The Shocking & Censored Covers

The Strokes: Is This It (2001) The debut album of this American alt-rock band was a success in the U.S., reaching number 33 -- but especially in Britain, where it reached number 2. Could this be due to the cover art? The British (and international) version featured a naked behind and a gloved hand; the model was the girlfriend of photographer Colin Lane. "I walked out of the shower and I was completely naked," she recalled. "I was walking around the house, and he was like, 'Put this glove on.' I walked over -- boom, that was the shot." But for the more prudish US market, a tamer (and less alluring) photo of particle collisions was put in place. -- DS