I've definitely noticed, I didn't think it was that much off an offbeat observation.
I love both albums, but I love VU&N more.
White Light/White Heat is much more experimental album.
VU&N seems to be more stripped down, sex drugs and rock & roll.
But the production on both as you say is flawless.
I've found proggies to appreciate White Light/White Heat but loathe VU&N.
I'd be interested to see if anyone else has noticed anything like this.

Just about every roots and dancehall reggae album I love has god-awful cover art.

Cases in point;

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gQtyv5xEIM...E/s400/hep.jpghttp://s.play.me/p/cspv/84-72-23-10-...?ts=1264604755http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Q5uc2ycEtl.../s400/2890.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpghttp://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpghttp://images.pricerunner.com/produc...ians-Arise.jpg

There are the odd exceptions though, like how Burning Spear and Steel Pulse albums often have pretty cool artwork to them. The covers for Bunny Wailer's Liberation and Linton Kwesi Johnson's Forces Of Victory are pretty epic too.