Does cover art of an album or recording influences your purchase?


For me, album or recording cover art definitely influences physical media purchases, where the physical object is part of the experience.

Cover art may never be as powerful as the music itself, but it carries its own quiet weight. It represents love, life, death, and the essence of a particular time in a musician’s journey. It captures what the music feels, without needing a single note.

Many are works of art and have become as famous as the music they stand for—Andy Warhol's covers, for example, including the banana he designed for The Velvet Underground. And there are many more! 

On flip side, If you’re buying based purely on artist or recommendation, cover art may not matter. But for exploration, vinyl hunting, or curating a vibe, it remains quite influential.

I’d love to hear what album covers have etched themselves into your memory or even convinced you to listen before you knew the artist. 

Thank you! 

lalitk

Whether it was Sticky Fingers or SPLHB, a lot of albums covers peaked my curiosity.  Heavy Weather-Weather Report, Abraxas-Santana and Court Of The Crimson King-King Crimson are a few more.

When I 1st got into jazz I found an VG  original of Julie Londons 1st album.

Simple yet, I love the cover. The colors typical of the 50s and of course her sultry look.

Discovered I love her voice and has a couple of her big hits too. 

 

Of course the cover art influences my initial choice. 

My entire life is influenced by aesthetics. Even if they were more comfortable, why would I wear brown shoes with a tuxedo? 

Call me shallow, but even if they were the best value for the money ever made, I would never own a pair of Tektons and that same philosophy carries over into all my life choices.