Behind the Covers
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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.

15 curated covers

Technique by New Order — album cover art
Technique
New Order · 1989
Disintegration by The Cure — album cover art
Disintegration
The Cure · 1989
Doolittle by Pixies — album cover art
Doolittle
Pixies · 1989
Surfer Rosa by Pixies — album cover art
Surfer Rosa
Pixies · 1988
Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth — album cover art
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth · 1988
Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths — album cover art
Louder Than Bombs
The Smiths · 1987
The Joshua Tree by U2 — album cover art
The Joshua Tree
U2 · 1987
Skylarking by XTC — album cover art
Skylarking
XTC · 1986
The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths — album cover art
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths · 1986
Meat Is Murder by The Smiths — album cover art
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths · 1985
Hounds of Love by Kate Bush — album cover art
Hounds of Love
Kate Bush · 1985
Hatful of Hollow by The Smiths — album cover art
Hatful of Hollow
The Smiths · 1984
Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads — album cover art
Stop Making Sense
Talking Heads · 1984
Power, Corruption & Lies by New Order — album cover art
Power, Corruption & Lies
New Order · 1983
Sandinista! by The Clash — album cover art
Sandinista!
The Clash · 1980

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