Top Indie Rock Records of All Time - RecordNote.com

How Do You Define Indie Rock?

2010-11-10T23:59:44Z

What is “indie music” or “indie rock”? It’s a term people either seem to love or hate, and it probably depends on how you define it. For some it is music that is produced and released by independent record labels, which further begs the question of how you define “independent” record labels.

Others see “indie music” as that which is found at low key, off the beaten path, semi-underground music venues across the world. Still others will see it as a musical recording style, marked by low-fi, seemingly “under- produced” recordings and the “more indie” of these are done using classic second equipment and recording devices.

And I guess lastly, you could define “indie” in terms of the people that created the music, their insights into the world, their attitudes, and how their music and lyrics express their emotions.

RecordNote.com assembled this list of what we thought were the top independent rock records produced in the last 20 or so years based on an aggregate definition of the terms that really encompasses all of the above mentioned interpretations. But really we wanted to identify those albums whose originality, sound, approach and style have stood the test of time, and those which have grown to become major influences on all types of music that followed it. Here is that list, and I should say in no particular order, with some brief captions.

The List Part 1: Neutral Milk Hotel to Pavement
The List Part 2: The Pixies to Elliott Smith
The List Part 3: Sufjan Stevens to Sunny Day Real Estate

Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: Neutral Milk Hotel to Pavement

2010-11-09T21:57:00Z

	In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel Jeff Mangum assembles one of the most quintessential albums we think of all time here; then he quickly sees the pain of stardom, and recluses with just an occasional appearance here and there on stage with friends. An interesting guy, a true music story, an original piece of art and one of our favorite albums ever created.
	Bleach by Nirvana Bleach is so unnervingly raw and so much fun to listen to even right now that it’s amazing this isn’t the one that truly launched them to super stardom. Everything that made Cobain such a brilliant songwriter and Nirvana such a great band is here to be heard.
	Bee Thousand by Guided by Voices GBV are perhaps the epitome of indie rock, having built an incredibly loyal following of fans, and working their butt off to create a library of albums, and killer live shows.
	Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth Another band with an amazing discography but Daydream Nation really hit on all cylinders and is flawless from start to finish.
	Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement Pavement launched an entire movement with this record, introducing a style of songwriting that expertly combined musical talent with slacker mentality, and these songs with their hodgepodge of melodies have remained as important now as when they were created.

Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: The Pixies to Elliott Smith
Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: Sufjan Stevens to Sunny Day Real Estate

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Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: The Pixies to Elliott Smith

2010-11-08T19:56:00Z

	Surfer Rosa by The Pixies A few Pixies albums could have made this list, but Surfer Rosa is in our view the record that really defines the Pixies, their sound, and the impact they would have on rock history. Even folk musician Todd Snider plays homage to Black Francis.
	Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground by Bright Eyes Conor Oberst was what, 16 when he started writing songs and 20 when he released this groundbreaker? It’s genius from start to finish, and it helped launched the career of an influential songwriter and an excellent performer.
	Repeater 3 Songs by Fugazi Another band that’s remained indie throughout their career. We immediately think of $5 show tickets, and crazy mosh pits. Fugazi tapped the teenage angst with an amazing body of work. Repeater is just one of their shining stars.
	Oh, Inverted World by The Shins The Shins’ unique songs stuck instantly, way before New Slang showed up in Garden State. Oh, Inverted World created an atmospheric sound with sly lyrics and musicianship to really disrupt what at the time was getting to be a somewhat stale musical environment.
	Either/Or by Elliott Smith Remarkable musical talent with that distinctive soft voice, Elliott Smith is like no other musician on this list.

Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: Neutral Milk Hotel to Pavement
Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: Sufjan Stevens to Sunny Day Real Estate

Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: Sufjan Stevens to Sunny Day Real Estate

2010-11-07T18:50:00Z

	Michigan by Sufjan Stevens We remember when Sufjan broke onto the scene with his unique multi-instrument blend and amazing melodies, creating a rich and enchanting sound unlike anything anyone had ever heard. An amazingly talented individual, his live shows remain legendary.
	69 Love Songs Volumes 1 by The Magnetic Fields This ambitious project by frontman Steve Merritt is a collage of 69 different songs about love, and each one is vastly different from one another encompassing many different styles. Vol 1 is still a favorite.
	Kill the Moonlight by Spoon Their fresh, percussive style of songwriting created a brand of indie music that many try to emulate, but most fall short. Britt Daniel’s distinctive voice matched with innovative changes made this album stand out from the pack.
	Diary by Sunny Day Real Estate I can call up these beautiful melodies in my head at a moment’s notice. They will live forever.
	Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine When it was released this rap metal album spread like wildfire, and Tom Morello’s guitar riffs combined with Zach de la Rocha’s intense lyrics and delivery, made for a politically charged album aimed at disrupting what they saw as an imperfect system.

Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: Neutral Milk Hotel to Pavement
Top Indie Rock Albums of All Time: The Pixies to Elliott Smith