Best Ever Album Covers by 
AAL2014 
Here we find the records that offer something great before you even press play on them. To make this chart, I considered a few things including the photography and color pallet that appeals to me the most, how well each cover helped convey the story of the music held inside, and simply which covers were too iconic to ignore.
Like my main charts, this one will always be a fun work in progress. Feel free to shoutout some recommendations in the comments!
- Chart updated: 03/14/2023 16:15
- (Created: 12/01/2017 17:10).
- Chart size: 73 albums.
There are 0 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and this chart has not been rated yet. Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 51,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
54,799
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
476
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,172
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
This cover is magical. Just like the music found throughout Bitches Brew, its cover is mystical, far-reaching, and seriously spiritually foreboding. The colors here are just astounding and are key to making me want to play this record every time I take a look at the cover.
There is an entire world to discover in the 100+ minutes contained underneath this cover. The images only help contextualize that. [First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
There is an entire world to discover in the 100+ minutes contained underneath this cover. The images only help contextualize that. [First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,645
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
It took me years to realize they had just pissed on the monolith. Regardless, the image and color pallet of Who’s Next is brilliant and so very Who. Going purely by iconic imagery, Who’s Next is right up there.
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
25,517
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Seeing this cover simply puts a smile on my face. Not only is Abbey Road one of my all time favorite albums full stop, the photo is absolutely top notch. In terms of iconography, this cover is hard to beat. The blue sky and green trees couldn’t be more perfect. Match that with the Beatles themselves in pitch perfect stride and you have one of time’s greatest images.
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
68,707
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
76,196
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Few albums have covers that genuinely give me chills when I study them. The Black Sabbath debut is absolutely one of them.
The lady in black (regardless of how true the story of the photo shoot is) is about as perfect a subject as they could have had model. A haunting presence with a perfect set of foreboding fall colors behind her without being campy one iota.
This isn’t my favorite Sabbath record but I’ll be damned if it’s not a perfect album cover. [First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
The lady in black (regardless of how true the story of the photo shoot is) is about as perfect a subject as they could have had model. A haunting presence with a perfect set of foreboding fall colors behind her without being campy one iota.
This isn’t my favorite Sabbath record but I’ll be damned if it’s not a perfect album cover. [First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,297
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
While this isn’t my favorite Bowie record, I’m simply fascinated with this album cover and have been for some time.
“Heroes” ranks high on this chart for a number of reasons. Let’s start with the fact that its bleakness and stark greyscale color pallet fits the tones and aesthetics of this album’s music to a tee. Another reason being the incredible photo itself. Bowie’s pose and demeanor is disconnected and longing, it’s his hands that hold the real connected magic. I love that each of his pointer fingers are covered and it’s always had me wondering if that was a detail they worked on by design. Judging by the other photos taken during the shoot for this album, probably not, and that just makes me appreciate that detail even more. [First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
“Heroes” ranks high on this chart for a number of reasons. Let’s start with the fact that its bleakness and stark greyscale color pallet fits the tones and aesthetics of this album’s music to a tee. Another reason being the incredible photo itself. Bowie’s pose and demeanor is disconnected and longing, it’s his hands that hold the real connected magic. I love that each of his pointer fingers are covered and it’s always had me wondering if that was a detail they worked on by design. Judging by the other photos taken during the shoot for this album, probably not, and that just makes me appreciate that detail even more. [First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,095
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
One of the absolute greatest photos of an artist for any album. There’s DOOM, plain as day, yet some of his details are shadowed. Much like the MC’s mic prowess, there is both directness and abstractness. The mask was never used to better artistic gain than right here.
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,054
Rank in 2004:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 11/15/2021]
Year of Release:
2009
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,818
Rank in 2009:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 73. Page 1 of 8
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Best Ever Album Covers composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 13 | 18% | |
| 1970s | 29 | 40% | |
| 1980s | 8 | 11% | |
| 1990s | 7 | 10% | |
| 2000s | 5 | 7% | |
| 2010s | 10 | 14% | |
| 2020s | 1 | 1% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 3% | |
| Black Sabbath | 2 | 3% | |
| Bob Dylan | 2 | 3% | |
| The Beatles | 2 | 3% | |
| GZA/Genius | 1 | 1% | |
| Miles Davis | 1 | 1% | |
| Marvin Gaye | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Best Ever Album Covers chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 3 from 61st to 58th Foxtrot by Genesis (UK) |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 2 from 57th to 59th Flying Colors by Flying Colors |
| Down 2 from 58th to 60th Whipped Cream & Other Delights by Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass |
| Down 2 from 59th to 61st The Sound Of Perseverance by Death (Metal) |
| New entries |
|---|
 Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!by The Rolling Stones |
Best Ever Album Covers similar charts
- Top 70 Greatest Music Albums by saltysurprise (2023)
- Top 73 Music Albums of the 1970s by ars2458 (2020)
- Top 40 Greatest Music Albums by tylerapplezz (2021)
- Top 50 Greatest Music Albums by
SimulatedProphet (2009) - Top 64 Music Albums of the 1970s by
Mdemauri (2014) - Coolest Album Covers by
Space-Dementia (2019) - Top 68 Music Albums of the 1970s by jackq (2022)
- Top 71 Music Albums of the 1970s by mjp11 (2022)
- Top 40 Greatest Music Albums by Slothe (2022)
- Top 50 Greatest Music Albums by Sweetback (2013)
Best Ever Album Covers similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Other custom charts by AAL2014
The Beatles by AAL2014 (2023)Rush - The Studio Albums by
AAL2014 (2020)MetallicA by
AAL2014 (2023)Best Ever Debut Albums by
AAL2014 (2023)Tool by
AAL2014 (2021)Dream Theater by
AAL2014 (2021)Bob Dylan- So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Iron Maiden- The Studio Albums by
AAL2014 (2021)Led Zeppelin- The Studio Albums by
AAL2014 (2016)Modern Drummer's 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time (2014) by
AAL2014 (2017)John Coltrane.... So Far.... by
AAL2014 (2023)Miles Davis... So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)My Favorite Mike Portnoy Albums by
AAL2014 (2021)Black Sabbath: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Mastodon by
AAL2014 (2021)Bruce Springsteen- So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Album Closers by
AAL2014 (2022)Album Openers by
AAL2014 (2023)Chris Cornell / Soundgarden by
AAL2014 (2021)Top Greatest Albums #101-200 by
AAL2014 (2023)Foo Fighters by
AAL2014 (2023)My Favorite Drummers by
AAL2014 (2023)The Concert List by
AAL2014 (2023)Queen- So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Jazz/Jazz Fusion/Jazz Rock by
AAL2014 (2023)Judas Priest: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Manchester Orchestra by
AAL2014 (2023)Thin Lizzy- So Far... by
AAL2014 (2019)Deep Purple: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)U2: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Death by
AAL2014 (2023)Motorhead: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2021)Alice Cooper: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Fiona Apple by
AAL2014 (2023)David Bowie: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Rush - The Live Albums by
AAL2014 (2021)Sepultura: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2020)Slayer: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2020)Run The Jewels by
AAL2014 (2021)The Greatest Greatest Hits by
AAL2014 (2023)Rap/Hip Hop by
AAL2014 (2023)Billy Cobham: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Elton John: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Stevie Wonder: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2022)Pink Floyd: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Kansas: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)The Rolling Stones: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Yes: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Death Grips: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Joni Mitchell: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2023)Deftones: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)The Roots: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2021)Talking Heads: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)Dinosaur Jr: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)AC/DC: So Far... by
AAL2014 (2020)KISS: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Megadeth: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2020)Peter Gabriel: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2020)King Crimson: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Red Hot Chili Peppers: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2020)System of a Down by
AAL2014 (2021)The Who: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Genesis: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)A Tribe Called Quest by
AAL2014 (2021)MF DOOM: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Björk: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Brian Eno: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Return To Forever by
AAL2014 (2021)Tony Williams/The Tony Williams Lifetime: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Eminem: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Anthrax: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Neil Young: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Prince: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2022)Van Halen: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Frank Zappa: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)The Velvet Underground by
AAL2014 (2021)Nick Cave: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2022)Kendrick Lamar by
AAL2014 (2022)Mr. Bungle by
AAL2014 (2021)Ne Obliviscaris by
AAL2014 (2021)Gentle Giant: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Radiohead: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2022)Best Ever Live Albums by
AAL2014 (2023)Weather Report: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2021)Renaissance: So Far… by
AAL2014 (2021)Talk Talk by
AAL2014 (2021)Marvin Gaye: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2022)Ranking Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top 500- An Exploration by
AAL2014 (2023)Kanye West: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Worst Albums I’ve Listened To by
AAL2014 (2022)Fela Kuti- So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2022)The Honorable Mentions by
AAL2014 (2022)Objectively Ranking BEA’s Top 100 by
AAL2014 (2023)Best Ever Bookends by
AAL2014 (2023)Favorite Album By Letter by
AAL2014 (2022)Ranking The 10’s by
AAL2014 (2023)Parliament Funkadelic: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Pleasant Surprises by
AAL2014 (2023)Joy Division by
AAL2014 (2022)Earl Sweatshirt: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Top Greatest Albums: #201-300 by
AAL2014 (2023)Prog Rock by
AAL2014 (2023)The Mountain Goats: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Best Ever Works of Lyrics by
AAL2014 (2023)Metal (Heavy, Thrash, Death, Black, Nu, Grind, etc…) by
AAL2014 (2023)Danny Brown: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Thundercat: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Best Ever Final Albums by
AAL2014 (2023)Outkast: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Big Star by
AAL2014 (2023)Charles Mingus: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Max Roach: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Blue Öyster Cult: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Buddy Rich: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Tyler, The Creator: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Lingua Ignota by
AAL2014 (2023)Phoebe Bridgers by
AAL2014 (2023)Wu-Tang Clan & Solo Members: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Tom Petty (& The Heartbreakers): So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)RUN-DMC: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Lil Wayne: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Pavement: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Michael Jackson: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)KRS-ONE w/Boogie Down Productions: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Noname by
AAL2014 (2023)Jay-Z: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)The Police: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)The Notorious BIG by
AAL2014 (2023)Aretha Franklin: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Aerosmith: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Allan Holdsworth: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Black Thought: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Emerson, Lake & Palmer: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)James Brown: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Jeff Beck: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)John Cale: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Kate Bush: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Leprous: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Napalm Death: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Nirvana by
AAL2014 (2023)Paul McCartney (Solo): So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Pixies: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Roxy Music: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Sun Ra: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)The Beach Boys: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)The Kinks: So Far.. by
AAL2014 (2023)Best Ever Album Covers ratings
Not enough data Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating
Best Ever Album Covers favourites
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a favourite
Best Ever Album Covers comments
Be the first to add a comment for this Chart - add your comment!
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment
Your feedback for Best Ever Album Covers
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
| Member Levels | |
|---|---|
| Stevo796 | Level 5 |
| ElstonGunnn | Level 4 |
| Borisjones | Level 2 |
| rubkill | Level 2 |
| Yoruichi92 | Level 2 |
| New levels achieved over the last 7 days. Well done to all :) | |