• More
Back to PopWatch Home
EW Home
Get Latest Headlines

What are the best indie rock albums of all time?

Nov 16, 2007, 08:41 AM | by Gary Susman

Categories: Music

Velvet_l What could be more deliberately argument-provoking than a list of the top indie rock discs of all time? After all, even trying to get agreement on what "indie rock" means is to instigate among purists disputes so vehement and arcane that they would put Middle East peace talks to shame. So I won't stoop to taking the bait proffered by Blender magazine's new list of "The 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums Ever" (the mag's Top 10 listed after the jump). I'll just stand back and let others squabble while I watch with bemused detachment...

Aw, heck, who am I kidding?

Let me just say that, for all the editors' good taste in selecting many of my favorites and yours for inclusion, picking Pavement's Slanted and Enchanted for No. 1 smacks of the same reflexive laziness that routinely lands Sgt. Pepper at No. 1 whenever Rolling Stone makes its greatest-albums-ever lists. And throwing into the top 10 a ringer like the 1969 self-titled album by the Velvet Underground (pictured) really muddies the waters unfairly. Yes, it's a massively influential album that's surely on every indie rocker's playlist, but to place at No. 7 an album that predates Indie As We Know It by a good 15 years is to suggest that you're really not taking your own task (and the parameters you've set for yourself) at all seriously and are just picking discs you think are cool. That's fine if you want to call the list something else, but I bet you guys could come up with an indie-er indie rock top 10 off the top of your heads. Make me proud, PopWatchers.

Blender's 10 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums Ever

10. The Smiths, The Smiths
9. Big Star, Third/Sister Lovers
8. My Bloody Valentine, Loveless
7. The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground
6. Arcade Fire, Funeral
5. Pixies, Surfer Rosa
4. R.E.M., Mumu
3. The Replacements, Let It Be
2. Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation
1. Pavement, Slanted and Enchanted


Bill Nelson Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 06:51 PM EST

You can't forget Beirut's, The Flying Club Cup. New Mexico produced a prodigy!

Chris.ti.na Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 02:25 PM EST

6. superchunk-no pocky for kitty
7. built to spill-you in reverse
8. pavement- crooked rain
9. husker du-zen arcade
10.radiohead- the bends

Chris.ti.na Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

1. The Smiths-Meat is murder
2. Dinosaur Jr.-green mind/your living all over me
3. Sebadoh-Harmacy
4.Sonic Youth-Goo
5. Pixies-Doolitte
6.

andrew Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 08:39 PM EST

1. NMH - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
2. The National - Boxer
3. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Arcade Fire - Funeral
5. Bright Eyes - Im Wide Awake, Its Morning
6. Cursive - The Ugly Organ
7. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
8. Modest Mouse - Lonesome Crowded West
9. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
10. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

yes it is most recent but oh well.

jacob Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 12:19 PM EST

1)Neutral Milk Hotel- In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Sorry, I had to. it's just that good. Yes, I know it's the generic choice, but it really deserves it.
2)Built to Spill- There's Nothing Wrong With Love
I found this cd in 98' looking for green day. Best accident I ever made.
3)Bright Eyes- I'm Wide Awake, Its Morning
What can I say? Incredible lyrics, very unique sound. Beautiful record.
4)Colour Revolt- Colour Revolt EP
Check it out if you haven't heard, the singer's voice can go from slow and solemn (Change Your Face or Change Your Name) to loud and crazy (Blood In Your Mouth) to just hardcore (Circus). Awesome to listen to no matter what mood you may be in.
5)Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
I got this but didn't listen to it more then once until about 6 months later when I spied it atop another top ten list. It has since made mine.
6) Foals- Antidotes
Originally an independent release, it has since been picked up by sub pop in the US, I still count it as indie. Cool CD, great sound and als

The RIG Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 11:02 PM EST

Ok...lets get realistic! Best Indie albums ever...I'll just name 10 that are not on everyones list...Cheers!

10. Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand
9. Gang Of Four - Entertainment
8. Ride - Nowhere
7. Flamming Groovies - Shake Some Action
6. Slowdive - Souvlaki
5. Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire De...
4. Catherine Wheel - Ferment
3. Spain - The Blue Moods of Spain
2. Television - Marquee Moon
1. Velvet Underground - Velvet Under.

Damn that is not to be messed with

jmbetoku qsefwv Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 08:06 AM EST

nxqusefl moupyef juxkq zsgeynmt cjihv ilkpcro yuaefji

rafael padilla Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 11:52 AM EST

the best badns are pixies,dinosaur jr radiohead no more

blahblahkids Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 01:21 AM EST

sorry spelling error, i was going fast and forgot the r in mumur. also I feel the need to add

12.Wild Like Children-Tilly and the Wall
11.Meat is Murder-The Smiths

blahblahkids Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 11:06 PM EST

These of course are in my opinion

10.Feels-Animal Collective
9.If You're Feeling Sinister-Belle and Sebastian
8.Mumu-R.E.M
7.Gulag Orkestar-Beirut
6.Advisory Committe-Mirah
5.Funeral-Arcade Fire
4.Unknown Pleasures-Joy Division
3.Slanted and Enchanted-Pavement
2.Elliott Smith-Elliott Smith
1.In the Aeroplane Over the Sea-Neutral Milk Hotel
C'mon Blender of course Aeroplane Is #!!!

J Lo Sun, Nov 18, 2007 at 06:23 PM EST

And why is Jeff Buckley's "Grace" not on this list???

Jaime Sat, Nov 17, 2007 at 02:47 PM EST

Also, way to refer to Pavement as "snarky emo boys." WTF, Blender.

Jaime Sat, Nov 17, 2007 at 02:43 PM EST

Arcade Fire? SERIOUSLY? And just the fact that they're naming anything from 2007 disqualifies them. No way can you tell if an album is truly classic until the hype settles. I'd put a ten-year rule into place. And here I'm going to define indie rock as college rock/alternative, or else it gets too tricky.

11. The Queen is Dead, The Smiths
10. Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division
9. Psychocandy, The Jesus and Mary Chain
8. Daydream Nation, Sonic Youth
7. If You're Feeling Sinister, Belle & Sebastian
6. Tim, The Replacements
5. Murmur, REM
4. Slanted and Enchanted, Pavement
3. Loveless, My Bloody Valentine
2. In The Aeroplane Over the Sea, Neutral Milk Hotel
1. Doolittle, Pixies

Kristi Austin Sat, Nov 17, 2007 at 01:16 AM EST

I am shocked that Neutral Milk Hotel's "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea" did not crack the top ten. It's crazy talk.

Henry Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 06:44 PM EST

I like these albums:

The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Stars - Heart
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Sufjan Stevens -- Illinois
XTC - Apple Venus, Volume 2

Nicole Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 06:01 PM EST

I am in complete agreement with all those who've listed Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in the top 10 - it is ubelievable. I also have to mention another of my absolute favourite's: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's first album is pretty damn near perfect.

ZOE Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 05:08 PM EST

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE VELVET UNDERGROUND!!!! GREATEST ROCK BAND EVER!!!!

BlocParty Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 05:03 PM EST

no bloc party love??? Injustice.

D.R. Mosby Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 05:02 PM EST

The Blender list gets a lot of the bands right but some of the individual records wrong - the songwriting on "Wild Gift" by X is nowhere as good as it is on "Los Angeles" or "Under The Big Black Sun", and where "The Smiths" is a good starting point for the band, "Meat Is Murder" represents the apex of their work.

And "The Modern Lovers" at #21? Sorry, but it's not only the best indie rock record, it's the greatest rock record ever made.

My own indie top ten:

10. Associates - Fourth Drawer Down (if two guys recording on a shoestring budget in the middle of the night isn't indie, I don't know what is)
9 . The Gun Club - Fire Of Love
8. The Dream Syndicate - The Days Of Wine And Roses
7. New Order - Movement
6. The Smiths - Meat Is Murder
5. X - Under The Big Black Sun
4. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
3. Magazine - Real Life
2. The Fall - Grotesque (After the Gramme)
1. The Modern Lovers - The Modern Lovers

Martin. Just Martin Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 04:43 PM EST

10) This Is Our Music - Galaxie 500
09) Whatever People Say.. - Arctic Monkeys
08) Flip Your Wig - Husker Du
07) Up on The Sun - Meat Puppets
06) Let It Be - Replacements
05) Anodyne - Uncle Tupelo
04) George Best - Wedding Present
03) Let's Cut the Crap.. - Marah
02) Discover a Lovelier You - Pernice Brothers
01) Double Nickels - Minutemen

My ten might not be in that order for long, it changed while I was typing it.
Two persnickety questions:
1) They have Unknown Pleasures coming out in 1971 (sloppy)
2) How on earth is anything that Wilco releases on Nonesuch considered Indie? Nonesuch is owned by Warner Brothers...

Dave Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 02:37 PM EST

Oh yeah, and obviously I hate cay. Some for you too Scott P (even though your list rocks).

Dave Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 02:33 PM EST

10. Arcade Fire - Funeral
9. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
8. Death Cab for Cutie - The Photo Album
7. The Wrens - Meadowlands
6. Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
5. Pavement - Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
4. Pavement - Wowee Zowee
3. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
2. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
1. The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday

Scott P Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 02:23 PM EST

Sorry folks, I would also have to dismiss Radiohead as an indie band for the Bends especially (they were on Capitol). If you wanted to count In Rainbows though, that would definitely make the cut.

Also, I've listened to Television's album, but honestly it did nothing for me. And I also agree that Pavement ranks up there as one of the most overrated bands of all time, no question.

Stephanie T. Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 02:19 PM EST

1. The Smiths-The Smiths
2. Penthouse and Pavement-Heaven 17 (Though Let Me Go is their best song)
3. One Afternoon in a Hot Air Balloon-Artery
4. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn- Bright Eyes
5. Logic Will Break Your Heart- The Stills
6. The Bends-Radiohead
7. Kick Out The Jams- The MC 5 (who should be in the RRHF already!)
8. The Pretenders- The Pretenders
9. East Side Story- Squeeze
10. Black Celebration- Depeche Mode

furry_tom Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 02:14 PM EST

RE: Has no one heard Television's debut record?
I love Marquee Moon, but as far as I know, it came out on Elekra and I was trying to stick to "indie" labels. Same reason why I didn't drop in some Tom Waits.

wildecat Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:45 PM EST

What is my mother-in-law doing in the Velvet Underground?

Melissa Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:40 PM EST

The Damnwells -- Air Stereo.

Schwah Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:21 PM EST

Am I the only one who thinks that Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is Pavement's clear masterpiece? That is my #1 "indie" album of all time, and Slanted and Enchanted does not make the top 10 (but comes close).

cay Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:09 PM EST

Some of you may hate me for this, but it is just my opinion... Pavement is the most overrated band ever.

Onarga Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:08 PM EST

Has no one heard Television's debut record? that should be on everyone's list. Please, EW readers, make Santa aware of this album's absense from your disc/record/mp3 collection.

Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:04 PM EST

Beck - "Mellow Gold"
Radiohead - "The Bends"

drella66 Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:02 PM EST

They have the #1 album totally correct...Also up there is Liz Phair "Exile in Guyville", Neutral Milk Hotel "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea", Sleater-Kinney "Call the Doctor", Built to Spill "There is Nothing Wrong with Love", Archers of Loaf "Icky Mettle"

Chardylove Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 01:00 PM EST

Obviosly I'm a little new school..Although the classics clearly influence my taste
11. Shout Out Louds- Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
10.Ringside- RingSide
9.Goldspot- Tally of the Yes Men
8.The Early November- The Rooms Too Cold
7.Jose Gonzalez- Veneer
6.Stars- Set Yourself On Fire
5.Imogen Heap- Speak for Yourself
4.Neko Case- Fox Confessor
3.The Smiths- Louder Than Bombs
2.Ryan Adams- Gold
1.Rogue Wave- Descended Like Vultures

Rick Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 12:37 PM EST

Another vote for "In the Aeroplane..." by N.M.H. at #1. The definition of an "indie" album. Jeff Mangum, where are you?

furry_Flanders Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 11:08 AM EST

It's a bemusement park!

furry_tom Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 11:03 AM EST

10. Modest Mouse - Lonesome Crowded West
9. X - Wild Gift
8. Frog Eyes - The Golden River
7. Danger Mouse - Gray Album
6. Desaparecidos - Read Music/Speak Spanish
5. Elliott Smith - Elliott Smith
4. Mission of Burma - Signals, Calls and Marches
3. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
2. Pavement - Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
1. Neutral Milk Hotel - In an Aeroplane Over the Sea

Tony Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 10:40 AM EST

From Webster's Dictionary:

Main Entry:
be·muse Listen to the pronunciation of bemuse
Pronunciation:
\bi-ˈmyüz, bē-\
Function:
transitive verb
Date:
1735

1 : to make confused : puzzle, bewilder
2 : to occupy the attention of : distract, absorb
3 : to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement or

Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 10:33 AM EST

"Bemused" means "baffled," blogger. Perhaps you're trying to tell us something.

Mike Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 10:27 AM EST

They put the winner at #11 - "Double Nickels On The Dime" by The Minutemen.

Tony Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 10:10 AM EST

The Stone Roses just missed the cut for me. I've got them at 11.

Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 10:08 AM EST

Where's the love for the Stone Roses?
Their self-titled CD deserves a spot in the top 10...

Scott P Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 09:59 AM EST

Wow, that's a pretty tough one. I'd disagree with Blender's list in saying anything released by Interscope could be considered Indie, but that's just me. I lean alot more on the more modern stuff as you can tell...

10. Get Up Kids - Something to Write Home About
9. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak
8. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
7. Bright Eyes - Lifted, or the Story's...
6. Sigur Ros - Aegatis Byrjun
5. Death Cab for Cutie - The Photo Album
4. Arcade Fire - Funeral
3. Yo La Tengo - Electr-o-Pura
2. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
1. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

Kathleen Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 09:44 AM EST

I'm honestly not sure what an accurate description of indie would be; but if it means what I always thought it meant, shouldn't there be an Ani DeFranco record on there somewhere?

Robert Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 09:41 AM EST

While there are a lot of albums on that list I agree with, here's my personal top 10:

10. Galaxie 500 - On Fire
9. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
8. Arcade Fire - Funeral
7. Nirvana - Bleach
6. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
5. Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville
4. Pavement - Slanted & Enchanted
3. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
2. The Replacements - Let It Be
1. REM - Murmur

Tony Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 09:39 AM EST

Yeah, but Slanted is the best indie rock record ever. It's actually my favorite record of all time, indie or not. My 10 indies?
10. Violent Femmes - "Violent Femmes"
9. Minutemen - "Double Nickels on the Dime"
8. Spoon - "Kill the Moonlight"
7. Rilo Kiley - "The Execution of All Things"
6. Neutral Milk Hotel - "In the Aeroplane Over The Sea"
5. They Might Be Giants - "Lincoln"
4. Dinosaur Jr - "You're Living All Over Me"
3. Pixies - "Doolittle"
2. The Replacements - "Let It Be"
1. Pavement - "Slanted and Enchanted"


advertisement

Add Your Comments

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject — or we may delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.



  • 1000 characters remaining
      • When you click on the "Post Comment" button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to the Terms of Service. You can also read our Privacy Policy.
Latest Comments
Top Categories

All Categories

Blog Roll
Top Authors
Recent Posts
PopWatch Archive
July 2009
S M T W T F S
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31  

Complete Archive