Behind the Covers

Best 1980s Alternative Album Covers

The most iconic 1980s Alternative album covers — every entry has its own complete story: the designer, the photographer, the concept, and why it became iconic.

12 curated covers

Surfer Rosa by Pixies — album cover art

Surfer Rosa

Pixies · 1988

Power, Corruption & Lies by New Order — album cover art

Power, Corruption & Lies

New Order · 1983

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth — album cover art

Daydream Nation

Sonic Youth · 1988

Hatful of Hollow by The Smiths — album cover art

Hatful of Hollow

The Smiths · 1984

Technique by New Order — album cover art

Technique

New Order · 1989

Hounds of Love by Kate Bush — album cover art

Hounds of Love

Kate Bush · 1985

Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths — album cover art

Louder Than Bombs

The Smiths · 1987

Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads — album cover art

Stop Making Sense

Talking Heads · 1984

Disintegration by The Cure — album cover art

Disintegration

The Cure · 1989

The Joshua Tree by U2 — album cover art

The Joshua Tree

U2 · 1987

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths — album cover art

The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths · 1986

Doolittle by Pixies — album cover art

Doolittle

Pixies · 1989

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