When I first laid eyes upon the new Silver Jews album, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea, I thought I had seen perhaps the most adorable album cover in the world. But then I wondered… what other album covers existed, perhaps solely, to bring a tear to my eye? And I’m not talking about kids’ albums. Those don’t count, as their M.O. is to be cute (many of them, nevertheless, are terrifying).
So, if you’re looking for another way to categorize, list, and rate your extensive CD collection (which, yes, I would LOVE to see), might I suggest considering the cuteness of your albums? While many records try to get your attention by puttin’ a tingle in your pants, these album covers put a tingle in your HEART.
So it is with great pleasure that I now present THE 30 MOST ADORABLE ALBUM COVERS…that I know of. Prepare to get a heart boner.
30. THE BEACH BOYS “PET SOUNDS”
Some people might find the image of the band feeding goats an indicator of some sort of relationship with Satan (obviously!). Whatever the meaning, this trip to the petting zoo is super cute.
29. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE “SOMETHING ABOUT AIRPLANES”
Death Cab is oh so cutie with that tiny, tentative sketch of a little row boat.
28. LISA LOEB “HELLO LISA”
Hello Kitty. 100% adorable. Lisa Loeb? 98% adorable. (2% deduction for doing a reality show.)
See the rest of the precious, after the jump!
27. RADIOHEAD “PABLO HONEY”
Ann Geddes owes her entire career to this album.
26. KANYE WEST “GRADUATION”
Now, if only his personality was as cute.
25. CAT STEVENS “TEASER AND THE FIRECAT”
A pauper-looking kid with kitty under a full moon = adorable.
24. OF MONTREAL “CHERRY PEEL”
The James-and-the-Giant-Peachy feel of this melts the heart.
23. KIMYA DAWSON “KNOCK-KNOCK WHO?”
Kimya uses pictures of herself as a kid on many of her album covers. Here, adult Kimya in some kind of animal suit is imagining tiny Kimya.
22. PHARRELL “IN MY MIND”
Ah yes, thank you. I’ll take two tickets to Adorable Nerdsville, if you please.
21. JOANNA NEWSOM “THE MILK-EYED MENDER”
Joanna Newsom’s precious brain exploded all over this album cover.
20. NIRVANA “NEVERMIND”
This would be higher on the list, if it weren’t for the underlying dark message of man’s greed. Oh, and the full frontal baby nudity.
19. THE BEATLES “WHITE ALBUM”
Plain white + tiny font = adorable.
18. XTC “UPSY DAISY ASSORTMENT”
Baby animal jumping!
17. VAN HALEN “1984″
You had me at baby with cigarettes.
16. THE SHINS “CHUTES TOO NARROW”
I don’t know what is looking through that parascope, but whatever it is, I guarantee you, it’s PRECIOUS.
15. TORI AMOS “LITTLE EARTHQUAKES”
Tiny piano! [Please ignore crazy giant lady who is probably going to rape said tiny piano.]
14. NELSON “BECAUSE WE CAN”
Because I can.
13. ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI “LIKE IT OR NOT”
That alien thingy playing the guitar just sends this one over the top.
12. THE DESCENDANTS “MILO GOES TO COLLEGE”
The most ironically adorable cover on the list.
11. EDIE BRICKELL & THE NEW BOHEMIANS “SHOOTING RUBBERBANDS AT THE STARS”
Now at first glance you might be creeped out by the cat. BUT TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUN. The eyes pushed over to the side by the L? Just. Can’t. Take. It.
10. MELVINS “NUDE WITH BOOTS”
Sorry pervs, the only nudity on this album cover is puppy nudity.
9. BJORK “DEBUT”
She’s so sweet when she’s not attacking the photographer.
8. VENUS HUM “THE COLORS IN THE WHEEL”
I have no idea what that thing is, but it makes me cry tears of happiness.
7. PAUL SIMON “SURPRISE”
Surprise! You’re having the cutest baby ever!
6. MARMOSET “TODAY IT’S YOU”
Who is this band Marmoset? I have no idea, but you’re my new favorite band. p.s. CLICK HERE FOR A PICTURE OF TWO MARMOSETS THAT WILL PUT YOU INTO CARDIAC ARREST.
5. SILVER JEWS “LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, LOOKOUT SEA”
I’m not sure why Babar and his friends are hanging out on some treacherous rocks, but it looks like they’re gettin out of there. Shew.
4. SONIC YOUTH “DIRTY”
Oh my. Tiny crocheted creature, can I put you in my pocket?
3. LIL WAYNE “THE CARTER III”
It’s Lil Lil Wayne! Biggy may have put his baby picture on the cover of Ready To Die, but NOTHING compares to this. It’s not only adorable, it’s genius. It’s Lil Wayne as a baby, dressed up like a pimp. LOOK AT THAT RING!
2. THE BOY LEAST LIKELY TO “THE BEST PARTY EVER”
Gaaaaaaah! Oh my. These little fellas are sure as hell having the best party ever. Look at that tiny…THING playing the drum! Heart. Melting.
1. JOHN DENVER & THE MUPPETS “A CHRISTMAS TOGETHER”
Not only for nostalgia’s sake, but simply based on the cover alone – this is the most adorable album, EVER. Look closely at John Denver’s eyes. That is the expression of a man in the middle of a cute tornado. Can you imagine getting your picture taken with the Muppets? And check out Robin, Kermit’s nephew, with that flannel scarf!!! My heart just went boom. Upon my death (which, after doing this list, is imminent), I hope Robin is there to meet me to take me up to heaven (wearing that same scarf). When we arrive, we will gather around a fireplace in a little cottage in the woods, and all my friends and family and the Muppets and John Denver will sing a few rounds of “Christmas Is Coming The Goose Is Getting Fat”…and then River Phoenix and I will go running through a field of daisies. Of course.
