The visual stuff obviously doesn't matter vs. the music. Having said that, I don't think they're "weary" on the front cover of Beatles for Sale. That's just received wisdom -- all hail the power of suggestion. We've been reading for years that they were "tired" in that photo, so of course people get that idea stuck in their heads. They're just not smiling in a condescending, show-bizzy way. Big deal. It's an overcast day, the focus is soft and the colors are muted. It's a classy, non-"pop" cover. (And if that's not a sarcastic Lennon album title, I don't know what is!)