The B List: 10 Albums You Won’t Find on the Shelves of Purity at Wal-Mart (NSFW)
Artists have used nudity in their work since the days of the Greek Empire, so it’s no surprise that a few rock bands have used images of the naked body on their album artwork. Some bands use nudity to stir controversy, while a few others actually summon artistic intent to make their naked decisions.
For a while during the ’70s and ’80s it seemed like every week there was a new controversy over album art, but we don’t hear about that as much anymore. Two big factors have led to a decline in artists submitting albums with graphic covers. First, the obvious: CDs have a much more limited space for album artwork than vinyl. But more importantly, Wal-Mart has taken over physical distribution of albums, and they don’t stand for anything with even a hint on controversy. Apparently no one ever takes off their clothes in Bentonville, Arkansas.
This week’s B List takes a look at 10 controversial album covers that would never find their way into the racks at Wal-Mart (and, hey, nice racks). Some of these are quite graphic, so we’re gonna post them all after the jump and issue a big fat Not Safe For Work warning before we get down to business. So read on for our quick study of titties and penises on album covers…
Make sure to click on the album’s title to find out more about the controversy that surrounded each entry…
1. John Lennon and Yoko Ono – Unfinished Music #1 Two Virgins (1968):
2. The Black Crowes – Amorica (1994):
3. Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969):
4. Jane’s Addiction – Ritual de lo Habitual (1990):
5. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland (1968):
6. Pantera – Far Beyond Driven (1994):
7. Tin Machine – Tin Machine II (1981):
8. Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking (1988):
9. Scorpions – Virgin Killer (1977):
10. Dead Kennedys – Frankenchrist (1985):
Do you think we’ve seen the last of controversial cover art, or do you think there will be a renaissance? Let us know by leaving a comment below…
Scott Bernstein
Scott Bernstein co-founded Hidden Track in October 2006 and was managing editor until taking over as EiC in January 2008. Scotty also writes for Relix Magazine and curates YEMblog.com.
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Type O Negative’s Origin of the Feces is right up there with some of these covers. It it basically a close up shot of an asshole. Somehow though I maganed to find it on tape at Borders back in the day, in the budget bin. Wish I knew where it ended up, could probably sell it on Ebay.
Coolness. How about Roger Waters’ ‘Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking”?
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/7453.jpg
The Lennons could use a little trim…just sayin’.
Don’t forget Roxy Music’s “Country Life” I always peaked at the Roxy Music LP section at Record Land! Oh yeah, Montrose’s “Jump On It” too!
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