Gone are the days when album covers were a creative outlet for artists! How we long for those canvases that were big enough to accommodate heightened creativity without the physical constraints of the compact disc (sigh!).

Speaking of creativity, some artists really let loose and went so far they are beyond the realm of reality—for better or for worse.

Here are my personal picks for the top five hits and failures in the history of album covers.

Ladies and Gentlemen, on your right—Side A—I give you . . . the biggest failures!

Amorica by the Black Crowes: GROSS!! ‘Nuff said.

Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins by John Lennon & Yoko Ono: It’s one thing for John and Yoko to strip down in their art but was it really necessary to bare all the hairy details (pun intended!) ON their album cover??!

Lovedrive by Scorpions: Not only is it disgusting, but what metaphor are they going for exactly?

Diamond Dogs by David Bowie: Did he really need to go there?!

The Beatles Yesterday and Today by The Beatles: Now this one is just so completely beyond anything that could be considered good taste. Seriously.

And on your left—Side B—here are the greatest hits:

		Nevermind by Nirvana: An image is worth a thousand words. Period.
		In the Airplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel: You have to listen to the album to fully appreciate the cover art; the sleeve is the perfect complement to the musical masterpiece. A blend of genres verging on the sublime.
		The Division Bell by Pink Floyd: The way I see it, one of the best things about this artwork is that it had just as many fans as critics. The music may also have had something to do with my choosing it.
		In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson: Genius. Horrifyingly genius.
		Breakfast in America by Supertramp: A stunning re-constructed representation of NYC with a reinvented Statue of Liberty. A strange and disquieting vision of happiness. Fantastic.