TOP 25 INDIE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME

Thanks to all who’ve e-mailed or commented with entries to the list.  Because this is a transparent, D.I.Y. blog, I need to clarify a few things and change it a little.  These are the amended rules:  If you’ve already submitted a list, you don’t have to submit again (but you can if you like).

1.  The album must have been released on an indie label. Check the album or label on the RIAA Radar on my sidebar to be certain.

2.  You can list up to 25 entries. But the idea here isn’t to drive yourself nuts, it’s to have fun.

3.  The order of the entries doesn’t matter. I can’t figure out a good algorithm to make the order of the entries matter.

4.  Enter by dropping a comment to this post or by e-mailing me at ekalett@yahoo.com.

5.  Get the entries to me ASAP. I’m gonna close the rolls when I feel like I’ve gotten a healthy amount of entries.

56 Responses to “TOP 25 INDIE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME”

  1. nemesis Says:

    Hi,

    I’m from Germany and I’m a little bit confused by the findings of the RIAA-Radar – every Sonic Youth-Record is (re)released by Geffen? So Evol and all the earlier stuff is no longer comsidered “Indie”?! And what about all the regular Joy Divison-albums – originally released on Factory, one of the mightiest Indie-Labels of the 8ts … So you*’re plan is to list the 25 best albums, indepently released IN AMERICA? Seems a little bit strange in my eyes (& Ears).

    best

    n

  2. ekko Says:

    Nemesis: We only blog on independent albums. There’s no real science to this–sorry if it seems offensive to you to only post on American releases, but I’m stuck with the laws as they’re written. If the label goes after bloggers becuase it’s in the American (or international) versions of the record label mafia (RIAA, etc.), I just don’t blog on it.

  3. nemesis Says:

    I see the point – no offense, but what a pity … all those fine records, re-released by those bastard-majors… well, I will try to check my faves but at the moment the RIAA-Radar is not available, at least not for me (I tried it with two different browsers but I can’t access the site)…

  4. Frau Brougher Says:

    1. Arcade Fire-Funeral
    2. Hold Steady-Separation Sunday
    3. My Morning Jacket-It Still Moves
    4. Bonnie Pince Paul-Letting Go
    5. Bloc Party-Weekend in the City
    6. Sonic Youth-Sister
    7. The Photo Album by Death Cab For Cutie
    8. Pink Flag by Wire
    9. Bloc Party-Silent Alarm
    10. The new Pornographers first one.

  5. ekko Says:

    Nemesis-
    If you tell me the original release was indie, I suppose I can research it and that will be good enough. You’re right, it’s not fair for the majors to buy stuff up and steal it from the indie world.

  6. !!! Says:

    1. Sonic Youth:Sister
    2. Belle & Sebastian:Life Pursuit
    3. The Clientele:God Save The Clientele
    4. Bloc Party: Silent Alarm
    5. Grizzly Bear: Yellow House
    6. Decemberists: Crane Wife
    7. Black Keys: Rubber Factory
    8. Neutral Milk Hotel:In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    9. Bob Mould:Black Sheets of Rain
    10. Postal Service: Give Up
    11. Modest Mouse: Lonesome Crowded West
    12. Detective Kalita
    13. Destroyer: Destroyer’s Rubies
    14. Arcade Fire: funeral
    15. M. Ward: Post War
    16. Grandaddy: Sumday
    17. Shins: Cutes Narrow
    18. The National: Alligator
    19. Broken West: I Can’t Go On
    20. Swan Lake: Beast Moans

  7. misha Says:

    Husker Du: Zen Arcade
    Tortoise Millions Now Living Will Never Die
    Go Betweens : 16 Lovers Lane
    Cat Power : The Greatest
    Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
    Wire: 154
    Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
    Pavement: Brighten The Corners
    Belle & Sebastian: If You’re Feeling Sinister
    Jim O’Rourke: Eureka
    Low: Trust
    Pixies: Doolitle
    The La’s: S/t
    Dinosaur Jr: Bug
    Galaxie 500: This is our music
    Mogwai: Young team
    Interpol: Turn on the bright lights
    Gravenhurst :Flashlight seasons
    Smog: Dongs of Sevotion
    Calexico: Feast of wire
    Soft Boys: Underwater moonlight
    Billy Bragg: Talking with the taxman about poetry
    Sleater Kinney: The woods
    Triffids: Born Sandy Devotional
    Bettye Lavette: I’ve got my own hell to raise

    PS I’d like to add Decemberists’ Crane wife too, but it was released by Capitol…

  8. ekko Says:

    Is anyone having trouble logging comments? I just got this e-mail:

    Ekko-I’ve treid to comment the list but it won’t let me. Here is my list.

    Band of Horses: Everything All the Time
    The Stone Roses
    Belle & Sebastian: The Life Pursuit
    Smog: Dongs
    Pavement: Crooked Pavement
    Shins: Cutes Narrow
    The National: Alligator
    Bonnie Prince Billy: The Letting Go
    Superchunk
    Inerpol: Antics
    Spoon: Kill the Moonlight
    Boris: Pink

  9. hulamonkey Says:

    the stone roses (self-titled)
    x – los angeles
    x – wild gift
    the fall – all up through “shift work”
    gun club – fire of love
    joy division – closer
    joy division – unknown pleasures
    the smiths – all up to “meat is murder”
    this mortal coil – it will end in tears
    dinosaur jr – bug
    sonic youth – daydream nation
    pixies – surfer rosa;

    but let’s shift to best indie record labels:
    sst
    roughtrade
    4AD
    factory
    slash
    stiff
    2tone
    matador
    and others

  10. boo boo wilkes Says:

    Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation
    Palace – Viva Last Blues
    REM – Murmur
    The Fall – Hex Enduction Hour
    Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Raise Yr Skinny Fists
    Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die
    Red Red Meat – Bunny Gets Paid
    Galaxie 500 – On Fire
    Gastr Del Sol – The Serpentine Similiar
    The Microphones – The Glow Pt 2
    Panda Bear – Person Pitch
    Polvo – Today’s Active Lifestyles
    The Sea & Cake – Nassau
    Belle & Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
    Sun City Girls – Torch of the Mystics
    Animal Collective – Feels
    The Books – The Lemon of Pink
    Arcade Fire – Funeral
    Brightblack – Ali.Cali.Tucky
    Deerhoof – The Runners Four
    Jim O’Rourke – Bad Timing
    Stereolab – Peng!
    Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
    Pere Ubu – The Modern Dance

  11. squashed Says:

    Sonic Youth: Daydream Nation
    Royal Trux: Twin Infinitives
    Husker Du: Zen Arcade
    Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance
    Shellac: At Action Park
    Minutemen: Double Nickels On The Dime
    Fugazi: Repeater
    Sleater Kinney: The woods
    Boris: Pink
    Arcade Fire: Funeral

    Tortoise: Millions Now Living Will Never Die
    Slint: USA

    John Fahey: The Legend of Blind Joe Death
    Tom Waits: Mule Variations
    Red House Painters: Down Colorful Hill
    Neutral Milk Hotel: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    Ani DiFranco: Ani DiFranco
    Devendra Banhart: Rejoicing in the Hands
    Sufjan Stevens: Illinoise

    Peter Kruder: DJ-Kicks: Kruder & Dorfmeister
    Tosca: Suzuki
    Thievery Corporation: Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi
    Aphex Twin: Selected Ambient Works 85-92
    The Third Eyes Foundation: Little Lost Soul
    Venetian Snares: Rossz csillag alatt született

  12. craig Says:

    Tough rules…

    Modest Mouse – The Lonesome Crowded West
    Belle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
    The Notwist – Neon Golden
    Joy Division – Closer
    Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted
    Built to Spill – There’s Nothing Wrong With Love
    Madvillain – Madvillainy
    The Fall – Hex Enduction Hour
    Godspeed You Black Emperor! – Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
    Explosions in the Sky – The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
    Mogwai – Young Team
    The Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime
    Fugazi – 13 Songs
    Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention – We’re Only in It for the Money
    Sebadoh – Bakesale
    The Arcade Fire – Funeral
    Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary

  13. april5k Says:

    Alphabetical and only 14:

    Braid – Frame & Canvas
    Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand
    Jawbreaker – 24 Hour Revenge Thearpy
    Liz Phair – Exile In Guyville
    Modest Mouse – Lonesome Crowded West
    Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    Operation Ivy – Energy
    Sleater-Kinney – The Woods
    Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation
    Spoon – Kill the Moonlight
    The Black Lips – Let It Bloom (In at least five years time this will be a solid classic)
    The Get Up Kids – Four Minute Mile
    The Thermals – Fuckin’ A
    Xiu Xiu – Fabulous Muscles

  14. ekko Says:

    Anyone who can’t get wordpress to take your comment, just e-mail it to me. ekalett@yahoo.com

    Seems there’s been such massive response that we’ve broken it.

  15. gregor Says:

    very tough, but here are my top 25 in no random order, kind of…

    guided by voices.bee thousand
    guided by voices.alien lanes
    liz phair.exile in guyville
    sleater kinney.all hands on the bad one
    varnaline.sweet life
    califone.quicksand/cradlesnakes
    archers of loaf.vee vee
    pavement.crooked rain
    constantines.shine a light
    pixies.doolittle
    neutral milk hotel.aeroplane
    explosions in the sky.the earth is not a cold dead place
    magnetic fields.charm of the highway strip
    modest mouse.lonesome crowded west
    scud mountain boys.massachusetts
    sun kil moon.ghosts of the highway strip
    richard buckner.the hill
    superchunk.foolish
    sunny day real estate.how it feels to be something on
    palace.viva last blues
    ted leo.tyranny of distance
    afghan whigs.congregation
    tommy keene.ten years after
    uncle tupelo.march 16-20

    i know there are a shitload i missed but these were off the top of my heard or in my ipod. in about 3 minutes i am going to want to change this, i just know it.

  16. Dave Rawkblog Says:

    Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
    Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
    Spoon – Girls Can Tell
    Dismemberment Plan – Emergency & I
    The Softies – Holiday In Rhode Island
    Elliott Smith – Roman Candle
    Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith
    Sufjan Stevens – Michigan
    Yo La Tengo – And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out
    Hayden – Skyscraper National Park
    Weakerthans – Left and Leaving
    Sea Snakes – Clear as Day, the Darkest Tools
    The National – Alligator
    The One AM Radio – A Name Writ In Water
    Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – I See A Darkness
    Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In People
    Beulah – The Coast Is Never Clear
    The Microphones – The Glow, Pt. 2
    Belle & Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
    Jon Brion – Meaningless
    Jim O’Rourke – Insignificance
    Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights

  17. gregor Says:

    yeah, i definitely made a mistake by leaving off girls can tell, nothing turned itself…, if youre feeling sinsiter and/or double nickles. i could probably do a top 100 and still leave off something.

  18. Scott Says:

    The Modern Lovers – The Modern Lovers
    Brian Eno – Before And After Science
    Suicide – Suicide (first album)
    Pere Ubu – Modern Dance
    Cramps – Bad Music For Bad People
    Human Switchboard – Who’s Landing In My Hanger
    Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
    Joy Division – Closer
    The Durutti Column – The Return Of the Durutti Column
    Robert Fripp – Let The Power Fall
    In the Studio – The Special AKA
    The The – Soul Mining
    MDC – Millions of Dead Cops
    New Order – Movement
    Dream Syndicate – The Days of Wine and Roses
    Cocteau Twins – Treasure
    Opal – Happy Nightmare Baby
    N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton
    Swans – The Burning World
    The World of Skin – Ten Songs For Another World
    The Feelies- Time For A Witness
    Pavement – Slanted & Enchanted
    Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85-92
    The Halo Benders – The Rebels Not In
    Victoria Williams – Musings Of A Creek Dipper
    Neko Case – Furnace Room Lullaby
    Aimee Mann – Bachelor No. 2
    Devendra Banhart – Oh Me Oh My…
    Michael Franti – Songs From The Front Porch
    The Decemberists – Castaways And Cutouts
    Joanna Newsom – The Milk-Eyed Mender
    Jolie Holland – Escondida
    Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

  19. links for 2007-04-28 | captain's dead Says:

    [...] TOP 25 INDIE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME « Berkeley Place (tags: berkeleyplace indierock records top25) [...]

  20. wayne Says:

    top 5

    In the Aeroplane over the Sea-Neutral Milk Hotel
    The Glow Pt 2-The Microphones
    Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain-Pavement
    Funeral-Arcade Fire
    Lonesome Crowded West-Modest Mouse

  21. Philippe Says:

    In no particular order

    Arcade Fire – Funeral / Neon Bible
    Belle and Sebastian – Sinister
    Go-Between – 16 Lover Lane
    The Smith – Queen is Dead
    Pixies – Surfer Rosa
    Interpol – Turn On the Bright Light
    Elliott Smith – Either / Or
    Nada Surf – Let Go
    Cardigans – Long Gone Before Daylight
    The National – Alligator
    Antony & The Johnsons – I’m A Bird
    Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
    Sparklehorse – Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot
    Tindersticks – 1st LP
    The Walkabouts – Trail of Stars
    The Postal Service – Give Up
    Badly Drawn Boy – Hour of Bewilderbeast
    The Dears – The Dears
    Josh Rouse – 1972
    Pulp – This is Hardcore
    Papas Fritas – Papas Fritas
    The Divine Comedy – Liberation
    Jens Lekman – Oh You’re So Silent
    The Auteurs – New Wave
    Doves – Lost Soul

    All these artists should have Live MP3 for download on my blog: superblive.blogspot.com

  22. Philippe Says:

    oh…. I forgot the Stone Roses 1st LP… can I get 26 ? :)

  23. Josh Says:

    Animal Collective – Sung Tongs
    Arcade Fire – Funeral
    Belle & Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
    Bonnie Prince Billy – I See a Darkness
    Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it in People
    Clinic – Internal Wrangler
    De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising
    Dismemberment Plan – Emergency and I
    Elliott Smith – Either/Or
    Fugazi – 13 Songs
    Madvillain – Madvillainy
    Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs
    Modest Mouse – Lonesome Crowded West
    Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
    Old 97s – Wreck Your Life
    Pavement – Slanted & Enchanted
    Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
    Pixies – Surfer Rosa
    Shins – Oh Inverted World
    Sigur Rós – Ágætis Byrjun
    Spoon – Girls Can Tell
    Spoon – Kill the Moonlight
    Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise
    Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die

  24. Harley D. Says:

    1. Red House Painters – Songs for a Blue Guitar
    2. Cake – Fashion Nugget
    3. Elliott Smith – Either/Or
    4. Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker
    5. Fugazi – 13 Songs
    6. Pavement – Slanted & Enchanted
    7. Smog – Red Apple Falls
    8. Elliott Smith – Either/Or
    9. The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
    10. Spiritualized – Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
    11. Guided by Voices – Bee Thousand
    12. Meat Puppets – Meat Puppets II – SST – 1983
13. The Replacements – Let It Be
    14. Husker Du – New Day Rising
    15. DCFC-Transatlanticism
    16. Lucero – Tennessee
    17. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake Its Morning
    18. The Stone Roses – Silvertone – 1989
19. Nirvana – Bleach
    20. Where Is My Mind – Pixies – SurferRosa
    21. JThe Jesus and Mary Chain – Pyschocandy
    22. Pixies – Doolittle
    23. Dinsosaur Jr. – Bug
24. Drive-By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera
    25. The White Stripes – White Blood Cells

  25. Wretched Earth Says:

    I don’t envy you adding all these up! Great idea though.

    1. Alejandro Escovedo – A Man Under The Influence (Blooshot Records)
    2. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch Records)
    3. Hot Hot Heat – Make Up The Breakdown (Sub Pop)
    4. Everything by the Drive-By Truckers (New West Records)
    5. The Long Winters – When I Pretend To Fall (Barsuk Records)
    6. Centro-Matic – Love You Just The Same (Misra)
    7. Cat Power – The Greatest (Matador)
    8. Arcade Fire – Funeral (Merge)
    9. Interpol – Antics (Matador Records)
    10. Black Mountain – Druganaut (Jagjaguwar)
    11. Decemberists – Picaresque (Kill Rock Stars)
    12. Hold Steady – Separation Sunday (French Kiss Records)
    13. The National – Alligator (Beggars Banquet)
    14. New Pornogrpahers – Twin Cinema (Matador)
    15. Feel The Illinoise! – Sufjan Stevens (Asthmatic Kitty)
    16. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm (Vice Recording)
    17. TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain (Touch and Go)
    18. The Thermals – The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop)
    19. The Shins – Oh Inverted World (SubPop)
    20. Spoon – Girls Can Tell (Merge)
    21. Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand (Scat Records)
    22. The Mother Hips – Later Days (self released)
    23. Postal Service-Give Up (subpop)
    24. Modest Mouse-The Lonesome Crowded West (Up, 1997)
25. Band Of Horses – Everything All The Time (SubPop)

  26. ivegotabigoneandiknowhowtouseit Says:

    Here’s my votes….

    1. Snow Patrol-Songs for Polar Bears
    2. When It’s Over We Still Have to Clean Up-Snow Patrol
    3. Modest Mouse-This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About
    4. Sumday by Grandaddy
    5. The Knife: Silent Shout
    6. Midlake: Trials of Van Occupanther
    7. Neutral Milk Hotel – Planes
    8. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan: Ballad of the Broken Seas
    9. Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood\
    10. Chutes Too Narrow ~ The Shins
    11. Give Up ~ The Postal Service
    12. Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse
    13. Transatlanticism ~ Death Cab For Cutie
    14. Our Endless Numbered Days ~ Iron & Wine
    15. My Morning Jacket – At Dawn 
16. Victoria – Old 97’s – Wreck Your Life
17. Belle And Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister –
    18. Death Cab For Cutie – The Photo Album –
    19. Jim O’Rourke – Eureka
    20. Belle & Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
    21. Block Party-Plans
    22. Postal Service-Give Up
    23. Elliot Smith-Ether/or
    24. My Brightest Diamond-Tear it Down
    25. Pnda Bear-Person Ptich

  27. EddieC Says:

    why won’t your blog accept my list?

  28. EddieC Says:

    13 Songs-Fugazi Chutes Too Narrow-Shins
    Thickfreakness-The Balck Keys Every Planet-Modest Moues
    Electric Version-New Pornographers Lack of Communication-Von Bondies
    Drive-By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera Strangers Almanac-Whiskeytown
    Faithles Street-Whiskeytown Gold-Ryan Adams
    Calexico – Feast of Wire Wreck Your Life-Old 97s
    Big come-Black Keys Heartbreaker: Ryan Adams
    Later Days- Mother Hips Rabbit Fur Coat: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
    The Black Keys – Thickfreakness Anything by Lucero!!!!
    And how come nobody voted for Nirvana’s Bleach yet!

  29. Jane F. Says:

    I can’t guarantee these are the best 25 EVER, but they’re the most played on my iPod…

    1. Pixies – Doolittle
    2. Magnolia Electric Co. – Trials & Errors
    3. White Stripes-White Stripes (hard to pick just one WS album-except the last one, which clearly sucked)
    4. The Black Keys-The Big Come Up
    5. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation
    6. The Pixies – Doolittle
    7. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
    8. Bob Mould – Workbook – 1990
    9. The High Llamas – Gideon Gaye
    10. Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    11. Silver Jews – Starlite Walker: No SJ on your lists yet! For shame, guys!
    12. Uncle Tupelo – No Depression
    13. Turn on the Bright Lights-Interpol
    14. Pawn Shoppe Heart-Von Bondies
    15. Yo La Tengo – Fakebook
    16. Superchunk – Superchunk
    17. Teenage Fanclub – A Catholic Education
    18. Arcade Fire-Funeral
    19. Sebadoah – Bakesale
    20. Antics-Interpol
21. DCFC-Transatlanticisim
    22. New Pornographers-Electric Version
    23. Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
    24. Detective Kalita (on Secret Canadian)
    25. Whiskeytown – Strangers Almanac

  30. muzikscene Says:

    25 is a lot, so I’ll just do less than that, and in no particular order
    Hope you don’t mind

    Payola Reserve- One Long Apology
    Chad Farran- Another Ride
    Jim Greer- Rover Songs
    David Daniel- Exit Lights
    Cat Power- The Greatest
    Arcade Fire- Funeral
    Tandemoro- Lock Your Doors EP (because it may be just a lowly EP, but it is still brilliant)
    Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit
    The Shins- Wincing the Night Away
    Broken Social Scene- Broken Social Scene
    Starlit Summer- An Imitation of Love

  31. GL Tha Damaged Says:

    Belle & Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinis
    Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand
    Give Up – The Postal Service
Death Cab For Cutie – The Photo Album
    Mojave 3 – Ask Me Tomorrow
    Ryan Adams-Heartbreaker
    Old 97’s – Wreck Your Life
    Spoon – Girls Can Tell
    Sleater-Kinney – All Hands On The Bad One
    Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
    Calexico – Feast of Wire
    The Long Winters – When I Pretend To Fall
    Mates of State – Team Boo
    Celebration Castle-Ponys
    Arcade Fire – Funeral
    Mofro – Blackwate
    Interpol – Antics
    Black Mountain – Druganaut
    Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
    The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday
    The National – Alligator
    New Pornogrpahers – Twin Cinema
    Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy
    Sufjan Stevens – Come on Feel the Illinoise
    Helicopter – Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
    Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther
    Modest Mouse-This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About AND The Lonesome Crowded West
    Band Of Horses – Everything All The Time
    Lonesome Crowded West - Modest Mouse
    Transatlanticism – Death Cab For Cutie

  32. Blotto Otto Says:

    I just have a few suggestions:

    1. Clem Snide-Your Favorite Music (Spin Art)
    2. Frog Eyes – Tears (Absolutely Kosher)
    3. CYHSY-CYHSY (on their own label)
    4. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit (Revolution)
    5. Sunny Day Real Estate-Eponymous (Sub pop)
    6. Jay Farrar – Sebastopol (Artemis)
    7. Nirvana-Bleach (Sub Pop)
    8. Rock Plaza Central – Are We Not Horses (Yep Roc)
    9. Arcade Fire – Funeral (Merge)
    10. Neutral Milk Hotel-Airplanes (Merge)
    11. POstal Service-Give Up (Sub Pop)
    12. Spoon-Girls Can Tell (Merge)
    13. Gogol Bordello-East Infection (Rubric)
    14. Fruit Bats-Mouthfulls (Sub Pop)
    15. Hold Steady-Separation Sunday
    16. Long Winters-When I Pretend to FAll (Barsuck)

  33. GOLDRUSH-THE HEART IS THE PLACE « Berkeley Place Says:

    [...] They’ll definitely be part of my pix for the ongoing ballot I’ve got floating out there, to select the best 25 indie albums ever, according to the [...]

  34. alicia Says:

    In no particular order:

    Pixies – Doolittle [4AD]
    The Jesus and Mary Chain – Psychocandy [Blanco y Negro]
    Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures [Factory]
    The Cure – Pornography [Fiction]
    R.E.M. – Murmur [IRS]
    Arcade Fire – Funeral [Merge]
    British Sea Power – The Decline Of… [Rough Trade]
    The Smiths – s/t [Rough Trade]
    Hüsker Dü – Flip Your Wig [SST]
    The Shins – Wincing the Night Away [Sub Pop]
    The Replacements – Let It Be [Twin/Tone]
    The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday [Frenchkiss]
    The Feelies – The Good Earth [Coyote]
    Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning [Saddle Creek]
    Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime [SST]
    Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation [Enigma]
    Robyn Hitchcock – I Often Dream of Trains [Midnight Music]
    Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – s/t
    The dB’s – Stands for Decibels [IRS]
    Cocteau Twins – Blue Bell Knoll [4AD]
    The Libertines – Up the Bracket [Rough Trade]
    The Soft Boys – Underwater Moonlight [Armageddon]
    Jens Lekman – When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog… [Secretly Canadian]
    M. Ward – Post-War [Merge]
    Ryan Adams – Jacksonville City Nights [Lost Highway]

  35. Metamorphosis of Sound Search (Night Poem) at motel de moka Says:

    [...] also: A Brief Guide to Modernism, 25 indie rock albums image: B [...]

  36. Matt Schuhmann Says:

    Ya gotta think farther back for your “favorites”. If PeeWee Herman were my grandfather…

  37. mick dillingham Says:

    1. The Pillbugs S/T
    2. The Pillbugs -The 3-Dimensional In Popcycle Dream
    3. The Pillbugs- Happy Birthday
    4. The Pillbugs- Buzz For Aldrin
    5. Mark Mikel -The Idiot Smiles
    6. The Winterpills S/T
    7. The Winterpills -The Light Divides
    8. The Maggies- Homesick
    9. The Maggies -Cryptic Valentine
    10. Sufjan Stevens -Seven Swans
    11. Sufjan Stevens -Illinois
    12. Sufjan Stevens.- Michigan
    13. Warm Wires -Servere Comfort
    14. Victor Krummenacher Out In The Heat
    15. Monks Of Doom- Meridian
    16. Daryll Ann-Weeps
    18. Jonathan Segel-Storytelling
    19. Waz S/T
    20. Gus Black -Word Of Mouth Parade
    21. Camper Van Beethoven -Third
    22. Game Theory-Lolita Nation
    23. Victor Krummenacher_Nocturne
    24. R. Stevie Moore-Phonography
    25. Cerebrial Corps.Attributed to…

    i could go on…

  38. BrightEyes Says:

    Ok, here goes. Pity about the restrictions otherwise I’ll put in the Raveonettes & Wilco…

    No particular order…

    1. Rilo Kiley – Take Offs And Landings (Barsuk)
    2. Rilo Kiley – The Execution Of All Things (Saddle Creek)
    3. Casey Dienel – Wind Up Canary (Hush)
    4. Interpol – Antics (Matador)
    5. Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights (Matador)
    6. The Thermals – More Parts Per Million (Sub Pop)
    7. The Jesus & Mary Chain – Psychocandy (Blanco Y Negro)
    8. Black Box Recorder – The Facts Of Life (Jetset)
    9. Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary (Sub Pop)
    10. Camera Obscura – Lets Get Out Of This Country (Merge/Fruit)
    11. Camera Obscura – Biggest Bluest Hi Fi (Merge)
    12. Monsters Are Waiting – Fascination (Retone)
    13. The Watson Twins – Southern Manners (self-released)
    14. The Weepies – Say I Am You (Nettwerk)
    15. Peter Bjorn & John – Writers Block (Wichita)
    16. The Postal Service – Give Up (SubPop)
    17. Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings The Flood (Anti)
    18. Tilly & The Wall – Wild Like Children (TeamLove)
    19. Tilly & The Wall – Bottoms Of Barrels (TeamLove)
    20. Ballboy – A Guide For The Daylight Hours (Manifesto)
    21. Petracovich – We Are Wyoming (Red Buttons)
    22. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake Its Morning (Saddle Creek)
    23. Jeffrey Lewis – The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane (Rough Trade)
    24. Lucy In The Loo – Sugar High (self-released)
    25. Franz Ferdinand – You Could Have It So Much Better (Domino)

  39. Music is Art » Blog Archive » Metamorphosis of Sound Search (Alone Together) Says:

    [...] also: Night Poem, 25 indie rock albums image: [...]

  40. zandar Says:

    I can’t see the Forbidden List either. It would be a shame to leave any of these out, regardless.

    Unwound- Leaves Turn Inside You
    The Appleseed Cast- Peregrine
    The Cure- Seventeen Seconds
    The Replacements- Let it Be
    Minutemen- Double Nickels on the the Dime
    Giant Sand- Center of the Universe
    Andy Partridge- Warblers series
    Seefeel- Succour
    Camper Van Beethoven II and III
    Liz Phair- Exile on Guyville
    The Notwist- Neon Golden
    Broadcast- The Future Crayon
    Dungen- Ta Det Lugnt
    Susumu Yokota- Wonder Waltz
    Islaja- Palaa Aurinkoon
    Th’ Faith Healers- Lido
    Swirlies- What to Do About Them
    Urge Overkill- The Supersonic Storybook
    Pussy Galore- Dial M for Motherfucker
    Steve Wynn-Static Transmission
    Under Byen- Samme Stof Som Stof
    This Mortal Coil- Blood
    Mark Hollis- Mark Hollis
    Lilys- A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns
    Ralf Und Florian
    Grandaddy- The Sophtware Slump
    Flying Saucer Attack- Distance
    Felt- Let The Snakes Crinkle Themselves to Death
    Cocteau Twins- Victorialand
    Can- Ege Bamyasi
    Alex Chilton- Bach’s Bottom
    The Wrens- The Meadowlands

  41. zandar Says:

    alicia, db’s- stands for decibels- GREAT pick. Can I add that to my list in retrospect…?

  42. zandar Says:

    EddieC- didn’t vote for Bleach because I think it kinda sucks.

    Now, the Sliver/Dive single… are you counting singles? Cause that one fucking changed my life. But Bleach? ….not so much.

    In Utero is a great example of an album you absolutely NEED to include in a list of the best indie albums ever… but technically, it ain’t indie…

  43. ekko Says:

    LIST CLOSED–NO MORE ENTRIES WILL BE CONSIDERED, BUT FEEL FREE TO LEAVE SUGGESTIONS HERE ANYWAY.

  44. bsd987 Says:

    What I would have voted for if I found this in time….

    25 Minor Threat – Minor Threat (1981)
    24 Mission of Burma – Vs. (1982)
    23 Dinosaur jr. – Beyond (2007)
    22 Big Star – #1 Record (1972)
    21 Yo La Tengo – I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (1997)
    20 Rites of Spring – Rites of Spring (1985)
    19 Big Black – Songs About Fucking (1987)
    18 Husker Du – Zen Arcade (1984)
    17 Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)
    16 Beefeater – Plays for Lovers (1985)
    15 Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)
    14 Guided by Voices – Bee Thousand (1994)
    13 Drive Like Jehu – Drive Like Jehu (1991)
    12 Hot Snakes – Suicide Invoice (2002)
    11 They Might Be Giants – They Might Be Giants (1986)
    10 Guided by Voices – Propeller (1992)
    9 Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)
    8 Game Theory – Lolita Nation (1987)
    7 Mission of Burma – The Obliterati (2006)
    6 Game Theory – Two Steps from the Middle Ages (1988)
    5 R.E.M. – Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
    4 Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted (1992)
    3 The Replacements – Let it Be (1984)
    2 R.E.M. – Lifes Rich Pageant (1986)
    1 Husker Du – New Day Rising (1985)

  45. tovorinok Says:

    Hello

    Great book. I just want to say what a fantastic thing you are doing! Good luck!

    Bye

  46. Larry Says:

    The Arcade Fire – Funeral
    Wheat – Hope And Adams
    Centro-Matic – Fort Recovery
    The Polyphonic Spree – The Beginning Stages Of…(Good Records Version)
    The Decemberists – Castaways And Cutouts
    Some By Sea – Fire/Igloo
    Neutral Milk Hotel – Aeorplane Over The Sea
    Death Cab For Cutie – The Photo Album
    Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith
    Iron and Wine – In The Reins
    Lou Ford – Sad, But Familiar
    Old 97’s – Hitchhike to Rhome
    The Promise Ring – Very Emergency
    The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow
    This Shins – Wincing The Night Away
    Summer Lawns – First We Waited, Then It Started
    The Weakerthans – Left and Leaving
    The Weakerthans – Reconstruction Site
    M. Ward – Post War
    Aimee Mann – The Forgotten Arm
    Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand (Scat Records)
    Death Cab For Cutie – We Have The Facts and We’re Voting Yes

  47. Larry Says:

    These were unfortunately and accidentally deleted from my list. Sorry!!! The Midlake album is one of my favorite albums of all time!!!

    Midlake – Trials of Van Occupanther
    Richard Buckner – Dents and Shells
    Farmer Not So John – Receiver

  48. Yokotripper Says:

    Best bands/ albums of all time!

    1. Modest Mouse- Lonesome Crowded West
    2. Cake- Comfort Eagle
    3. Ween- Chocolate and Cheese
    4. Built to Spill- Ancient Melodies of the future
    5. Phish- Billy Breathes
    6. Neutral Milk Hotel- Avery Island
    7. Interpol- Turn On the Bright Lights
    8. Ambulance LTD- Primitive
    9. Elliott Smith- Figure 8
    10. Unicorns- Who Will Cut Our Hair When We Die
    11. Sunset Rubdown- Shut Up I Am Dreaming
    12. Ugly Casanova- Sharpen Your Teeth
    13. Muse- Absolution
    14. The Stills- Logic Will Break Your Heart
    15. Spoon- Gimme Fiction
    16. Radiohead- Amnesiac
    17. Beck- Guero
    18. Butthole Surfers- Independent Worm Saloon
    19. Flaming Lips- At War With the Mystics
    20. Thievery Corporation- The Richest Man in Babylon

  49. arthur torano Says:

    here are mine, it’s not 25 though, and definitely not in order of importance.
    1. tortoise – tnt
    2. radiohead – ok computer
    3. pavement – crooked rain, crooked rain
    4. modest mouse – moon and antartica
    5. the black keys – the big come up
    6. the arcade fire – funeral
    7. the decemberists – her majesty
    8. islands – return to the sea
    9. TV on the radio – desperate youth and bloodthirsty babes
    10. neutral milk hotel – aeroplane over the sea
    11. the fucking champs – IV
    12. R.E.M. – lifes rich pageant
    13. dungen – ta det lugnt
    14. wilco – yankee hotel foxtrot
    15. silver jews – american water
    16. my morning jacket – at dawn
    17. guided by voices – alien lanes
    18. sonic youth – daydream nation
    19. devendra banhart – rejoicing in the hands
    20. animal collective – feels
    21. yo la tengo – fakebook

  50. j. L. Says:

    idk about 25, but here’s my top 5:
    1)Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane
    2)Built to Spill- There’s nothing wrong w/ love
    3)Cassino- Sounds of Salvation
    4)Dear and the Headlights- Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
    5)Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning

  51. ukljukani Says:

    1. Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up, I Am Dreaming
    2. Television – Marquee Moon
    3. Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
    4. Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea; On Avery Island
    5. Radiohead – O.K. Computer
    6. TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain
    7. Wire – Pink Flag
    8. Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights
    9. Arcade Fire – Funeral
    10. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

  52. dr bob Says:

    1) neutral milk hotel- in the aeroplane over the sea
    2) minutemen- double nickels on the dime
    3) husker du- zen arcade
    4) sonic youth- daydream nation
    5) pixies- surfer rosa
    6) fugazi- red medicine
    7) elliott smith- elliott smith
    8) the shins- chutes too narrow
    9) modest mouse- the lonesome crowded west
    10) the mountain goats- tallahassee
    11) violent femmes- violent femmes
    12) neutral milk hotel- on avery island
    13) man man- six demon bag
    14) the decemberists- picaresque
    15) fugazi- repeater
    16) the olivia tremor control- black foliage
    17) dinosaur jr- you’re living all over me
    18) elliott smith- either/or
    19) kimya dawson- remember that i love you
    20) bad religion- against the grain
    21) slint- spiderland
    22) built to spill- there’s nothing wrong with love
    23) andrew bird- and the mysterious production of eggs
    24) joanna newsom- ys
    25) murder city devils- in name and blood

  53. Matt Says:

    Hopefully this isn’t too late, I spent a ton of time on this. I’d say it was more agonizing than I should have made it :P .

    25. Boredoms – Super ae
    24. Cat Power – what would the community think
    23. Sleater Kinney – The Woods
    22. Mission of Burma – Vs.
    21. The New Pornographers – Mass Romantic
    20. Bonnie “Prince” Billy – I See a Darkness
    19. The Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace
    18. The Dismemberment Plan – Emergency & I
    17. Fugazi – Repeater
    16. The Wipers – Youth of America
    15. The Microphones – It was hot, we stayed in the water
    14. Madvillain – Madvillainy
    13. Marnie Stern – In Advance of the Broken Arm
    12. Silver Jews – American Water
    11. Sonic Youth – EVOL
    10. Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith
    9. Slint – Spiderland
    8. Television – Marquee Moon
    7. Pixies – Surfer Rosa
    6. Liz Phair – Exile In Guyville
    5. The Replacements – let it be
    4. Joanna Newsom – The Milk Eyed Mender
    3. Joanna Newsom – Ys
    2. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation
    1. Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted

    Loveless by My Bloody valentine would be #1 if I could put it on… They had it released on an independent label in the UK, but a major in the US, which is weird considering they were a UK band. If they are acceptable, change that to my #1 :P .

  54. i know Says:

    honestly, why have none of you guys put interpol down, have you ever heard it?
    if you have, and you’re not to keen on it get into it, cause once your are nothing beats it. They are amazing live.
    All their 3 albums should be up on all of yours
    Anyways,
    my favourite indie albums:

    INTERPOL – turn on the bright lights
    INTERPOL – antics
    INTERPOL – our love to admire
    The killers – Hot fuss
    The shins – Wincing the night away
    Joy division – Closer
    Editors – The back room
    Foals – Antidotes
    The libertines – Up the bracket
    Franz ferdinand – Franz ferdinand
    Built to spill – You in reverse
    Bloc party – A weekend in the city
    Editors – An end has a start
    The stone roses – The stone roses

  55. scott Says:

    Some of you didn’t read the begining on this thread….Major lables can not produce indie rock bands….

  56. aka aeon malware Says:

    25. the replacements – let it be
    24. grizzly bear – yellow house
    23. fugazi – repeater
    22. animal collective – strawberry jam
    21. pixies -surfer rosa
    20. husker du – zen arcade
    19. camper van beethoven – ll &lll
    18. red house painters – red house painters 1
    17. belle ic and sebastion – the life pursuit
    16. liz phair – white chocolate space egg
    15. pavement – crooked rain crooked rain
    14. dinosaur jr. where have you been?
    13. swervedriver – raise
    12. ride – nowhere
    11. slowdive slouvaki
    1o. the feelies – crazy rhythms
    9. sonic youth – daydream nation
    8. the meat puppets ll
    7. the minutemen – double nickels on the dime
    6. the archers of loaf – ickey mettle
    5. sebadoh -lll
    4. radiohead – ok computer
    3. pavement – slanted and enchanted
    2. the mountain goats – all hail west texas
    and finally the best indie disc of all time is “drumroll please” – the dead kennedies – frsh fruit for rotting vegetables

    yes i give some honorable mentions to built to spill, the fiery furnaces, cat power, they might might be giants, arcade fire, superchunk, flipper, X, neutral milk hotel, and death cab for cutie as well as the early modest mouse discs.

    and a special shout out to UNcle Tupelo for no depression

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