Alright, let's go! Same disclaimer here... I've been a full-time graphic designer for 20 years now, so all that means is that I know WHY I like what I like... not that my opinions are objectively correct.
1. Oblivion with Bells - A more detailed, refined, and timeless version of the aesthetic first seen on Dubnobass. Trying to get my head around the time it took to create that cover, the layers, the handmade vs computer-generated pieces... Outstanding. (This entire era is fantastic, with the singles and Riverrun-related singles all using the same language... what I would give to have copies of Warwicker's design books from this period)
2. Barking - Again, SO much going on here. 95% of designers would bail long before this artwork was completed. Some fun typographic play, and the insane color burst captures the collaborative nature of the album. So grateful for the deluxe edition.
3. Beaucoup Fish - What is that? A contact lens? A prism? All we knew is that it looked so cool, and so confident. To let the color sing, to lean into that simple italic type... Very cool. Hard to consider this outside of the context of the accompanying singles.
4. Dubnobasswithmyheadman - Iconic, but possibly the most dated, of all the pieces. I like this era but as I said, I think the concept was done better with Oblivion. Having said that - this fits the music very well, maybe the best of all of these. A very good representation of the sounds and themes of the songs themselves.
5. Second Toughest In The Infants - Cool, abstract, but ultimately kind of one note. If I think about how much time did I spend looking at the artwork compared to others, it explains why this is so low.
6. Strawberry Hotel - Not the most original idea (a photographic tableau of hints and references to the songs on the album), but the execution is cool, and the garish colors really set it apart. It feels like the typography is a bit random, and not as creative as previous releases... it makes perfect sense that Warwicker/Tomato aren't involved.
7. Barbara, Barbara, We Face A Shining Future - Couldn't agree more. This was the first time I thought... "Hmmm, well I could do that... hell I think I HAVE done that on projects before." The type is uninspired, and the design just feels too simple. Nothing to chew on really. (I might have a different opinion if I had a copy of the deluxe version and could see all of the art included... some of the dot/line elements are pretty cool)
8. A Hundred Days Off - Personally I find the imagery to be boring (the balloon face) or ugly (the potatoes and steel wool on the singles), but the type is passable.
9. Drift - The typography is bad. The photos are bad and inconsitent. The layouts are forced and uninteresting.
::: Non-album artwork opinions :::
• As I said earlier, the RiverRun singles are the GOAT of the Underworld discography for my tastes.
• Teatime Dub Encounters is pretty good, love the handmade masking tape lettering
• The Pearl's Girl singles seem so gritty, so cool, so tactile... love that aesthetic.
• Always loved the artwork for 1992-2002 and the update for 1992-2012. The Rorshach paint drops of A Collection seem a little phoned-in.
• I'm kind of 50/50 on the updated colors/designs on the special editions of Dubnobass and Beaucoup Fish... but Second Toughest is too much for me.
• Of the recent special single releases, I was super happy with And I Will Kiss/Caliban's Dream... and very underwhelmed with Juanita 2022