Alternate album covers are my favorite corner of the record geek universe. Most often a cover is altered due to sexual or religious content, which pretty much says everything you need to know about life in the United States. Sometimes they’re changed due to copyright issues (Rolling Stones’ Some Girls), tragedy (Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Street Survivors), or some general notion of offensiveness (the toilet on the cover of The Mama’s and the Papa’s If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears).
Basically what it comes down to is this: If stores wouldn’t stock an album the cover was changed. When and if the physical formats (CD and LP) completely die out, I wonder if artists will finally have the freedom from market pressure to do whatever the heck they want.
We’ll see, but for now you can enjoy a gallery of past heinous offenses that corrupted America’s otherwise totally naive and innocent youth. Can you think of any albums that I’ve missed? Let me know and I’ll gladly add them, unless you are thinking of the original sleeve for the Scorpions’ Virgin Killer. Even I draw the line at that.
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- A baby with a gun was too much for some, but to the band’s credit they stuck to their vision and refused to change the cover.
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- Full story and alternate covers: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1k1
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- Full write up here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-Y5
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- Read a full write up on this album here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-VU
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- Read a full write up on this album here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-VU
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- Read a full write up on this album here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-VU
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- Read a full write up here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-HD
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- Full write up: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1ie
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- One of the album covers that taught me record stores were a great place for cheap thrills. More story here: http://jamesostafford.com/2010/12/16/9-the-cutout-bin/
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- Full write up here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-Y1
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- A bizarre choice for The Beatles. Commentary on the Fab Four feeling like pieces of meat? Drug-induced hilarity?
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- Full write up and alternate cover here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1e4
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- The catalyst for the earliest sexual thoughts I can remember. Read more here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-7
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- Read all about it: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1rq
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- Read about it: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1rh
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- More about this album here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-10L
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- Read more: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1ef
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- Write up: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1pF
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- A photo so nice they used it twice: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1s0
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- What demented mind sees controversy here? Here’s your answer: http://wp.me/p1caRd-1rS
The album cover to the indie rock group James’ “Hey Ma.” Not sure if it’s banned but I saw it first when it came out and it still makes an impression years later.
Well done, and consider it added. “Hey Ma” was indeed controversial, though not banned. James made this “Deep Cuts” piece thanks to their crossdressing “Laid”: http://wp.me/p1caRd-qt.
The band’s popularity when that song was hot concerned me, as I was afraid the parallels would expose my deep dark secret. But I’m older now and more comfortable with myself, so I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly admit something: My name is James, too.
I feel corrupted now. Thanks.
Well then, my work here is done.
Jeeze, I can so clearly remember so many of these gracing the walls and racks of Long Island Sound, my local record store.
Me too. Once they made the wall you knew they were important.
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Oh yes, I feel so deliciously diiiiirty.
Oh, like you didn’t already.
Ew, NOFX, really? I like naked people though…well, ones that aren’t bound and gagged with a grenade…
Some seriously questionable taste here, no?
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One thing to note on on the Slayer album cover (the one next to NOFX). It’s title is “God Hates Us All” and it was one of the many releases on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. It is now sold with a black and white paper cover insert with three crosses on it and the band and album title.
Interesting notes, AlienCG. Thanks for the info!
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