Covering Album Covers

[Dr. Medulla]

I'm thrilled with this thread. Where HTH is concerned, the back cover is the real story.

And what story is being told?

[Heston]

I'm thrilled with this thread. Where HTH is concerned, the back cover is the real story.

And what story is being told?

Drugs and orgies.

The next album cover is the best one.

[Dr. Medulla]

Drugs and orgies.

KISS doesn't believe in drugs. And it's less orgies than group statutory rape.

The next album cover is the best one.

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

[Kory]

Drugs and orgies.

KISS doesn't believe in drugs. And it's less orgies than group statutory rape.

The next album cover is the best one.

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

I almost did that one first because it's the really successful one, but then I wouldn't get to dump on them.

[Dr. Medulla]

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

I almost did that one first because it's the really successful one, but then I wouldn't get to dump on them.

That's the one where they let L'il Heston know that they're comic book characters, not an actual rock band.

[Kory]

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

I almost did that one first because it's the really successful one, but then I wouldn't get to dump on them.

That's the one where they let L'il Heston know that they're comic book characters, not an actual rock band.

They even added their blood to the ink for their comic!

[revbob]

Drugs and orgies.

KISS doesn't believe in drugs. And it's less orgies than group statutory rape.

The next album cover is the best one.

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

I almost did that one first because it's the really successful one, but then I wouldn't get to dump on them.

The cover of Destroyer while iconic is still silly as all get out. Ace is doing that woerd thing with his legs and Gene looks a bit like Heatmeiser.

[Dr. Medulla]

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

I almost did that one first because it's the really successful one, but then I wouldn't get to dump on them.

That's the one where they let L'il Heston know that they're comic book characters, not an actual rock band.

They even added their blood to the ink for their comic!

All those fans, getting an STD from turning the page of a comic.

[Heston]

DO EVERY KISS ALBUM

[Kory]

Drugs and orgies.

KISS doesn't believe in drugs. And it's less orgies than group statutory rape.

The next album cover is the best one.

Destroyer is the iconic one. So much so that I saw it in a black velvet painting in Mexico once. Water always finds its level.

I almost did that one first because it's the really successful one, but then I wouldn't get to dump on them.

The cover of Destroyer while iconic is still silly as all get out. Ace is doing that woerd thing with his legs and Gene looks a bit like Heatmeiser.

Right, but as a designer, you always have to think of your client. That cover does exactly what it needs to do. What is KISS if not the silliest band in the world?

[Dr. Medulla]

DO EVERY KISS ALBUM

Unmasked is one garbage burrito effort.

[Wolter]

It really is a masterpiece...

[Marky Dread]

Is it just me or does the logo look kind of warped, making it look like it's also slightly receding into the distance?

The logo's also positioned in a weird place - above but not overlapping the top of Criss' head so it's either really big (like, Hollywood sign big) floating behind the band, or it's really small floating in front of the band. Either way it's a Graphic Design 101 no-no.

Maybe that's what's doing it for me. The positioning is awkward and maybe that's why it seems warped.

It's hard to tell because I don't have a hi-res version of it, but my guess would be that the logo was actually made of rhinestones and photographed from above, as they did everything physically back then. I see what you mean and would blame human error for the wobbliness.

Yep I get the impression the logo is actually there hanging from wire or something as opposed to being added afterwards. Also and probably by accident than design the logo forces you to look at it's imperfection and size ratio so in some form it works.

[Marky Dread]

DO EVERY KISS ALBUM SOME DAMAGE

[Dr. Medulla]

Returning to this thread, I offer Swans' iconic Filth cover. The teeth x-ray is almost certainly the most recognizable image associated with the band. The typography, tho, mars the impact. What would you do to improve it?