Album covers can define a band or artist almost as much as the music itself. Sure, the sounds are certainly the most essential element, but you can't ignore the role of cover art in making a brilliant album
Originally a protective cover for the fragile goods below, the album sleeve soon evolved into an area of artistic expression in its own right. Strong album covers make a statement, entice the listener, create a first impression but with the rise of digital music, the great art of the record sleeve is under threat.
We want to celebrate the best in album design so you can put this great art on your wall as well as in your record collection. Our collection includes some of the most iconic and memorable covers ever made including a fantastic selection of Storm Thorgerson classics and alternative versions.
Album cover for Mars Volta's 'Frances the Mute' created in Bedfordshire, UK in 2004 by Storm Thorgerson
Alternative version of the cover artwork for Pink Floyd's 1994 album 'Division Bell' designed by Storm Thorgerson
Cover artwork for O.A.R's 2005 album 'Stories of a Stranger' designed by Storm Thorgerson
Alternative version of the album cover for Division Bell, subtly different from the iconic original
Cover artwork for Muse's 'Butterflies and Hurricanes' released in 2004 and designed by Storm Thorgerson
Alternative version of cover artwork for Muse's 2006 album 'Black Holes & Revelations' designed by Storm Thorgerson
Intended album cover for Nigel Kennedy's 'Kreisler' released in 1998 and designed by Storm Thorgerson
Mick Rock cover artwork for the iconic Queen 2 album released in 1974
The cover art for The Cranberries single 'Promises' designed by Storm Thorgerson in 1999.
Album cover for Deepest Blue's 1994 release 'Is it a Sin' designed by Storm Thorgerson
Artwork for Ian Dury's 'Reasons to be Cheerful' designed in 2001 by Storm Thorgerson
Album artwork for Mars Volta's 'De-loused in the Comatorium' from 2003 designed by Storm Thorgerson and set in West London
Cover art for Thornley's 2004 debut album 'Come Again' designed by Storm Thorgerson and shot in Weston Super Mare, UK
Debbie Harry from Blondie captured at photographer Sheila Rock's flat in Holland Park, London in 1977. Her dress matched with the curtains.
Alternative version cover art for Pink Floyd's fifth studio album Atom Heart Mother (known as Wire Cow - or Why A Cow?)
Inner sleeve artwork for Pink Floyd's album Wish You Were Here by Storm Thorgerson
'I thought of improvisation as a large ball of string (a melody as yet unravelled)'. Cover art for Phish's 1997 album Slip Stitch and Pass
'Identical shapes, one mirror, one picture, one window. How would you know which was which? 'Cover art for Catherine Wheel's album Wishville
Cover art for Catherine Wheel's 2000 single Gasoline created using 300 8x6" colour prints temporarily attached to silver birch trees.
'I took the notion of an idea, that of a light bulb above a head'. Cover artwork for Alan Parson's second album On Air
Cover artwork for Alan Parson's 1993 album Try Anything Once - 'I imagined the great bungee jumpers of the sky dropping in '.
Cover art for the live single of Wish You Were Here. 'What you see is what you get - two lost souls, swimming in a fish bowl'
Cover artwork for Yumi Matsutoya's 2003 single Setsugekka. 'A girl sinking under the weight of her memories'
Cover artwork photograph taken by Mick Rock for Raw Power, Iggy Pop's iconic third studio album that was released in February 1973
Photographed as a homage to the Pink Floyd album sleeve 'Animals' for the BBC series 'Britain In Pictures'.
Aladdin Sane is the one image that has defined David Bowie and is nicknamed the 'Mona Lisa of Pop' - Shot by Duffy in his London studio.
Cover artwork for Blinker The Star's third album, August Everywhere, shot by Storm Thorgerson
Variant of the album cover for Division Bell using alternative Stone Heads
Jimi Hendrix 'Can You See Me' portrait taken in London in June 1967
Iconic shot of Jimi Hendrix used on the right hand side of the gatefold double album cover for his classic 'Electric Ladyland'.
This portrait image was illustrated onto The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis Bold As Love" album cover
The most famous Jimi Hendrix album cover shot created for 'Are You Experienced' - often regarded as the greatest debut album of all time
Famed shot for The Jimi Hendrix Experience's 'Electric Ladyland' gatefold double album cover taken at Karl Ferris's London studio
Halo portrait of Jimi Hendrix taken during the 'Are You Experienced' photo sessions in London, 1967
Morrissey performing upside down on a monitor during his Kill Uncle Tour at the Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York in July 1991
Iconic photo of John Lennon with a flower in his eye, fondly known as 'Adoration'.
Energetic contact sheet of The Ramones performing at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in 1980
John Lennon performing at Madison Square Gardens, New York in August 1972
Liam Gallagher is best known as the charismatic, self-assured front man of Manchester Britpop band Oasis.
Catherine Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer, known for her eclectic and experimental music.
Referred to as rock music's 'Prince of Darkness', Nick Cave's music is characterised by emotional intensity & a wide variety of influences.
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band who were in the vanguard of the British music Invasion that became popular in the US in 1964–65.
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
We are all still reeling from the tragic loss of David Bowie. Here is a wonderful tribute from one of our photographers, Mark Mawston.
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
Check out our great range of authentic fine art photographic prints available for £250 or less.
