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PODCAST

Judged by the Cover

The Judged by the Cover Podcast is all about album cover design. I will be discussing the designs of a variety of album covers, how the cover design helps tell the story of the album, and any cool facts and stories I find along the way. I believe that album art can be one of the major factors in someone listening to and buying your music, so come on a journey with me as we discover why having an album cover designer is a key to your musics success.

music design

All Episodes

37:36

What the Font? Why Typography Matters in Album Cover Art

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/09/25

What the font?! On this episode of Judged by the Cover, Josh and Phil dive into the world of fonts, typography, and album cover art.From the iconic typography of Nirvana and Weezer to the intentionally imperfect design of Charli XCX's Brat and the handwritten feel of Pink Floyd's The Wall, we explore how something as simple as a font can completely change the personality and identity of an album cover.Why does one font feel right while another completely misses the mark? How does typography become

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01:23:45

Never Turning Back: A Conversation with Teni Rane

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/08/28

What does it really take to build an album, and a career, as an independent artist?In this episode of Judged by the Cover, we sit down with Chattanooga singer-songwriter Teni Rane to talk about her new album, Never Turning Back, and the story behind the artwork we (JW Creates) created for the record.But this conversation goes far beyond album cover art.Teni shares her journey from growing up in Chattanooga and playing Division I soccer to studying chemical engineering, living in Sweden, stepping

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35:57

New Rolling Stones!?!?!? Foreign Tongues

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/07/24

The Rolling Stones have released another album... and honestly, we didn't see that coming.In this episode of Judged by the Cover, Josh and Phil take a closer look at Foreign Tongues, discussing everything from its bold painted cover art to the band's unmistakable blues-driven sound. We explore why artists in their 80s are still creating compelling work, the value of recording live, and how imperfections can make both music and art feel more human.We also talk about the incredible artist behind the

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49:09

Take ’em to Church - The Christian albums that shaped...

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/06/26

This week we're doing something a little different.Instead of diving deep into one album, we're sharing the Christian records that left a lasting impact on our lives as musicians, creatives, and people.Josh explores why Elevation Worship's Paradoxology became such a defining creative influence during the early days of building JW Creates, while Phil shares the unexpected story of how a Willie Nelson gospel album became part of his journey back to faith.Along the way, we talk about:Why albums deserve

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29:45

Music Discover 3.0 - Cold Roses Ryan Adams

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/05/29

This month on the Judged by the Cover podcast, Josh and Phil dive back into one of their favorite traditions, picking a random album purely based on the cover art and seeing where the music takes them.This time, the record is Cold Roses by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals.What started as a blind vinyl pickup at a Chattanooga record convention quickly turned into one of the duo’s favorite discoveries yet. From the embossed packaging and Grateful Dead-inspired artwork to the warm live-recorded sound and

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43:46

Michael Jackson’s Thriller — All Thriller, No Filler...

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/04/20

With a new Michael Jackson movie generating buzz, we’re taking a deep dive into Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the album that changed music, MTV, and pop culture forever.In this episode of Judged by the Cover, we explore the impact, the iconic cover art, and the creative vision behind one of the best-selling albums of all time. From chart dominance to cinematic music videos, Thriller set a new standard for the industry.Is it really “all thriller, no filler”? We break it down.

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25:42

Technology Meets Album Art: Ghost in the Machine by...

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/03/20

In this episode of Judged by the Cover, Josh and Phil explore the iconic album artwork for Ghost in the Machine by The Police.Released in 1981, this record marked a turning point for the band as they began incorporating synthesizers and new sounds into their music. But just as interesting as the music is the album cover design created by Mick Haggerty, which uses a digital 7-segment display style to represent the band members in a futuristic and abstract way.Josh and Phil dig into the story behind

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40:43

Judging the Grammy's 2025 Best Cover Art Nominees

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/02/20

For the first time ever, the Grammy Awards introduced a Best Album Cover category — and we had to break it down. In this episode of Judged by the Cover, Josh and Phil react to the 2025 Grammy Best Album Cover nominees and talk about what they reveal about modern album cover design in the streaming era. We dive into the winning artwork for Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator, the cinematic chaos of The Crux by Djo, the minimalism of Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny, and more. What makes great album

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48:11

Judged by the Cover - Best of 2025

Judged by the Cover ·

2026/01/30

Kick off 2026 withJoshandPhilas they recap the standout album art, physical packaging, and music moments from 2025. They debate if the song of the summer is officially dead, spotlight their favorite album covers (including Buddy Guy, Mammoth, and Andy Mineo), and highlight unique vinyl releases like Fine Young Cannibals' 40th anniversary edition and the rise of tiny vinyls. Plus, they share the best new artists and live music experiences that shaped their year.

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39:13

Our Favorite Christmas Movie Soundtracks - Christmas...

Judged by the Cover ·

2025/12/24

It’s the most wonderful time of the year on Judged by the Cover! In this special Christmas episode, Josh and Phil deck the halls with stories behind the most iconic Christmas movie soundtracks and their own favorite holiday albums. Whether you’re team White Christmas or Home Alone, a Peanuts purist, or an NSYNC 90s kid, there’s something in this episode for everyone.Whether you’re trimming the tree or just need a festive soundtrack for your day, press play and share a laugh—and some music

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46:40

What would JW do...? - Creating Real to Reel Cover Art

Judged by the Cover ·

2025/09/02

In this episode of Judged by the Cover, Phil Hyland takes us on a nostalgic journey through his musical past. He shares the story behind "Reel to Real," a collection of 90s demo recordings recently brought back to life. Josh from JW Creates details the creative process behind the album artwork, incorporating weathered textures and Phil's handwriting to capture the essence of the era.The duo discusses the importance of physical formats in music, from cassettes to CDs, and how they shaped the

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31:26

Music Discovery 2.0 - The Outlaws

Judged by the Cover ·

2025/05/02

In this episode of Judged by the Cover, Josh and Phil dive into a new round of musical discovery—choosing albums based purely on their cover art. This time, they stumble upon the Outlaws, a band that blends southern rock with a country flair, and share how striking visuals led them to this unexpected find.The hosts unpack the Outlaws' sound, drawing comparisons to Lynyrd Skynyrd and spotlighting standout tracks like “There Goes Another Love Song” and " Green Grass and High Tides." They also dig into

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45:53

Judged x 148 Studios - Linking Park From Zero

Judged by the Cover ·

2025/04/04

Get ready for an electrifying episode of "Judged by the Cover" as we explore the legendary comebacks of two iconic bands—AC/DC and Linkin Park. Josh and Phil dive into the history and evolution of these musical giants, comparing AC/DC's "Back in Black" with Linkin Park's latest release, "From Zero."Join us as we unravel Linkin Park's journey from their early days to their recent resurgence. Discover how the band navigated the challenges following Chester Bennington's passing and embraced a new era

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33:06

Judged X 148 Studios - AC/DC Back in Black

Judged by the Cover ·

2025/03/21

Get ready to rock! In this episode of "Judged by the Cover," we explore the legendary album "Back in Black" by AC/DC. From the band's history and transition after Bon Scott's tragic death to the creation of this iconic record, we cover it all. Discover how Brian Johnson stepped in, and the band recorded this masterpiece in just two months.We dive into the album's striking cover art—a tribute to Bon Scott—and its lasting impact on music lovers and collectors alike. Even in the digital age, strong

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50:37

Judged by the Cover - Best of 2024

Judged by the Cover ·

2025/02/28

On this episode of Judged by the Cover, Josh and Phil take a deep dive into the standout album covers, physical packaging, and unforgettable music of 2024. From the bold and cinematic artwork of Linkin Park’s From Zero to the nostalgic aesthetic of Logan Crosby’s 2019, they break down what made these covers visually striking and how they complement the music within. Along the way, they share their personal favorites, unexpected discoveries, and the biggest design trends shaping the industry this

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37:47

Unexpected Christmas Albums

Judged by the Cover ·

2024/12/20

Christmas music holds a special place in the hearts of so many. For an artist, releasing a Christmas album comes with its own unique pressures—but it can also become a defining moment, etching their music into the memories of the holiday season.In this festive episode of Judged by the Cover, we’re diving into a few unexpected Christmas albums—the ones you didn’t see coming! Some are from artists you might not know ventured into holiday tunes, while others represent genres not typically associated

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6:59

Judged by the Cover - Greatest Hits 2024

Judged by the Cover ·

2024/11/29

It was way past time to refresh our podcast trailer! This year has been incredible for Judged by the Cover, especially with the energy Phil Hyland has brought to the show since joining. Together, we’ve explored iconic album covers, uncovered fascinating stories, and shared endless laughs along the way.As we gear up for even bigger plans in 2025, we’re taking a moment to celebrate some of our favorite moments from this year. From unforgettable album cover discussions to behind-the-scenes highlights,

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30:49

What would JW do...? Chasing a Crashing Dream

Judged by the Cover ·

2024/11/01

The guys are back! After a few months away, Judged by the Cover returns with more deep dives into the fascinating world of album art and music discovery. In this episode, we explore Crashing Dream by Rain Parade, a lesser-known band that holds a special place in Phil's heart. While the music hits all the right notes for Phil, the cover art falls a lil flat. Join us as Josh critiques the artwork and shares his vision for elevating it to better match the album’s voice. Don’t miss out—stay tuned until

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74:47

Pro Panel - Rating album covers with the pros

Judged by the Cover ·

2024/06/29

In this special episode of the Judged by the Cover podcast, we invite five music/entertainment industry professionals to put their expertise to the test. Join us as our guests blind judge a selection of album covers, rating each one out of 10 purely on visual appeal. But that's not all—they also take a shot at guessing the music genre behind each cover! The panel includes music producer Brent, local podcaster Iggy, artist Finding Zero, and band members Sydney and Brayden from In the Company of

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40:16

Is this the most iconic album cover of all time...?...

Judged by the Cover ·

2024/06/14

In this episode of the Judged by the Cover podcast, hosts Josh and Phil dive into the world of Pink Floyd's legendary Dark Side of the Moon. With an iconic album cover like this, there is a lot to talk about. Josh also drops a hot take about Wolfgang Van Halen, and asks the question - Is he (Wolfgang) more talented than his father Eddie...? Check it out to hear our thoughts!!!

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