10 Classic Albums With Terrible Album Covers

Tarnished Images Behind Perfect Albums.

Led Zeppelin III
Atlantic

As a recording artist, you have somewhat of a unique opportunity when it comes to the album cover. For as much time and effort as you put into the actual construction of the songs in the studio, you also have to find some photogenic image that will encapsulate every single great element of the music inside the album. While some bands have gone above and beyond to create stellar artwork, some bands have just tried to go the easy way out.

Granted, some of these terrible album covers can come down to practical reasons. Whether it be because of a minor snafu at the record company or just a band getting started, some of these albums could have benefited from going back to the drawing board. What stings even more is when the albums that these covers are a part of are actually exceptional records.

While the cover might say otherwise, each of these records are some of the best in their field and deserve to be talked about among the greatest albums ever created. However, no riff will ever be able to save these artists from these lackluster images that made the cut. The songs may be classics, but these covers didn't really give off the best first impression.

10. Green River - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival don't really get as much praise as they probably deserve. Though the band never really were as innovative as some of their fellow rockers of the '60s, their blend of country, folk, and rock together in one place made for some of the most feel-good anthems of the era. At the same time, the band were lost in the woods when it came to marketing themselves...quite literally.

On its own, the band's third effort Green River is a great album, with songs like "Bad Moon Rising" and "Lodi" being some nostalgic classics for many. However, when it came time to do the cover, this album is pretty much one of rock and roll's most blandest offerings. Granted, even at the best of times, the band never had a lot of charisma in front of the camera, but why you would want to just take a random shot in the middle of the forest feels like they couldn't think of any other ideas.

This ends up looking less like a classic album and more like a salvo from one of your grandpa's old fishing trips that he's told you about time and time again. CCR can lay down some of the greatest grooves of their generation, but it might be better if you keep them behind the camera.

 
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