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Because Cap'n Montgomery refuses to let the Weezer album-cover controversy die, we're inspired to point out that this is not the first time a talented band/artist has chosen to make themselves look ridiculous in public through flamboyantly awkward album cover art. Oh no, there have been many, many instances of this throughout rock history.
And, you know, we can speculate about the source of the bad judgment -- anything before 1980 we're blaming on one drug; anything after 1980 on another; anything during the mid-90's was more likely due to an over-developed, overly self-conscious sense of irony. Anything in the early 00's can be blamed on "sincerity"; anything since on the generational-sincerity backlash. Or something.
After the jump, a few of our most favorite examples of when artists have chosen to artistically display themselves on the covers of their (quite excellent) albums -- to spectacularly bad effect. Seriously, these are great records, but you kind of want to brown-paper-bag 'em...
· The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour
John [bored]: OK, so we're the biggest band in the entire universe. What now?
George: Dunno.
Ringo: I totally have it. Why don't we get done up like big muppet-puppets and look kind of enthusiastic like we're at a parade? That would be a total laugh.
Paul: A total laugh.
[The Fab Four high-fives.]
· Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
Do you ever get the urge to head to one of those Renaissance fairs? It's just that they seem sort of classy to us -- what with the fitted vests with the antique buttons, and the scarves, and those wonderfully wide sleeves that take flight like beautiful white birds. What's that, you too? We knew we weren't alone in that sentiment.
· Lil Wayne, Tha Block Is Hot
Hip-hop produces some fabulously (read: preposterously) Photoshopped images that require the big-time suspension of disbelief. I mean, Lil Wayne doesn't look like he's much for those cops to handle -- what does he weigh there, 80 pounds?? He looks about as threatening as Chris Brown.
· The Slits, Cut
OK, we realize that this album's artistic merit is up for debate. But it's not! The Slits were a terrific punk-reggae band. You just couldn't contain them -- they wanted what they wanted! And if that meant rolling in the mud under the bushes during their cover shoot, you had to run with it.
· Prince, Lovesexy
And finally, the coup de grace. Of all the self-immolating covers, this one takes the cupcake. Prince is small and delicate, like a tiny elfin. And he's also so tired -- why can't he take a little rest on this jumbo-sized iris? Don't you know that iris means "rainbow"...?
Any more to add? We know this is just the tip of the iceberg...
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