Below are six album covers that were preselected from this week's new music releases. They were chosen based on Amazon.com sales rank and for their noteworthy album cover designs. Please vote for the cover that you think is the best of the bunch. The winner will be announced next Tuesday.

Alex Clare - The Lateness of the Hour		Glenn Frey - After Hours
Keane - Strangeland		Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods
Storm Corrosion - Storm Corrosion		Tank - This Is How I Feel

According to our AlbumArtExchange Blog poll, Little Broken Hearts by Norah Jones is the best album cover for the week of May 1, 2012. The cover received 34% of the votes cast by our readers. Santigold's Master of My Make-Believe was second with 29%. Rufus Wainwright's Out of the Game was a distant third with 11%.

Art direction for the winning cover is credited to Frank Harkins. Harkins has worked on many album covers for notable artists, including previous albums by Jones, The Little Willies, Train, and Daughtry.

Below are 10 noteworthy album covers that were posted to the AAX gallery last week. They were selected simply because I found them to be interesting or a valuable addition to the gallery. They are listed in no particular order.

Posted by: Vocephus		Posted by: Lazlo Nibble
Posted by: superbu		Posted by: Da Guy
Posted by: drewc		Posted by: zeefritz
Posted by: Joseebus		Posted by: zeefritz
Posted by: Joseebus		Posted by: zeefritz

One of my favorite album covers of 2010 is Now or Never by R&B singer and songwriter Tank. The tightly cropped photographic portrait of the shirtless artist sporting a scruffy beard is unusually sensual for a male artist. It appears that fellow R&B singer Usher is attempting something similar with the cover of his forthcoming album, Looking 4 Myself.

While the two covers share a similar concept, they clearly demonstrate what causes one to have a great deal more impact. The first flaw in the Usher cover is the tank top that can be seen in his portrait. It would have much better if the photographer had simply had him take it off. It really interferes with the composition. The second problem is the flat contrast. The third and most important issue is the lack of expression on Usher's face. In this case, there is absolutely no question about which one did it best.

Below are six album covers that were preselected from this week's new music releases. They were chosen based on Amazon.com sales rank and for their noteworthy album cover designs. Please vote for the cover that you think is the best of the bunch. The winner will be announced next Tuesday.

B.o.B - Strange Clouds		Carrie Underwood - Blown Away
Marilyn Manson - Born Villain		Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts
Rufus Wainwright - Out of the Game		Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe

According to our AlbumArtExchange Blog poll, the best album cover for the week of April 24, 2012 is This Machine by The Dandy Warhols. The cover received 32% of the votes cast by our readers. Peter Gabriel's New Blood Live in London was a very close second with 29%. Jack White's Blunderbuss and Torche's Harmonicraft tied for third with 15% each.

The painting for the winning cover is by fine artist Hickory Mertsching. I believe this is Mersching's first album cover. I was not able to find additional credits. There are two versions of the cover. One is the full painting (right). The other is a detail (below). I like both versions. The painting is of such great quality that both work quite well. I hope that we see other album covers by this artist.

Below are 10 noteworthy album covers and single sleeves that were posted to the AAX gallery last week. They were selected simply because I found them to be interesting or a valuable addition to the gallery. They are listed in no particular order.

Posted by: Vocephus		Posted by: Mediocrates
Posted by: Da Guy		Posted by: Da Guy
Posted by: Da Guy		Posted by: zeefritz
Posted by: Da Guy		Posted by: Scott
Posted by: zeefritz		Posted by: Scott

The cover art for Justin Bieber's forthcoming album, Believe, was revealed on the artist's official Facebook page today. The album is scheduled to be release on June 19, 2012.

According to retail listings, the album will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. The Facebook posting did not specify whether or not the two versions would have different artwork. Also, it did not provide credits for art direction and photography.