Tail (2011)
Wooden Wives – Tail (2011)

A collaboration between musicians/artists/nice guys Jud Crandall and Pierre Cormier built around a found photo.

#9 | Radio Radio – Belmundo Regal

Radio Radio - Belmundo Regal (2010)
Radio Radio – Belmundo Regal (2010)

French Acadian rappers et une picture d’un ship? C’est le best.

#8 | John Richard – Blue Valley

John Richard - Blue Valley (2014)
John Richard – Blue Valley (2014)

John Richard took a note from Mike Trask’s book to collaborate with Bennie Allain on this one.

#7 | Dog Day – Fade Out

Dog Days - Fade Out (2014)
Dog Days – Fade Out (2014)

It’s an illusion. It’s an album cover. It’s Halifax based Dog Day. Winners all round.

#6 | Quake Matthews – Rap Music

Quake Matthews - Rap Music (2015)
Quake Matthews – Rap Music (2015)

Quake Matthews, just as advertised.

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