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by JW Creates
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- 4 weeks ago43 min
Michael Jackson’s Thriller — All Thriller, No Filler (Why It Changed Everything)
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.
- Mar 20, 202625 min
Technology Meets Album Art: Ghost in the Machine by The Police
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 the album, the inspiration for its title, and how the design perfectly reflects the theme of humans interacting with technology.Along the way they discuss:The evolution of The Police’s sound in the early 80sThe concept behind the Ghost in the Machine titleHow the iconic digital album cover was designedWhy simple concepts often create the most memorable album artworkLessons modern artists can learn when designing their own cover artIf you love album cover art, music history, vinyl records, and graphic design, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen and discover why this classic album cover still stands out more than 40 years later.
- Feb 20, 202640 min
Judging the Grammy's 2025 Best Cover Art Nominees
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 artwork in 2025? Does minimalism still work? Is shock value enough? And what does the Grammy Best Album Cover category mean for independent artists? If you care about album cover design, music branding, and the visual side of streaming culture — this one’s for you. Because the square matters.
- Jan 30, 202648 min
Judged by the Cover - Best of 2025
Kick off 2026 with Josh and Phil as 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.
- Dec 24, 202539 min
Our Favorite Christmas Movie Soundtracks - Christmas 2025
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 history—with your favorite podcast duo. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Josh, Phil, and Judged by the Cover!
- Sep 2, 202546 min
What would JW do...? - Creating Real to Reel Cover Art
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 industry. Phil reminisces about recording techniques, the New York music scene, and the thrill of getting an indie deal.As a surprising twist, Phil reveals a heartwarming tale of fan mail received 30 years after the release of his band's debut album. This story highlights the enduring connection between artists and fans, and the unexpected ways music can bridge generations.Tune in to hear more about the resurrection of these classic demos, the art of album design, and a touching reminder of music's lasting impact.***Link for voting for Gracie in the Shoals City Showdown***
- May 2, 202531 min
Music Discovery 2.0 - The Outlaws
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 the band’s backstory, from their Tampa roots to signing with Arista Records under the legendary Clive Davis.Listeners can expect a fun, thoughtful breakdown of the album cover and album. Josh and Phil reflect on how these visuals shape their musical journey—making this episode a must-listen for vinyl lovers and cover art enthusiasts alike.
- Apr 4, 202546 min
Judged x 148 Studios - Linkin Park From Zero
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 with Emily Armstrong. Josh shares insights into their innovative album promotion, highlighting their unique fan engagement strategies.We also explore the creative process behind "From Zero's" artwork, offering a glimpse into the band's artistic vision. Finally, we draw parallels between Linkin Park's and AC/DC's comebacks, celebrating their resilience and continued impact on the music world.Tune in for a captivating discussion filled with personal anecdotes, industry insights, and a celebration of musical evolution. Don't miss out—press play and join the conversation!
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About 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Judged by the Cover as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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How often does Judged by the Cover release new episodes?
Judged by the Cover publishes monthly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Judged by the Cover cover?
Judged by the Cover covers topics including Music, Arts, Design. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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