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Best Indie Rock Songs Ever

3/9/07, 11:16 am EST

Sonic YouthThe NME is currently asking fans to send in suggestions for the Greatest Indie Anthem of all time, which is a good project. The only problem? Everything is different over there in the U.K. There’s the whole label issue, which means that albums released on indie labels in the U.K. might also have been released on majors in the states (The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Psychocandy, Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures). And then there’s the fact that the Brits conventionally use the term “indie” as a sensibility descriptor (synonymous with “alternative” or, like, “good”) rather than a technical term.

We’re sure that the list they come up with will include some really great songs, but not all of them are likely to be “indie” (as in tracks released on albums put out by independent labels). That’s where our list comes in. We’ve charted ten tracks that we’d include on a list of best indie rock songs ever. They are in no particular order, but they are all awesome.

Add at will.

  • “Gigantic” – Pixies
  • “Teenage Riot” – Sonic Youth
  • “Fuck and Run” – Liz Phair
  • “Nude As the News” – Cat Power
  • “Summer Babe” – Pavement
  • “Call the Doctor” – Sleater-Kinney
  • “Say Yes” – Elliott Smith
  • “Positive Jam” – Hold Steady
  • “Waiting Room” – Fugazi
  • “Freak Scene” – Dinosaur Jr

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Comments

George VC | 11/2/2008, 6:05 pm EST

If you really like the indie rock I recomend you thr SILVERSUN PICKUPS its a great band, i like their songs like “Lazy eye” , “little lovers so polite”, “rusted wheel”, melatonin, common reactor, ond more

corinnamiller | 9/29/2008, 6:20 pm EST

gardenhead - neutral milk hotel
never meant - american football
sleepy california - her space holiday
earthquake of ‘73 - fruit bats
techno love song - cocorosie
waiting room - fugazi
waitin for a superman - flaming lips
red right ankle - the decemberists
nothing came out - the moldy peaches
revealing too much - the honorary title
ghost moutain - the unicorns

michelle | 8/21/2008, 7:15 am EST

THE KOOKS

THE STROKES

KINGS OF LEON

clearly rock.

Tessa | 7/3/2008, 5:41 pm EST

I just started listening to Bright Eyes, so I must add them to my list.
Every single song by them is amazing. At the moment, though, I like ‘Waste of Paint’.

Tessa | 6/29/2008, 12:34 am EST

Tokyo Police Club- “Nature of the Experiment”
the Cribs- “Be Safe” and “You are Always the One” are both great
Franz Ferdinand- “Dark of the Matinee”
Hot Chip- ALL of their songs are incredible! But personally I love “No fit State”
the Kooks- “Always where I need to be”
Black Kids- “I’m not Gonna teach your Boyfriend how to Dance with You”
the Hives- “No Pun Intended”

There are loads more.

ps:
But beware/All those angels with their wings glued on/cause deep down/We are frightened and were scared/If you dont stare

Rick | 6/26/2008, 11:32 pm EST

these are in order!

Anthony Green (jesus)
Radiohead
Bjork
Cir ca Survive
Good Old War
Maps & Atlases
American Football
The Promise Ring
Cap N’ Jazz
Audience of One
Now We Are Six (minus their singer)
The Human Collective
Animal Collective
Blonde Redhead
Air
Smashing Pumpkins
Duran Duran

zouk | 6/20/2008, 9:04 pm EST

couple-now that i can see

Bobby Brown | 6/10/2008, 4:57 pm EST

Throwing Muses - Fish
My Bloody Valentine - Sometimes
Frank Black - Robert Onion
Mission Of Burma - Einstein’s Day
Teenage Jesus And The Jerks - Burning Rubber
Sonic Youth - Expressway To Yr Skull
Meat Puppets - Plateau
Replacements - I Will Dare
Husker Du - Pink Turns To Blue
Shonen Knife - Flying Jelly Attack
Wire - Outdoor Miner
Deerhoof - Holy Night Fever
Sleater Kinney - Modern Girl
Minutemen - History Lesson Part 2
XL Caveman - Way Of The Sabretooth
Volcano Suns - Jak
Slint - Washer
Black Flag - Six Pack
Melvins - Eyes Flys
Pavement - Platform Blues
Big Black - Texas
Ruins - Outburn
Can - Swan Song
Oh No It’s Birds - The Poison
Jesus Lizard - Puss
The Vaselines - Dying For It
The Fall - Winter
Don Caballero - Stupid Puma
Hella - Welcome To The Jungle Baby (You’re Gonna Live)
Remains - Why Do I Cry?
Shaggs - Who Are Parents
Sonics - Strychnine
Sorry - 24

99% of which were actually released on independent record labels or self-released.

steve | 6/9/2008, 6:31 am EST

The Smiths! They’re only the most influential band of 1980’s UK rock. Any song from their whole repetoire.

Hank Mullaney | 6/6/2008, 11:47 pm EST

1.) M. Ward - Chinese Translation
2.) Feist - Mushaboom
3.) Cake- Italian Leather Sofa
4.) Diddy Bops - What Brought the House Down
5.) The Wolfgang Press - Shut that Door
6.) Love and Rockets - Kundalini Express
7.) Jesus and Mary Chain - Here Comes Alice

Anonymous | 6/5/2008, 6:30 pm EST

The Dears- lost in the plot
The National- fake empire
Belle & Sebastian - Sleep the clock around
Ratatat- Lex
Spoon- everythins hits at once
The Magic Numbers- forever lost
Mando Diao- ochrasy
Interpol- untitled
La Rocca- the truth

Kike | 5/29/2008, 4:20 pm EST

1.Spring By Summer Fall - Blonde Readhead
2.Golden Skans - Klaxons
3.Stuck on the bus - Beehive and the Barracudas
4.Free Bird - Lynard Skynard
5.Spitting Venom - Modest Mouse

Jomas | 5/26/2008, 12:50 pm EST

can’t forget others like..

Modest Mouse - Spitting Venom

Klaxons - Golden Skans

Arctic Monkeys - Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys?

The Strokes - You Only Live Once

Metric - Combat Baby

roxy | 5/11/2008, 9:08 pm EST

These are in no particular order, well just in the order in which they came to mind.

Does it offend you, Yeah? - With A Heavy Heart(I Regret to Inform You)
Does It Offend You, Yeah? - We Are Rockstars
the kills - U.R.A. Fever
Kasabian - Club Foot
MGMT - Kids
Beirut - Postcards From Italy
Klaxons - Gravity’s Rainbow
Les Savy Fav - Disco Drive
The Paddingtons - Molly’s Lips
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy

and of course, Arctic Monkeys.

I think they are truly freakin awesome. All of their songs are great. There’s not one song I don’t like.

Alex | 4/4/2008, 12:36 pm EST

THE SMITHS!!!

Chris | 3/25/2008, 6:18 pm EST

I do agree with “Ishmael | 3/9/2007, 6:02 pm EST” concerning the dilemma of musical culture. While I was on a trip south bound I-% I stopped in a little town to purchase fuel called Southerlin. It is in Oregon when I stumbled upon some young musical enthusiasts pushing flyer;s for a band called XL Caveman. I had some time so I checked them out. They were hot! The lead singer looks like the kind of guy you see hanging out infront of a market eating a ding dong. Needless to say I thanked them for keeping Rock and Roll pure and continued on my drive into the future.

Caitlin | 3/23/2008, 8:12 pm EST

Anousheh Khalili- “Submarines”, “Sleep”

Mirah- “Words Cannot Describe”, “Jerusalem”

Dresden Dolls- “Truce”

Bright Eyes- “Lila”

And I’ll think of more (:

e7486 | 3/13/2008, 1:10 am EST

best songs ever are
devendra banhart - lend me your teeth
sigur ros anything by them

elliott smith, angeles, baby britain and between the bars

anything by death cab especially tiny vessels

Mark | 2/9/2008, 7:16 pm EST

GALACTIC YOU CRAZY FUCKS

Deena | 1/31/2008, 1:13 pm EST

for blue skies - strays don’t sleep
streamline - from autumn to ashes
the funeral - band of horses

Anonymous | 1/25/2008, 11:27 am EST

in britain indie is whatever you want to be, no-one i’ve met is that uptight about it. just enjoy the music! so whoever said you can’t sell too many albums to be indie is talking a load of bull.

AshsRz | 1/11/2008, 7:41 pm EST

Wake up- Arcade Fire
Do You Realize- Flaming Lips
Spirit Ditties- Deerhoof
Timerous Me- Ted Leo
Such Great Hights- Postal Service
Even Rats- The Slip
Where’s my mind- The Pixies

Star Girl | 1/9/2008, 11:21 pm EST

Ummm.. has anyone forgotten Death Cab for Cutie?

I think they are the best “indie rock” song BY FAR!!

TRC | 1/3/2008, 12:46 am EST

1. Float On- Modest Mouse
2. Slow Hands- Interpol
3. Neighborhood #1- Arcade Fire
4. Take Me Out- Franz ferdinand
5. Honest Mistake- Bravery
6. Gouge Away- Pixies
7. Summersong- Decemberists
8. Where is my Mind?- Pixies
9. Roscoe- Midlake
10. King of Carrot Flowers pt. 1- Neutral Milk Hotel

100 of the greatest indie rock songs on therockczar.com

Kate | 12/29/2007, 1:12 pm EST

Oh, and Anton Mink. They’re amazing.

Kate | 12/29/2007, 1:11 pm EST

Au revoir Simone
Gatsby Gets the Green Light
the Green Eyed Machine

Nicolas | 12/27/2007, 3:29 pm EST

1 Arcade Fire Rebellions lies
2-the dears 22 and of all the romance
3-The still Lola stars and stripes
4-New pornographer Challengers
5-Priestess IM the night color me black
6-the shins new slang
7-the hives because i wanna
8-franz ferdinand take me out
9-the killers someday told me
10-stereogram walkie talkie man

Leslieee | 12/25/2007, 3:06 pm EST

Noone put My Morning Jacket! Like not even 1 single person…or Pj Harvey. I love Belle and Sebastian and Wilco too…oh and Cat Power! Hmmmm…Peter Bjorn and John too!

Ima Dance | 12/21/2007, 6:16 pm EST

OKay so yeah
My list

OKay kinda going alphabetical order k so its not by how i rate them =]

The 88-Coming Home

The Blood Arm-Suspcious Character

Blur-Song 2

Belle & Sebastian-The Boy With The Arab Strap

Bright Eyes-Lover I Dont Have To Love

British Sea Power-Remember Me

The Cribs-Moving Pictures

The Dandy Warhols-The Last High

The Decemberists-O Valencia!

The Departure-All Mapped Out

Desaparecidos-Man and Wife, the Latter (Damaged Goods)

Editors-An End Has A Start

Elliott Smith-All The songs ever recorded=]

The Flaming Lips-Do You Realize??

The Faint-Agenda Suicide

Ima Robot-Creeps Me Out

Interpol-C’mere

Iron & Wine-Boy with a Coin

The Jesus And Mary Chain-Almost Gold

Joy Division-All The songs ever recorded

Kaiser Chiefs-Ruby

Kasabian-Club Foot

Ladytron-Destroy everything you touch

Le Tigre-TKO

Maximo Park-Apply some Pressure

Moving Units-I am

Peter Bjorn and John-Young folks

The Rapture-GEt Myself into it

Regina Spektor-Better

Rilo Kiley-Portions for Foxes
eyy what hell all of Rilo kiley songs and memorable

She wants Revenge-Broken promises for broken hearts

Tegan & Sara-I know I know I know

The Thrills-Saturday night

TV on The Radio-Wolf like me

The Velvet Underground-Alll songs recorded =]

We are Scientist-This scene is dead

Yo la Tengo-Sugarcube

Zolof the Rock&Roll Destroyer-The cover Of BOF “Plays Pretty For Baby”

OMg Their is so much more
though ill type it in later lol

Salzy | 12/19/2007, 3:14 pm EST

Ok I’m a big fan of the killers, but I’ll give you that they’re not indie, but a couple of their songs defenitly have an indie sound (enterlude/ extilude, Mr. Brightside, and Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll

I’d add to the list Belle and Sebastian, and Modest Mouse

hutch | 10/11/2007, 12:25 am EST

there is clearly some issues going on with the definition of indie
and indie rock
even rolling stone is having problems
elliot smith is indie but not indie rock
to rule out many request
coldplay, the killers, and most defiantly oasis ARE NOT INDIE

Fencesitter | 10/6/2007, 12:16 am EST

All the bands listed below should make the top list…

Athlete
Badly Drawn Boy
Ben Folds
Bob Dylan
Coldplay
Damien Rice
David Gray
Doves
The Decemberists
Ed Harcourt
Elbow
Elliott Smith
Franz Ferdinand
Jeff Buckley
Jose Gonzalez
Josh Ritter
Kaiser Chiefs
Leonard Cohen
The Libertines
Nick Drake
Ray LaMontagne
Razorlight
Rufus Wainwright
Ryan Adams
Sigur Ros
Stephen Fretwell
Stereophonics
The Stone Roses
The Strokes
Tom Waits
Travis
The White Stripes
Willy Mason
The Zutons

TunaMan | 9/27/2007, 3:12 pm EST

Pixies - Break My Body
Pixies - The Sad Punk

jehan | 9/20/2007, 9:59 am EST

listen to ANYTHING by a band called lucy in the loo, i swear you’ll fall in love

scotty | 9/9/2007, 1:30 am EST

kings of leon
the strokes
death cab for cutie
interpol
yeah yeah yeahs
arctic monkeys
coldplay
tenbilliony ears

PhantomIchi | 6/8/2007, 12:04 pm EST

Spoon - I summon you
Mercury Rev - Tonight it shows
Takako Minekawa - A Report On an Investigation
Keren Ann - Seventeen
Mark Lanegan - Resurection Song
Mirah - Dont Die In Me
Nina Nastasia - The Blackened Air
Andrew Brid - Scythian Empire
CocoRosie - Noah’s Ark
Yo La Tengo - Autumn Sweater

PhantomIchi | 6/8/2007, 11:48 am EST

The Shins - Turn On ME
Shannon Wright - Dont doubt me
Sunny day real estate - Rain Son
Sleepy Jackson - Rain Falls For Wind
Brian Jonestown Massacre - Just for today
Joanna Newsom - Peach, Plum, Pear
Rogue Wave - Falcon Settles Me
Of Montreal - Disconnect the Dots
Blonde Redhead - Top Ranking
Olivia Tremor Control - Grass Cannons

peas | 5/20/2007, 8:38 am EST

oasis, libertines, the killers, kasabian, arcade fire, stone roses, razorlight all have to be in the list!!!

Anj | 5/17/2007, 9:26 pm EST

Artic Monkeys-”Still take you home”
Placebo-”Once more with feeling”
The Academy is..-”Skeptics and True believers”
The Mars Volta-”Widow”
The Red jumpsuit apparatus-”Seventeen aint so sweet”
The strokes-What ever happened” and “The end has no end”
The white stripes-”Seven Nation Army”

Anj | 5/17/2007, 9:26 pm EST

Artic Monkeys-”Still take you home”
Placebo-”Once more with feeling”
The Academy is..-”Skeptics and True believers”
The Mars Volta-”Widow”
The Red jumpsuit apparatus-”Seventeen aint so sweet”
The strokes-What ever happened” and “The end has no end”
The white stripes-”Seven Nation Army”

k-bones(a7xrox) | 5/1/2007, 1:10 am EST

BUT I HATE BEYONCE AND LEANN RYMES

k-bones(a7xrox) | 5/1/2007, 1:05 am EST

SKULLFREAK you ROCK!!
but you forgot:
AIDEN-LAST SUN RISE

MY chemical romance-vampires will never hurt you

radiohead-CREEP

Aven ged sevenfold-unholy confessions

Korn-BLIND

nikt | 4/18/2007, 5:50 pm EST

Ani Difranco and Le Tigre really must be artists added to the list as female innovators in independent music. Probably Peaches too.

MyAimIsTrue | 4/9/2007, 12:02 pm EST

Oh, and “Like A Secret” By Jawbreaker (doesnt look like they’ve got much recogniton on this list yet. Shame on you all!)

little jack | 4/3/2007, 1:46 pm EST

bright eyes - waste of paint
death cab - passenger seat
yo la tengo - black flowers
snow patrol - chocolate
yeah yeah yeahs - our time

o.j. | 3/27/2007, 11:23 pm EST

best song ever “i will follow you into the dark” by death cab for cutie

justin. | 3/27/2007, 3:41 pm EST

That should read “Blonde On Blonde”.

justin. | 3/27/2007, 3:38 pm EST

Blonde One Blonde-Nada Surf
Broken Household Appliance National Forest-Grandaddy
..All The Goinbetweens-Silversun Pickups
Underachievers March & Fight Song-Archers Of Loaf
Shoot The Singer-Pavement

aaronkinser | 3/27/2007, 12:03 am EST

what? no silversun pickups??

heres my vote for “lazy eye”.

JSuzart | 3/24/2007, 8:23 pm EST

Some songs in the Top Greatest Indie Anthems must be:
The Velvet Underground - Heroin
Wire - Three Girl Rhumba
The Smiths - This Charming Man
REM - Radio Free Europe
Pixies - Where’s My Mind
Breedes - Cannonball
Yo La Tengo -Autumn Sweater
Antony & The Johnsons - Hope There’s Someone
Belle & Sebastian - The State I Am In
Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot

Other good choices:
Joy Division - Transmission
My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow
Boredoms - Super Shine
The White Stripes - You’re So Pretty Good Looking For a Girl
Wilco - Jesus Etc.
Cat Power - Nude As the News
The Shins - Kissing The Lipless
The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy Jr.
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Flaming Lips - Race For The Prize

JSuzart | 3/24/2007, 8:18 pm EST

Some songs in the Top Greatest Indie Anthems must be:
The Velvet Underground - Heroin
Devo - (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Gang Of Four - I Found That Essence Rare
The Smiths - This Charming Man
REM - Radio Free Europe
Pixies - Where’s My Mind
Breedes - Cannonball
Yo La Tengo -Autumn Sweater
Antony & The Johnsons - Hope There’s Someone
Belle & Sebastian - The State I Am In
Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot

Other good choices:
Joy Division - Transmission
My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow
Boredoms - Super Shine
The White Stripes - You’re So Pretty Good Looking For a Girl
Wilco - Jesus Etc.
Cat Power - Nude As the News
The Shins - Kissing The Lipless
The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy Jr.
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Flaming Lips - Race For The Prize

erin | 3/24/2007, 3:07 am EST

like any music fan there are so many that this is of course subject to change

but
Arcade Fire- Rebellion (Lies)…was the first I heard from them and made me an instant devotee..everything is incredible
Throwing Muses- Teller …however all of University blew my mind out when I was a kid.
Wolf Parade- Shine a Light (though whoever said I’ll believe in Anything..that was a good call too)
Cursive- The Recluse
The Hold Steady- so many but lets go with Most People are DJs and Your Little Hoodrat Friend
PIL- Rise
Stone Roses- are incredible ..dont think anyone mentioned Elephant Stone specifically yet so there’s that one
The Thermals- Here’s Your Future or A Pillar of Salt
Psychedelic Furs- The Ghost in You
People Who Died- Jim Carroll Band
and Im plugging my internet radio station here
lots of current and classic indie/alt
XXXRADIO at live365 dot com

Sean | 3/20/2007, 9:39 am EST

Mr. November - The National
Sometimes - My Bloody Valentine
Caring is Creepy - The Shins
Von - Sigur Ros
A movie script ending - Death Cab
No Cars Go (from the AF EP) - Arcade Fire
7/4 (Shoreline) - Broken Social Scene
The predatory wasp… - Sufjan Stevens

spaceboy | 3/12/2007, 6:55 pm EST

…stay cool, and be somebody’s fool this year/’cause they know who is righteous, what is bold/so i’m told..

Tim | 3/12/2007, 12:32 pm EST

Sleater-Kinney - “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone”

More anthemic than the nearly as awesome “Call the Doctor”.

B-Rad | 3/12/2007, 12:40 am EST

Arcade Fire - “No Cars Go”
The Spinto Band “Oh Mandy”
The Unicorns “I was born a Unicorn”
Nick Drake “One of these things first”
Neutral Milk Hotel “In the Aeroplane over the sea”
Syd Matters “To All of You”
The Subways “1 AM”
The Honorary Title “Bridge and Tunnel”

jd | 3/11/2007, 8:45 pm EST

“Power Out”, Arcade Fire
“Bone Machine”, Pixies
“Holland, 1945″, Neutral Milk Hotel
“Almost Crimes”, Broken Social Scene
“Summer Babe”, Pavement

Amanda | 3/11/2007, 4:47 pm EST

The Reduction Agents - Waiting For Your Love

Colin | 3/11/2007, 1:58 am EST

Neutral Milk Hotel - Ghost

Really, though, the entirety of In the Aeroplane should be inducted into the Indie Rock Hall of Fame (whatever that is), first ballot, like Babe Ruth.

PMMD | 3/10/2007, 12:50 pm EST

Surely LCD Soundsystem’s “Losing My Edge” must be included?

Jay | 3/10/2007, 12:42 am EST

This is easy, the best “indie” anthem ever is:

“Sick of Myself” by Matthew Sweet circa 1995.

Jake | 3/9/2007, 11:12 pm EST

Every song by the Velvet Underground before the “Loaded” album. They were the original indie band.

www.myspace.com/waynewhittaker | 3/9/2007, 10:26 pm EST

A Shot in the Arm-Wilco

zach | 3/9/2007, 8:07 pm EST

Just about every Dispatch song.

Stefolo G | 3/9/2007, 7:25 pm EST

Psyched Up Janis: “The Stars Are Out”

Derek Tyler | 3/9/2007, 6:54 pm EST

Teenage Riot is not an Indie song. I was released while SY was on DGC records. DGC is a major label

Suz | 3/9/2007, 6:47 pm EST

“winner’s blues” sonic youth
“jacksonville” sufjan stevens
“all the money” dandy warhols
“pictures of success” rilo kiley
“falling down” the redwalls

Ishmael | 3/9/2007, 6:02 pm EST

Seems to me that “indie” is just the latest in a long line of names bandied about to describe a particular musical esthetic. Pre-1991, it changed over to “college/alternative.” Around 92-94, the “college” part was dropped and it just became “alternative.” Then, after the Hot Topic Nation usurped the term, it morphed into “indie” for the rest of us. It’s kind of like “socially acceptable” racial signifiers. Every generation presents a new set because the old set has become corrupted, as if that’s really going to change anything. And when people finally get tired of listening to shy, navel-gazing bedroom musicians who mistrust any kind of passion as gauche, we’ll change the term again (sometime around the point when Sufjan Steven’s 51st and 52nd albums - “District of Columbia” and “Puerto Rico (Kind Of)” go platinum). Meet the new boss - same as the old boss.

brian | 3/9/2007, 5:43 pm EST

everything of the first Stone Roses record (and Turns to Stone for that matter).

Charatans - “The only one I know”

Wilco - everything off of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

Was the Velvet Underground “indie”? Who fuckin’ knows. But if yes, “Waitin’ for the Man” and “Oh Sweet Nuthin.”

Lado | 3/9/2007, 5:34 pm EST

New Order - ‘Everything’s Gone Green’

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:28 pm EST

STUPID

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:27 pm EST

MUSIC YOU

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:27 pm EST

ABOUT REAL

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:26 pm EST

START WRITING

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:26 pm EST

MY PREVIOUS POST

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:26 pm EST

FOR DELETING

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:24 pm EST

YOU

Jason904 | 3/9/2007, 5:22 pm EST

Britney Spears- “toxic”

blindmelon | 3/9/2007, 5:22 pm EST

Dry the rain - the beta band
soul meets body - death cub for cutie
processed beats - kasabian
store bought bones - racounters
keep the car running - arcade fire

Michael | 3/9/2007, 5:21 pm EST

REM - “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (I Feel Fine)”
The Replacements - “Can’t Hardly Wait”
Camper Van Beethoven - “Life is Grand”
Pixies - “Where Is My Mind?”
The Smiths - the entirety of their cannon
Travis - “Why Does it Always Rain on Me?”
Joy Division
New Order
Bright Eyes - “Lover I Don’t Have to Love”
Death Cab for Cutie - “Transatlanticism”
Super Furry Animals
Ryan Adams
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Depeche Mode’s 80s, 90s stuff

Captain Hero | 3/9/2007, 5:08 pm EST

Degausser- Brand New

as a matter of fact anything off of “The Devil & God Are Raging Inside Me” is awesome. Brand New is by far the best band around.

michael from cartersville, ga | 3/9/2007, 5:02 pm EST

anything by tv on the radio; specifically “staring at the sun” and “wolf like me”.

actually, tvotr’s FIRST album “ok calculator” is probably the most indie rock thing to happen in the 21st century.

dakota ryan | 3/9/2007, 4:58 pm EST

the best indie bands are so indie they don’t even exist.

anything by black eyed peas. Holla

edgar | 3/9/2007, 4:53 pm EST

pete mcleod & the star 69

bilo | 3/9/2007, 4:50 pm EST

libertines / babyshambles / dirty pretty things too

bilo | 3/9/2007, 4:47 pm EST

the stone roses - fuking classic

Hurly-Burly | 3/9/2007, 4:44 pm EST

Ahem — Tom Waits, anyone?

Because I’m listening to his “Rain Dogs” album now, I’ll say “Clap Hands” is a superior candidate.

The Stranger | 3/9/2007, 4:37 pm EST

“I Am A Scientist” - Guided By Voices

“Blue Thunder” - Galaxie 500

“Take The Skinheads Bowling”- Camper Van Beethoven

“Sugarcube”-Yo La Tengo

“Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely” - Hüsker Dü

“Here Comes a Regular” - The Replacements

Stephen Kohlmann | 3/9/2007, 4:30 pm EST

“Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth” Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

“Cowbell” Tapes N’ Tapes

Anything else I can come up with most likely has already been said.

hollywood sucks | 3/9/2007, 4:30 pm EST

How the hell can Justin Timberfake be indie ? He is nothing more than a TRL puppet that got to screw Britney and Cameron Diaz. That is not indie, nor is it even making music. The definition of indie is basically alternative bands and musicians that don’t sell millions of copies of their albums. Here is MY list:

Death Cab For Cutie - Styrofoam Plates
Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot
The Strokes - On The Other Side
Death Cab For Cutie - Line Of Best Fit
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Anything of Show Your Bones
The Shins - Caring Is Creepy
Death Cab For Cutie - Title And Registration

Jens | 3/9/2007, 4:11 pm EST

Okay,the following may not be concidered ‘indie’ by everyones but who even knows what that word means anymore?

Bright Eyes-Lua
Death Cab-A Lack of Colour
Desaparecidos-Greater Omaha
Jenny Lewis-Rabbit Fur Coat
The Smiths-This Charming Man
Brand New-Play Crack the Sky
White Stripes- Your Pretty Good Looking(for a girl)
Postal Service-The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
Neutral Milk Hotel-Two Headed Boy pt2
Bright Eyes-Lover I dont Have to Love

Daz the Manc | 3/9/2007, 4:08 pm EST

The smiths - The is a light
The Smiths - This Charming man
The Smiths - How soon is now
Morrissey - Suedehead
Pixies - Monkey gone to heaven
Pixies - Here comes your man
Joy division - Love will tear us appart
Stone roses - fools gold
Stone roses - waterfall
stone roses - i am the resurection.

Indie has nothing to do with what company you sign with its a name of a style of music like grunge or crunk.Whats so hard to understand about that?

your mom | 3/9/2007, 4:05 pm EST

COMMON PEOPLE - PULP

also…

“Age of Consent” - New Order
“Way Down Now” - World Party
“I Have Forgiven Jesus” - Morrissey

charlie | 3/9/2007, 4:02 pm EST

radiohead-street spirit

Mike | 3/9/2007, 3:47 pm EST

The White Stripes - “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground”

Tim | 3/9/2007, 3:44 pm EST

Wolf Parade - “I’ll Believe in Anything”

Tannis | 3/9/2007, 3:20 pm EST

oh…or we love you tipper gore, by furnaceface.

Steve | 3/9/2007, 3:08 pm EST

The Wipers: Youth of America

lala | 3/9/2007, 2:56 pm EST

the shins-australia
the shins-phantom limb
the shins-turn on me

basically anything from the shins wincing the night away cd or any others by them. i also like arcade fire and old subpop stuff

SilverNeurotic | 3/9/2007, 2:54 pm EST

Technically she’s not indie…but I’m going to say Nellie McKay and her “Get Away from Me” album. She is one cool chick.

Tannis | 3/9/2007, 2:53 pm EST

ok, here are my picks in no order…

1. Sleater-Kinney - the end of you
2. Liz Phair - Stratford-on-guy
3. Le Tigre - Deceptacon
4. Furnace Face - She thinks she’s fat
5. NomeansNo - Theresa, give me that knife
6. Shonen Knife - twist barbie
7. Sloan -if it feels good, do it
8. Ani Difranco - What if no one’s watching
9. The New Pornographers - Letter to an Occupant

and…the best one on this list…

10. Hawksley Workman - Striptease

Bean | 3/9/2007, 2:53 pm EST

Joy Division - She’s Lost Control

audiac | 3/9/2007, 2:51 pm EST

The Smiths - This Charming Man
Joy Division - Transmission
Guided By Voices - Game of Pricks

jill hives | 3/9/2007, 2:47 pm EST

dude, you forgot the best fall song: theme from sparta f.c.

J. | 3/9/2007, 2:40 pm EST

a song I always loved:
Jawbox-Static

Christian VIII | 3/9/2007, 2:20 pm EST

Any indie list containing no song of THE FALL is really f***

Here are them to fill in:
THE FALL The Classical
THE FALL Spoilt Victorian Child
THE FALL Dr. Bucks’ Letter
THE FALL My Ex-Classmates’ Kids
THE FALL Blindness
THE FALL Hexen Definitve/Strife Knot
THE FALL English Scheme
THE FALL Container Drivers
THE FALL It’s A Curse
THE FALL City Dweller

Moss | 3/9/2007, 2:17 pm EST

rockscar pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Anonymous | 3/9/2007, 2:11 pm EST

The Nurse Who Loved Me- Failure

Danny | 3/9/2007, 2:05 pm EST

Transatlantacism - Death Cab

e | 3/9/2007, 1:52 pm EST

Indie has become the misleading name for a genre - and qualifying things in terms of genre is ludicrous. Thank god pubs like RS and NME keep shoving this shit down our throats.

Jacob | 3/9/2007, 1:49 pm EST

The Shins- New Slang
Belle & Sebastian- The State I Am In
French Kicks- Close to Modern
Pulp- Babies
The Smiths- The Queen is Dead
The Stone Roses- I Wanna be Adored

Just to name a few!

Amphetadex | 3/9/2007, 1:40 pm EST

And heaven forbid indie apply as a genre to something other than indie-rock.

connor | 3/9/2007, 1:33 pm EST

modest mouse- bankrupt on selling
tv on the radio- staring at the sun
white stripes- we’re going to be friends
the shins- new slang
pixes- wave of mutilation
nirvana- about a girl
neutral milk hotel- oh comely
damien rice- blower’s daughter
clap your hands say yeah- the skin of my yellow country teeth
bright eyes- first day of my life
arcade fire- no cars go

t-remm | 3/9/2007, 1:23 pm EST

“3rd PLanet” by Modest Mouse
“Transatlanticism” by Death Cab For Cutie

rockscar | 3/9/2007, 1:16 pm EST

everything by Wilco.

mikesboy | 3/9/2007, 1:08 pm EST

it’s the end of the world, the one i love, radio free europe, etc. from r.e.m. in their irs days. collapse a lung, dinosaur jr.

Brett | 3/9/2007, 1:07 pm EST

No matter what, Oasis is gonna top the list.

Indie or not? Who gives a fuck. They rock.

Mmmm gravy | 3/9/2007, 1:04 pm EST

Skullfreak sucks dong. Elliot Smith was a badass.

Karamela | 3/9/2007, 1:01 pm EST

ambulance ltd. - ophelia
fuck and run - frank rogala
love’s lost guarantee - rogue wave
empire - kasabian

Steve | 3/9/2007, 12:56 pm EST

womens realm - belle and sebastian
the gathering - the pixies

eVERYtHING yOU hATE | 3/9/2007, 12:53 pm EST

Purfume V - Pavement
I Bleed - Pixies
Strawberry Julius - Bikini Kill

bp | 3/9/2007, 12:52 pm EST

wow, Skullfreak, you sure are shocking! No one has ever been as shocking as YOU! You must be a rebel or something!

Chris | 3/9/2007, 12:51 pm EST

Ah forgot one:

Postal Service: Such Great Heights

Chris | 3/9/2007, 12:49 pm EST

Sufjan Stevens: Chicago
Bright Eyes: At the Bottom of Everything
Death Cab For Cutie: New Year
Hot Chip: The Warning
Flaming Lips: Race for the Prize
Arcade Fire: No Cars Go
Explosions In The Sky: A Song for our Fathers
Feist: Mushabloom

bp | 3/9/2007, 12:48 pm EST

The term “Indie” is often used the same way here as it is in England, by the way. Lots of people still call Built to Spill, Death Cab and Modest Mouse “indie” even though they aren’t. I’m just sayin’.

Skullfreak | 3/9/2007, 12:44 pm EST

Elliott Smith and Kurt Cobain can do drugs in hell together now and talk about who had the better suicide

SATAN | 3/9/2007, 12:42 pm EST

Skullfreak is so gay, what an idiot.

Elliott Smith- True Love & King’s Crossing.

Cooter | 3/9/2007, 12:41 pm EST

Anything by Justin Timberlake. He’s dreamy.

Writerwhodoesn'twrite | 3/9/2007, 12:39 pm EST

You spelled Elliott Smith wrong. And “Say Yes” is not one of his best. If you want to go that route, pick “Between the Bars.”

Bright Eyes has a finger on the pulse of some description of indie. Something off Lifted would fit the tragic bill — ’cause we all know indie artists are tragic — “False Advertising.”

Skullfreak | 3/9/2007, 12:39 pm EST

What’s My Age Again-Blink 182
She F**kin’ Hates Me-Puddle of Mud
Longview-Green Day
How Do I Live-Leanne Rhymes
To The Left-Beyonce
Jeremy-Pearl Jam
Jump-Van Halen
Stairway To Heaven-Led Zeppelin
We Will Rock You-Queen
I’m Not Ok-My Chemical Romance
My Dingaling-Chuck Berry
F**k The Pain Away-Peaches

joe | 3/9/2007, 12:29 pm EST

funny fred.

too bad for billy that many, many indie bands destroyed his solo album. let’s hope for his sake he delivers the goods 7-7-07

jill hives | 3/9/2007, 12:26 pm EST

boredom - buzzcocks
i am a scientist - gbv
walking with jesus - spacemen 3

Marc | 3/9/2007, 12:24 pm EST

Death cab for cutie - soul meets body

Rilo Kiley - portions for foxes

Jesse | 3/9/2007, 12:24 pm EST

My Bloody Valentine-”When You Sleep”
The Pixies-”Where is My Mind?”
Dinosaur Jr-”Just Like Heaven”
Pavement-”Trigger Cut”
Sonic Youth-”Expressway To Yr Skull”

Troy | 3/9/2007, 12:21 pm EST

Roger, great list….

As for Vulgar Boatmen, I’ll take “Street Where You Live'’ and for the Silos “All Falls Away.'’
Others:
Husker Du: “Turn On The News'’
Replacements: “Bastards of Young'’ or “Left of the Dial'’
Minutemen: “This Ain’t No Picnic'’
Black Flag: “Thirsy and Miserable'’

BRiAN | 3/9/2007, 12:19 pm EST

(in no particular order)

Sebadoh - The Freed Pig

Ben Folds Five - Underground

The Decemberists - Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect

Broken Social Scene - Lovers’ Spit

ALL THREE BIG STAR ALBUMS!!!

Roger Toonoot | 3/9/2007, 12:11 pm EST

Here’s 10 from the 80s. You kiddies should seek these out:

Husker Du: The Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill
The Replacements: Unsatisfied
The Feelies: Moscow Nights
Fugazi: Margin Walker
Mission Of Burma: Academy Fight Song
X: Adult Books
Silos: Maybe Everything
DFX2: Down To The Bone
Vulgar Boatmen: Margaret Says
Minutemen: Corona

Wes | 3/9/2007, 12:09 pm EST

“Hey” - Pixies
“Just Like Honey” - Jesus and Mary Chain
“Hold My Life” - Replacements

ishy with it | 3/9/2007, 12:08 pm EST

arcade fire - Rebellion (lies)
liars - mr. your on fire, mr.
modest mouse - teeth like god’s shoeshine
sleater-kinney - i wanna be yr joey ramone
pavement - flux=rad
sonic youth - teenage riot
fugazi - smallpox champion
nuetral milk hotel - in the aeroplane over the sea
my bloody valentine - soon
rem - radio free europe

Mr. Dart | 3/9/2007, 12:07 pm EST

I’d say “Needle In The Hay” over “Say Yes.” Their both fantastic. All of his music is.

Lawrence | 3/9/2007, 12:04 pm EST

If “Indie” is independent lables then I have to go with the following:
Mudhoney-You got it (subpop)
Whores-Janes (XXX)
Radio Free Europe -REM (IRS)
Soundgarden-Flower (subpop)
The Funneral-Band of Horses(suppop0

You know what, skip the list and just put any song off Sub-Pop from 85-93, and the latest rebirth of 06-07. Enjoy. White Stripes (V2) stuff is killer as well.

Killa | 3/9/2007, 11:55 am EST

Robbie Williams- “She’s Madonna”- at least he’s indie here in the States.

tom | 3/9/2007, 11:52 am EST

you spelt ELLIOTT smith’s name wrong. but good list otherwise!

you know... | 3/9/2007, 11:49 am EST

Pixies- where is my mind?
does My Bloody Valentine count? if yes then Only Shallow
Built to Spill- Car
Sigur Ros- Agaetis Byrjun
Broken Social Scene - Cause = Time
Ths Shins- Caring is Creepy
Pavement- Here
Neutral Milk Hotel- In the Aeroplane over the Sky
Wilco- anything off Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Modest Mouse - Dark Center of the Universe

mathew k. | 3/9/2007, 11:47 am EST

i agree with scott p with sufjan. but i would say

sufjan stevens- “to be alone with you” off of the seven swans c.d.

Color Revolt- “Matresses under water”

Iron and Wine- “Passing Afternoon”

Pedro the lion- so many songs from so many c.d’s to choose from

Saves the Day- “at your funeral” (is this indie? sorry i’m not smart about whats indie and whats not)

DW | 3/9/2007, 11:46 am EST

Get Out of My Cave - Young Fresh Fellows
Help You Ann - Lyers
I Got Drunk - Uncle Tupelo
Lights of Downtown - Long Ryders
Treatment Bound - Replacements

Scott P | 3/9/2007, 11:32 am EST

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - “Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone”
Death Cab for Cutie - “A Movie Script Ending”
Sebadoh - “Rebound”
Arcade Fire - “Wake Up (Lies)”
and all of Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois album

fred | 3/9/2007, 11:31 am EST

freak out/give in
doesnt matter what ya believe in

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