Perfect artwork

The artwork for The Distractions' first album, 1980's Nobody's Perfect, ILPS9604 on Island Records is elegant, understated and underrated.  The credits are a roll call of the great and good of the UK (and Manchester) music scene, and more:

• Kevin Cummins (responsible for some of the most iconic music photography ever)

• Trevor Kay ("one of the secrets of music photography"; Factory Records stalwart)

• John Frieda (celebrity hair dresser)

• Peter Saville (responsible for so many Factory sleeves; more recently Creative Director for Manchester)

 

Mike Finney                                                        Steve Perrin

Steve Perrin:  "The Nobody’s Perfect sleeve we had a little more say in.  It originated from a photo session Kevin had done for Record Mirror where I was standing in front of a billboard with photos of the rest of the band on it.  Peter took that and changed it around a little.  There’s a really nice detail in that you can see the reflection of the model’s face in the glass of Adrian’s portrait.  I believe the model was Peter’s partner at the time though I could be wrong."

Adrian Wright                                                     Pip Nicholls

Alex Sidebottom