A reader’s assertion that the “Iron Maiden gone 8-bit” cover for M.I.A.’s Kala had the ugliest-cover-of-the-year race in the bag caused a flashback to this year’s more unfortunate pieces of art, many of which were brought to our attention by former editor Brian Raftery. We’ve perused the Idolator art?-chives for the finalists, and now it’s time for you to tell us which cover committed the biggest crime against aesthetics:
mia [miauk.com]
I think it looks more like Nenah Cherry’s Buffalo Stance video in album cover form.
What about Super Furry Animals’ Hey Venus!?
Oooh, I think she’s heading into Sinead-O’Connor-Bjork craziness.
Has she gotten to certified Lauryn-Hill bonkersness yet? Time will tell.
@janine: I agree – and that’s why I think it’s cool. I loved the look of that Neneh Cherry video.
I voted for Bryan Ferry. Even though the Steve Vai is probably uglier, Ferry just has no excuse for a cover that cheap-looking.
I can’t even tell whether it’s the badness of the cover or the concept that made me vote for Bryan Ferry.
That’s odd for her to go in that direction really, I mean she is a semi-celebrated graphic artist….right?
Maybe it’s to distract you from the music, like it’s so bright you have to wear shades like she is and look cool whilst bopping your head.
Wow. She needs a new graphics card.
Have you already forgotten about Satellite Party????
Dirtstyle aesthetic FTW
I’m with soundbite — Hey Venus! as a write-in.
A vote for Steve Vai is a vote against his soul patch.
When did M.I.A. turn into Ya Kid K?
I’ve got to go with my man Canibus on this one, for three reasons: 1) the incredible metaphor inherent in the concept art; 2) the sub-Pen & Pixel Photoshop work that brings it life; and 3) the 50% bonus ugly fostered by the inclusion of Canibus’ face in the image.
Erasure’s Light at the End of the World, bar none.
Also winning as “best incentive for digital purchase,” it’s MIA all the way. The it-doesn’t-match-itself cover is enough by itself, the Atari (Teenage Riot) aesthetic is enough by itself, and the faux-leopard(?) is also enough by itself, so there you go. Also, oddly, the only album on this list that’s worth hearing.
@Maulleigh:
It’s kind of disturbing how easy it is that female solo artists get labeled crazy while if you’re male you practically have to dangle a baby of unknown origin off a balcony for anyone to raise an eyebrow.
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    @shanissey: And vote against it, I did. Vai’s too old to be doing that ugly crap!
Honestly, I really dig the M.I.A. cover. Rather than searing my eyeballs, it wakes them up (and causes hallucinations of movement, yes) but in a very good way!
M.I.A. can frazzle/love me long time.
I’m thirding the hate on SFA’s Hey Venus!
Covers don’t get much worse than that one.