ALT-J

Art-rock/electronica band formed by students at Leeds University in England.  Their debut album An Awesome Wave won the Mercury Prize for best British album in 2012.

Matilda / Fitzpleasure

2012, UK. Infectious Records (INFECT 132S)
1. Matilda
2. Fitzpleasure

It's an image of a rock in the sea.  The triangular nature of the disc is a reference to the band's alternative symbol, which is the Greek letter delta.

MARC ALMOND

Marc Almond, born in Southport, England, formed the synth duo Soft Cell while a student in Leeds, England.  They scored a huge hit with Tainted Love, but sudden fame didn't suit the singer, who split the duo in 1983 to follow a solo career that allowed him to indulge his interest in torch songs and other melodramatic balladry. 

A Lover Spurned

UK, 1990. Parlophone Records (RPD 6229)
1. A Lover Spurned
2. Exotica Rose

This portrait of Marc was created by the French duo Pierre et Gilles, who were noted for their extreme stylised and airbrushed images.

AEROSMITH

Blues-rock band from Boston, MA, USA were a staple of American AOR radio in the 70s.  However, it was only when singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry contributed to Run DMC's rap cover of their song Walk This Way in 1985 that they scored a hit around the world.  They then changed their style to anthemic hard rock, and attained international popularity throughout the 1990s.

Janie's Got A Gun

1989, UK. Geffen Records (GEF 68P)
1. Janie's Got A Gun
2. Voodoo Medicine Man

Dude (Looks Like A Lady)

1989, UK. Geffen Records
1. Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
2. Monkey On My Back

This features their other logo, with the letters of their name forming a pair of wings.  The track was originally a single in 1987.

Jaded

2001, UK. Columbia Records (670931 7)
1. Jaded
2. Angel's Eye

Yes, it's a naked woman eating an apple.  What's wrong with being sexy?

The Adicts

This punk rock band from Ipswich, England maintained a humorous aspect to their music and also boasted an unusual fashion sense inspired by the film A Clockwork Orange.

Bad Boy

1983, UK. Razor Records (RZSP 104)
1. Bad Boy
2. Shake Rattle Bang Your Head
3. Joker In The Pack

The disc features the head of vocalist Keith 'Monkey' Warren in full stage make-up.

AC/DC

Classic hard rock band from Sydney, Australia, though largely composed of British-born members, AC/DC's largely unchanging style has made them one of the biggest and most enduring bands in the world.   Diminutive lead guitarist Angus Young has a trademark 'schoolboy uniform' whilst performing a Chuck Berry-style 'duckwalk' on stage.  Original lead singer Bon Scott sadly died in 1980, but was immediately replaced by former Geordie vocalist Brian Johnson, whose gruff voice suited the band's bluesy riffs perfectly.  Their first album with Johnson, Back In Black, went on to become one of the biggest selling hard rock or metal albums of all time with estimated sales of 50 million copies.

Guns For Hire

1983, UK. Atlantic Records (A9774P)
1. Guns For Hire
2. Landslide

This disc features the band's famous logo with the 'thunderclap' detail.

Nervous Shakedown

1984, UK. Atlantic Records (A9651P)
1. Nervous Shakedown
2. Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (Live Version)

This rectangular disc features a live image of Angus Young.  The B-side is a live version of a classic single.

Danger

1985, UK.  Atlantic Records (A9532P)
1. Danger
2. Back In Business

This disc features the cartoon fly from the artwork of the band's Fly On The Wall LP.

Shake Your Foundations

1985, UK. Atlantic Records (A9474P)
1. Shake Your Foundations
2. Stand Up

Another live shot of Angus Young, this time pointing up at something in the rafters.

Who Made Who

1986, UK. Atlantic Records (A9425P)
1. Who Made Who
2. Guns For Hire (Live)

This disc features Young's favourite Gibson SG guitar and the thunderclap from the band's logo.  The track was specially recorded for the soundtrack of the Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive.

You Shook Me All Night Long

1986, UK. Atlantic Records (A9377P)
1. You Shook Me All Night Long
2. She's Got Balls (Live Version)

This disc has the arresting image of Bryan Johnson taking a bath, taken from the video of the single.  The track was originally a single in 1980.

Paula Abdul

American pop singer born in San Fernando, CA.  Paula Abdul was initially a cheerleader for the LA Lakers, who later became a choreographer for Janet Jackson and several movies, including Big.  Starting a musical career in the late 80s, her records were a commercial take on the prevalent New Jack Swing genre.

Knocked Out

1988, UK. Siren Records (SRNS 92)
1. Knocked Out
2. Knocked Out (Instrumental)

For this, er, 'punchy' little single, the disc was presented as a boxing glove-shaped  picture disc.

Opposites Attract

1989, UK.  Siren Records (SRNY 124)
1. Opposites Attract (7")
2. It's Just The One Or The Other (LP Version)

This disc featured 'MC Skat Kat' a cartoon character who performed the male rap and chorus vocals on Paula's most famous song.

ABC

Polished pop group from Sheffield, England whose romantic debut album The Lexicon Of Love was a worldwide best-seller.  However, artistic restlessless from lead singer Martyn Fry led the band to explore other genres, including rock, hip-hop/electro, blue-eyed soul and house with mixed results.

Vanity Kills

UK, 1985. Neutron Records (NTP 109)
1. Vanity Kills
2. Judy's Jewels

Vanity Kills was taken at a time when the band had re-invented themselves as cartoon characters. The disc shows original members Martyn Fry and Mark White as well as two new members, David Yarritu and Eden, whose contributions to the music seemed pretty minimal.