A weekly look down into the mortal coil of music industry design.

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Artist: Nirvana
Release: Nevermind
Label: Geffen
Designer: Robert Fisher (art direction), Kirk Weddle (photography), Spencer Elden (baby)
Release Date: September 24, 1991

If you ever want to set yourself up for embarassment, make sure you’re a baby and get your nether region photoed and plastered on an obscure Seattle band’s album cover. Oh, and make sure the album goes on to sell ten million copies.

Geffen prepared an alternate cover without the penis, as they were afraid that it would offend people, but relented when Cobain made it clear that the only compromise he would accept was a sticker covering the penis that would say “If you’re offended by this, you must be a closet pædophile.”

Kurt’s wild conjectures notwithstanding, this is another great example of questionable artwork somehow slithering its way into the public’s consciousness just by album sales and critical praise of the music. Just don’t stare too long at…it. People will look at you funny.