In addition to offering the record protection from dirt, dust and physical abuse, the record covers are also known for displaying artistic, promotional or various other creative themes or messages.  In other words Music for the Eyes.

In the last half of the twentieth century, both recording artists and record labels began producing records with cover that contained photographs of the artist, title subject or other eye catching imagery.  Many times, in an effort to make creative or artistic statements, unusual or controversial images were used.

That is the case with the release in 1966 of the Beatles YESTERDAY AND TODAY title.  This cover originally appeared with the Fab Four dressed in lab coats and surrounded with plastic baby parts and animal byproducts.  After receiving a flood of negative feedback, the label was forced to replace the front cover photograph.

In another example of creativity, record covers would sometimes give the appearance of comic books and newspaper front pages.

The artwork would attempt to project some type of theme or message that was indicative of the times, late 60s - early 70s.

Another creative process was the use of die cut covers which essentially were stamping of holes or patterns within the front or back of the record cover.  Die cut covers were found on Led Zeppelins PHYSICAL GRAFFITI and the Rolling Stones SOME GIRLS.  On the SOME GIRLS cover, twenty strategically placed die cuts were placed inside the heads of famous performers, the die cuts exposed the record sleeve within and at the same time revealed the faces that matched the outside heads.  As a result of legal problems associated with copyright infringement and the unauthorized use of these famous faces, the star studded die cut SOME GIRLS cover was replaced with a similar design.

Shaped covers appeared on shelves as well.  Examples of shaped covers are Traffics THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS, Grand Fun Railroads E PLURIBUS FUNK and the Pointer Sisters STEPPIN.

A person who has a collection comprised only of compact discs, CDS, misses out on the visual effects or Music for the Eyes. There is just so much you can do with a 5 inch by 5 inch plastic case.

The record cover deserves a category of it's own since it does serve more than one purpose.  The record cover informs, educates and entertains.

The creative geniuses that produced these covers didn't get much attention or notoriety.  That is a shame since that art is gone forever. Do you know who designed, produced, photographed, painted any of the best selling records of the 60s, 70s and 80s. You could have a Leroy Neiman painting hanging on your wall  if you had purchased The 5th Demensions PORTRAIT album in the 70s. 

The framed album cover makes a great addition to any wall in any room.  And it makes a great gift, too.

GREAT MUSIC FOR THE EYES