Alternative
82 cover stories
Alternative rock covers rejected the polished excess of mainstream music in favor of raw authenticity, conceptual art, and anti-commercial aesthetics. From Sonic Youth's art-world collaborations to Radiohead's digital-age anxiety.
All Alternative album covers
moisturizer
Wet Leg · 2025
SOUR
Olivia Rodrigo · 2021
folklore
Taylor Swift · 2020
Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple · 2020
After Hours
The Weeknd · 2020
Melodrama
Lorde · 2017
LP1
FKA twigs · 2014
The Money Store
Death Grips · 2012
Lonerism
Tame Impala · 2012
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire · 2007
The Reminder
Feist · 2007
In Rainbows
Radiohead · 2007
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Neko Case · 2006
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys · 2006
Silent Alarm
Bloc Party · 2005
Demon Days
Gorillaz · 2005
Hot Fuss
The Killers · 2004
Transatlanticism
Death Cab for Cutie · 2003
Elephant
The White Stripes · 2003
A Rush of Blood to the Head
Coldplay · 2002
Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Bright Eyes · 2002
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips · 2002
Turn on the Bright Lights
Interpol · 2002
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco · 2002
Vespertine
Björk · 2001
Lateralus
Tool · 2001
Amnesiac
Radiohead · 2001
Is This It
The Strokes · 2001
Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
PJ Harvey · 2000
The Moon & Antarctica
Modest Mouse · 2000
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers · 1999
Around the Fur
Deftones · 1997
The Colour and the Shape
Foo Fighters · 1997
Homogenic
Björk · 1997
OK Computer
Radiohead · 1997
Crash
Dave Matthews Band · 1996
Ænima
Tool · 1996
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Oasis · 1995
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette · 1995
The Bends
Radiohead · 1995
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1995
Maxinquaye
Tricky · 1995
Post
Björk · 1995
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys · 1994
Nirvana: MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana · 1994
Vitalogy
Pearl Jam · 1994
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Pavement · 1994
Definitely Maybe
Oasis · 1994
Grace
Jeff Buckley · 1994
Parklife
Blur · 1994
Weezer
Weezer · 1994
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1993
Vs.
Pearl Jam · 1993
In Utero
Nirvana · 1993
Dirt
Alice in Chains · 1992
Automatic for the People
R.E.M. · 1992
Achtung Baby
U2 · 1991
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers · 1991
Ten
Pearl Jam · 1991
Spiderland
Slint · 1991
Nevermind
Nirvana · 1991
Violator
Depeche Mode · 1990
Goo
Sonic Youth · 1990
Technique
New Order · 1989
Disintegration
The Cure · 1989
Doolittle
Pixies · 1989
Surfer Rosa
Pixies · 1988
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth · 1988
Louder Than Bombs
The Smiths · 1987
The Joshua Tree
U2 · 1987
Skylarking
XTC · 1986
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths · 1986
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths · 1985
Hounds of Love
Kate Bush · 1985
Hatful of Hollow
The Smiths · 1984
Stop Making Sense
Talking Heads · 1984
Power, Corruption & Lies
New Order · 1983
Sandinista!
The Clash · 1980
Fear of Music
Talking Heads · 1979
London Calling
The Clash · 1979
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division · 1979
Low
David Bowie · 1977
Frequently asked questions
- What defines Alternative album cover art?
- Alternative rock covers rejected the polished excess of mainstream music in favor of raw authenticity, conceptual art, and anti-commercial aesthetics. From Sonic Youth's art-world collaborations to Radiohead's digital-age anxiety.
- What are some of the most iconic Alternative album covers?
- Notable covers featured on Behind the Covers include moisturizer by Wet Leg, SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo, folklore by Taylor Swift, Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple, and After Hours by The Weeknd.
- How many Alternative album covers does Behind the Covers feature?
- Behind the Covers features 82 Alternative cover stories spanning 1977–2025, with cover art by designers including Matt de Jong, Fiona Apple, and Sam McKinniss.