With a trio of albums in their catalog that bore covers ranging from plain (Ten) to weird (Vs.) to boring (Vitalogy), the arrival [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pearl Jam[/lastfm]‘s No Code cover was a welcome dash of creativity, something more interesting to look at.

Owing a debt of influence to the Stones’ Exile on Main Street — though without the blatant sexual theme — the cover of Pearl Jam’s No Code is a compilation of 144 Polaroids taken by band members and friends during the previous year.

Though there are many shots that speak to the human anatomy, the vibe here is voyeristic without being overtly sexual, human yet strangely mechanical and pop art influenced through and through.

According to Eddie Vedder, the album is “called No Code because it’s full of code. It’s misinformation.” Early pressings, however, reveal one bit of clear information: when the gatefold is opened and viewed from a distance, the No Code triangle logo, just a little bit of Pearl Jam branding, could be seen as clear as day.

[metrolyrics artist="Pearl Jam" song="Hail. Hail"]

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