yes, I agree. Just recently had some lengthy e-mail discussions about the importance of the technique and print methods etc. I think, there is a big difference of relevant techniques and the "bling bling". Majority of things I have referred critically, to me, is like the "gansta" with too big jewelry. Nothing is going to make it look nice. The excess of bling bling will be funny, at best. But still, that and things like the "modernity" of 80's chrome & fake leather in couch appeals to someone (who?), these things like gloss, glitter & embossed sleeves will appeal to someone, even when it shows nothing beyond the superficial value. When only substance is the gimmick. And without it, there's nothing. When jewelry is moderate and in right place - on right person. Then fine. It'll work. But even then, one can see that jewelry alone isn't what works.
In case of Hands To, one could feel that the photo of this LP, is just as much souvenir.... artifact... trophy.. of some sort - from exactly same route that was done for sake of sound? It ties the sonic and visual presentation. Just like his walkman captured the sounds of desert, his camera captured the sights of desert?
One could mention Taint / Strict split 7". There is nothing "artistic" about it, but could there be anything more suitable? Photos roughly pasted on even more gruesomely silkscreened brown cardstock. I remember when this came out, and one US noise guy, pretty offensive with his works, commented that it just goes too far. And when you have people experienced with noise/pe for ages, and some 7" makes them realize this is like diary of predator, it is seems success to me. Just concrete link, too close to subject matter of songs, not just pasted on irrelevant cliches.
So could there be more successful cover than that? It does the same thing as Hands To, but related to subject matter in question.
I do admit, that Heretogo's explanation of context where its presented, is what may make thing work. I used to buy quite a lot of records based on how they look. And it used to be pretty good indicator. Nowadays, I don't do much that anymore. Most covers don't really communicate in that way. Latest thing I bought solely based on cover, knowing absolutely nothing of the band, was Twerdocleb 7". Not bad..