Rock Spot – Awful Album Covers Continued
By WTJU Rock
Awful Album Covers from Cockney Rebel and Catapult. An under appreciation by Annie De Blanco.
Let me say from the start that I am a big fan of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. The English music newspaper the New Musical Express (NME) was not. But they were right about the album cover of Cockney Rebel’s first album, The Human Menagerie. It is truly awful. An unhappy looking band clearly very uncomfortable in the silky glam-gone-wrong suits, it is not a record you would rush out to buy, or a cover you would display proudly. Tuck it in at the back of the pile. Out of sight.
NME did not like the album either. The hit single Sebastian, a masterpiece in my book, did poorly in Britain but was loved in Europe. It didn’t charm the NME who ended a savage review with, “by the way, Steve; when you’re finished with it, David Bowie would like his voice back and Brian Ferry his vibrato. You can keep the clothes.” Ouch.
Catapult – this album cover, where they are trying just a little too hard, makes me laugh, especially the chap on the left. Keep this album cover handy for when you are feeling a little down and need a little pick me up. Then play Let Your Hair Hang Down (if you don’t know how I can show you how) nice and loud and you will soon be feeling a lot better.
The Rock Spot accepts articles about anything to do with rock. How about a top list of fabulous album covers? Or a sad little account of the best concert you never went to. A review of a favourite album past or present. Annie waits breathlessly for what may turn up next on the Rock Spot. Send your submissions to anniedeblanco@gmail.com.
