By: Ben Clark

Please note that there are obviously horrible designed album covers and horrible ideas for album covers that are not mentioned in this blog, but this only features artists most people should know. For example, there's too many Christian albums that are quite the eyesore, but no one has ever heard of them, so they won't make it to the list. However, here is one of many sites that show such albums. Also, there are probably way more album covers that are truly horrendous, but I can't catch 'em all...

I think a common misconception in identifying "bad album covers" is it may not be "bad", but "weird" or "hilarious". Take a look at these few album covers:
A-Tom-ic Jones - Tom Jones          Zip Zap Rap - Devastatin' Dave

Songs for Gay Dogs - Paddy Roberts

                As for the Tom Jones album,
                he's Tom Jones! C'mon! He 
                can pretty much do anything
                he wants. Awesome cover, lol.
                Devastatin' Dave's album is 
                just ridiculously funny! I would
                buy it for the humor. And as
                for Paddy Roberts, it's layed out
pretty well, just super weird. So in other words, what's not to love?!

These three albums aren't extremely bad, (not good by any means either). When I look at these, I think... well, I think I'm gonna pee my pants because it's so hilarious. If they weren't intended to be funny, even better! Zip Zap Rap has to be my favorite. I would probably buy this album just because it's so awesome looking, haha! Thus, it's not going on the actual "bad albums" list below: (no specific order)

Europe - The Final Countdown
What in the world? This makes no sense... Why are their glamour shots blasting off into the atmosphere? This is just bad, there's no redeeming yourself after this...

Heatwave - Boogie Nights
As far as I'm concerned, there's not much better than a groovy funk band from back in the day. Nevertheless, this is pretty horrible, graphic-wise. [Sidebar: I kind of want one of those sweet jumpsuits] I think I'll give 'em the crazy colors (it's supposed to be funky—whatever), but I can't accept the posed picture with shapes that make no sense around them, a typeface that is stroked, streched, and not to mention looks like something I would vom after too many Jäger bombs. I do love the song "Boogie Nights", though. :)

Lady Gaga - Born This Way
What a disapointment... You know Lady Gaga of all people can afford a good designer. I would be embarrassed to put this on the shelves if I were her. Mistake numero uno: Never ever photoshop yourself as if you were part human/part motorcycle if you want people to give a flying you-know-what. All-around cheesy, trashy, ugly, and down-right stupid cover and she of all people could have done way better. I won't even tell you what I think about the typography—if you even want to call it that.

Anthrax - Fistful of Metal
What is going on here? I tell you what—if you're on the search for all-around bad album covers throughout the whole discography, this is one of those bands. This happens to be the worst in my opinion. One, what is the point in this "punch in the face"? Two, where is this hand coming from? And Three, where is the bottom of this guy's face? Stupid.

Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water
Just like Anthrax, this is another band that has successully made the worst album covers throughout their entire discography. No need to adjust your screen, ladies and gentlemen. (and no, I did not stretch the image when placing it into this blog. I guess they just thought it would look good. Was this made in Microsoft Word? 'Emboss' effect on that random typeface doesn't help. This is just embarrassing.

Flock of Seagulls - Dream Come True
I don't care what era this is from, this is BAD. Cool border, guys. Oh, and yes, over-saturating your really cool image showing off your violin skills is probably the best thing about this album "art".

Dolly Parton - Bubbling Over
HAHAHA! I can't believe this is real. Dolly has turned into water! Oh, wait. No no no... There she is in the background, too. That makes sense. TOP NOTCH.

Ted Nugent - Scream Dream
C'mon Ted... maybe this is where Lady Gaga got her horrible inspiration. Dear Ted, it's never a good idea to do: 1) make your arms turn into guitars for an album cover and... 2) never ever wear whatever it is you are wearing in this picture. I don't care what decade this was taken in. Not ok. Sincerely, The World.

Bee Gees - Life in a Tin Can
Perhaps this was a good idea in the 70s... wait, I'm going to go ahead and assume that it was probably a bad idea then too. I understand that your album is called Life In a Tin Can, but that doesn't mean you have to do just that for your album art. Pretty lame guys. Let's be a little more creative than that.

Butthole Surfers - Electriclarryland
AAH! Let me state for the record that I hate every single album art they have and I don't like their music at all either, so it kind of works out. I pretty much looked at all of their albums and picked what I thought was the worst. This one makes me cringe! WHY??!! Not only is the stabbing in the ear unnecessary, there is no reason for the cartoon eyeballs in the bottom left corner. Why put them there? And as far as type is concerned, disgusting. stroked, gradient, kerning issues, bad choice in typefaces, all-around bad album cover top to bottom.

Cher - Take Me Home
I just would love to be in the room where they were making this shoot, or even in the room where the art director decided this was the best approach. What the hell is she wearing?! I just find this very disturbing. It will certainly haunt my dreams, I feel.

Ringo Starr - Y Not
Y? (and it's time to retire Ringo. You weren't a good drummer when you were in The Beatles and you're probably worse now if you ask me)

MGMT - Congratulations
Whoa. There is a lot of unwated stuff here. Ok, illustrated alright? Content: why? what's the point? Cat wave of some sort? Surfing fuzzy creature with a distorted face... Serious gradient background. This is just a recipe for disaster.

Chris Brown - Graffiti
This may be the worst I've ever seen, honestly. It's already pretty bad with Chris Bown (of all people) holding an electric guitar in what looks to be some kind of space station. But then he has to spray graffiti, Ah. Get it. The album name and... yeah. clever. Oh, wait, what is that eyesore that I look at first?? Random cartoons? Yup, sure is. That makes sense. Two thumbs up, Chris Brown.

The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
This is surprising to me... Usually The Beatles have decent or great album covers. Excluding maybe Rubber Soul, although it was mega-70s, and fitting for its time. This album cover is no excuse, no matter the decade. Holy crap. It looks like what I imagine a unicorn would vomit from drinking too many Smirnoff Ices. That type is simply unreadable. Magical no. Disgusting yes.

Blink 182 - Buddha
I get that this was probably made on a pretty low budget, considering this was one of the earliest albums they came out with. Still bad though. I honestly think this was made in Microsoft Paint. If anything, it doesn't look like what Blink 182 sounds like at all. Sloppy and unattractive.

Black Sabbath - Sabotage
HA! Alright, Ozzy. Quit jokin around... Where are you guys looking? I'd probably rather look at that. Nice touch with the mirror behind you that doesn't show your reflection. It shows the reverse side of your body, just as a slightly shorter version. Perfection.

Genesis - Foxtrot
Wowee... there is certainly a lot going on here. Can't hardly read that type... It's hard to criticize what is going on in the picture when you can't make out what anything is...

Santogold- self-titled
I'll admit this is a biased decision to put this album on this list. Glitter is probably the grossest, most vile thing on this planet if you ask me. I seriously hate glitter! You don't even understand. If you glitter bombed me, I would most definitely never talk to you again (at least). Ok, anyway... glitter is coming out of her MOUTH!!! AAAHHHHHHH!!!!! WHY?!?!?!?!?! That's the last place I want glitter, whether I liked it or not! GROSS! Other than that, it's not horrible...

Poison - Look What the Cat Dragged In
Woooooooo.... I think Poison took glam rock a little too far, am I right?? Cross-dressing much? They must have gained inspiration from Flock of Seagulls or vice-versa with the type border. Just. bad.

Ben Clark is from Nashville, TN. He's no writer, but graphic design and illustration is totally his jam. He absolutely loves Christmas - a lot (primarily Santa Claus), believes that waffles are far better than pancakes, and enjoys good music (also to share it). So, lucky you.