Often when people think of great album covers, they often look to the past. Though Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and many others had some great cover artwork, there are many contemporary album designs that are just as good.

Album covers are a great source of inspiration for illustration in design. Many modern bands, in an effort to stand out from the pack, have gone above and beyond with their album covers, which will undoubtedly become part of the amazing album design canon.

This is a collection of 20 modern album cover designs that inspired the author, Adam Farwell, as having great artwork, illustration and design sensibilities. Any of them would look perfect on a t-shirt, print or poster and he’d proudly wear or decorate with any of them. They’re presented in no order other than alphabetical.

Abe Vigoda: Skeleton

Blacklisted: No One Deserves to be Here More than Me

The Coathangers: Scramble

Com Truise: In Decay

Dead to Me: Cuban Ballerina

The Dismemberment Plan: Emergency and I

Electric Six: Flashy

Future Islands: On the Water

Future of the Left: Travels With Myself and Another

Iron Chic: Not Like This

Killing the Dream: Lucky Me

Lightning Bolt: Wonderful Rainbow

Neon Indian: Psychic Chasms

Parts & Labor: Receivers

Rational Anthem: Breadline

Red Fang: Murder the Mountains

Screaming Females: Castle Talk

Sister Kisser: Vipers

Sonic Youth: Sonic Nurse

The Howling Wind: Of Babalon

If you enjoy this post, you may also want to check out these others:

34 Excellent Print Ads for Your Creative Inspiration
40 Creative Brochure Designs For Your Inspiration
40 VERY Cool Examples of Concept Art
So You Think Your Brochure is Unique?
30 Creative Examples of Poster Designs Using Typography

This article is published by Will Sherwood | The Sherwood Group |Website Design | Graphic Design | Marketing Communications: The Sherwood Group has over 30 years of experience working with all sorts of companies, small and large. Our clients range from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 firms, in nearly every business sector, from across the street to around the world (and yes, even Europe, China, and South America). Our goal is to create advertising,  graphic design, website design, and marketing communication that still looks fresh and relevant 10-15 years later. Our mission is to stir your imagination and leave your competition shaken and wondering,  Now what do we do?”  We are located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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