Best Album Art of the Decade.

One of the reasons I still buy albums--despite downloads being free and simple-- is having that fresh digipak or otherwise album in my hands. Turning it over, examining it, reading over each page.  Ever since I was a child and discovered (and became a little frightened of) King Crimson's "Court of the Crimson King" in my parents collection, it's been a fascination of mine.  In fact, my dream job is to create album art for music that I love and hold dear. Fun fact: Did you know the late great Phil Hartman designed artwork for Crosby, Stills and Nash as well as Poco's album "Legend"? The aesthetic appeal of an album is a very important detail not to be overlooked. The Mass consumer market's aim is to overwhelm us with visual pleasure.  The better the product looks, the better the product. Of course that's a questionable logic, but it gets the money, doesn't it?  It's also something we connect with on a personal level. Some of these may not appeal to everyone, and the order is in no way indicative of worst to best. It's just a list.

Anyway, here's my list. Yes, I love all these albums.

20 Four Tet- Ringer   (2008)

Artwork: Jason Evans, Matthew Cooper

19. Sigur-Rós- Með Suð Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust  (2008)

Artwork: Ryan McGinley (photography)

18.The Whitest Boy Alive Rules (2009)

Artwork: Geoff McFetridge

17. The Rural Alberta Advantage- Hometowns  (2009)

Artwork:? It's brilliant! 

16. Freescha- Head Warlock Double Stare (2006)

Artwork: the Thrill of Death

15. Elbow- The Seldom Seen Kid  (2008)

Artwork: Red Design & Oliver East

14. Wintersleep- Untitled (2005)

Artwork: Paul and Jud, James Mejia. 

13. Radiohead- Kid A  (2000)

Artwork: Stanley & Tchock (Yorke)

12. Death From Above 1979- You're a Woman, I'm a Machine  (2004)

Artwork: (Design) JFK

11: múm- Summer Make Good  (2004)

Artwork: Dave Howell, Dave Thomas

10. Bright Eyes- I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)

Artwork: Zack Nipper

9. Autechre- Draft:  (2003)

Artwork: Andrew Rutterford

8. Molina & Johnson Molina & Johnson  (2009)

Artwork:  Daniel Murphy

7. Department of Eagles- The Whitey on the Moon LP.  (2003)

Artwork:?

6. Matthew Good- Hospital Music  (2007)

Artwork: Jeremy Crowle

5. Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)

Artwork: Lawrence Azerrad, Jeff Smith/Sundazed, Sam Jones (Photography)

4. Engineers-  Engineers (2005)

Artwork:  David Thorpe,  Maureen Paley

3.  The Memory Tapes- Seek Magic  (2009)

Artwork: Tomory Dodge, Voodoo Deisgn

2. Pedro the Lion- Control  (2002)

Artwork: Ryan Clark

1. Black Mountain- In the Future  (2008)

Artwork: Jeremy Schmidt