Muse’s The Resistance has been named as the winner of the Best Art Vinyl prize 2009.
With the Quietus’ very own John Doran on the nominating panel, Journal For Plague Lovers by Manic Street Preachers took second place with Fever Ray’s self-titled album coming in third.
Muse’s cover came from the studios of La Boca, while Jenny Saville and Martin Ander designed the artwork for the Manics and Fever Ray respectively.
John was joined by fellow panellists Mark Sinclair of Creative Review, Spencer Hicks from Rough Trade East and director of Art Vinyl Andrew Heeps, before the final winners were decided by the public.
Andrew Heeps said: “This year we’ve really seen the award grow in stature and it is a great way to celebrate the unsung heroes behind the art and design of some of our favourite bands and artists.
"We’re looking at a year when vinyl sales have increased again by over 30% and with CD sales losing their importance the canvas a vinyl record sleeve provides is really adding value for the owner as they are also purchasing a piece of collectable art. Also both the majors and indie labels are investing money in really stand-out sleeve art."
From today onwards, the top record sleeves will be displayed at the Art Vinyl Gallery, Selfridges and Rough Trade East in London, as well as Snap Galleries in Birmingham and the Georges House Gallery in Folkstone.
Doran said: "We’re happy to support Art Vinyl’s ongoing quest to promote the joy of wax ownership. For me the best sleeve of the year was Manic Street Preacher’s Journal for Plague Lovers featuring an oil painting by Jenny Saville. She’d painted the artwork to The Holy Bible, so it was fitting, that it was another of her works than featured on this one.
"It shows a young girl, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Richey Edwards, the band’s former guitarist, with a large port wine birthmark. Even if it’s unintentional it reminds me of a child who’s had a bang to the face and has had some kind of intimation of mortality or the a startling revelation about the damage that can be done to the human body.
"It’s specifically great because it’s their best album in years. My other favourite was the cover to Fever Ray."
The top 20 sleeves were as follows:
- Muse – The Resistance
- Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers
- Fever Ray – Fever Ray
- Massive Attack – Splitting The Atom
- Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
- Pet Shop Boys – Yes
- White Lies – To Lose My Life
- Editors – In This Light And On This Evening
- La Roux – La Roux
- Depeche Mode – Sounds Of The Universe
- Animal Collective – _Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
- The xx – xx
- Weezer – Raditude
- Thee Vicars – Back On The Streets
- Florence & the Machine – Lungs
- Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs
- Kelpe – Microscope Contents
- Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications
- The Hours – See The Light
Visit the Art Vinyl website here for the top 50 and more information.
