While I agree that an album cover is - or was - often the first point at which I would be interested in a new artist, it doesn't necessarily have to be "exciting". It is, after all, only a picture, and I'd much rather the artist or label expend less effort on the cover and the music be great, than have a cool cover with terrible music. Some of the greatest albums have had simple covers, though I suppose it depends on what you consider a "lazy" one. Is this lazy?
This?
Or this?
or this
Eye of the beholder, as they say.