Top 10 Lists
Lists, lists, lists. Thousands of alternative records compiled, collated, and crammed into an array of Top 10s on hand to help you make sense of indie's sprawling history. Both definitive and debate-starting, these wide-ranging rankings veer from dead serious to dead silly.
10 Great 2009 Debut Albums
duction.
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Top 10 Breakout Acts of 2009
Every year, there are a host of bands who come from out of nowhere to suddenly be, like, everywhere. And it's never been more obvious than in the blogosphere era, in which every cool new band seems to come pre-armed with a smattering of blogger hype. Many of the Class of '09 have felt the hysteria of internet hype; and some, like Wavves, have felt the nasty sting of hype's backlash. Yet, t…
Every year, there are a host of bands who come from out of nowhere to suddenly be, like, everywhere. And it's never been more obvious than in the blogosphere era, in which every cool new band seems to come pre-armed with a smattering of blogger hype. Many of the Class of '09 have felt the hysteria of internet hype; and some, like Wavves, have felt the nasty sting of hype's backlash. Yet, t…
10 Bands to Watch at CMJ 2009
From The Antlers to The XX, Broadcast to the Very Best, here's ten perfect picks from CMJ's sprawling slate of performers.
From The Antlers to The XX, Broadcast to the Very Best, here's ten perfect picks from CMJ's sprawling slate of performers.
Top 10 Twee Albums
The indie-est of all genres, the twee movement —from its beginnings at the end of post-punk to its fully-fledged transformation into its own sub-culture— is often written about in the most condescending of manners. Sure, there was, and still is, a definite sense of infantilism to the bob-cuts and dress-ups and lunchboxes. But this list consists of ten robust works of art; amazing song…
The indie-est of all genres, the twee movement —from its beginnings at the end of post-punk to its fully-fledged transformation into its own sub-culture— is often written about in the most condescending of manners. Sure, there was, and still is, a definite sense of infantilism to the bob-cuts and dress-ups and lunchboxes. But this list consists of ten robust works of art; amazing song…
Top 10 Albums of 2009's First Half
1969 can go hang. The profitable industry of baby boomer-writ history will try to convince you 40 years ago was superior to the here and now, but, like patriotism, nostalgia is the refuge of a scoundrel. 2009 has been an unbelievable year for music. Away from the dim-witted pornography of chart-pop lurk thousands of albums made by independent artists working beyond boundaries of culture, traditio…
1969 can go hang. The profitable industry of baby boomer-writ history will try to convince you 40 years ago was superior to the here and now, but, like patriotism, nostalgia is the refuge of a scoundrel. 2009 has been an unbelievable year for music. Away from the dim-witted pornography of chart-pop lurk thousands of albums made by independent artists working beyond boundaries of culture, traditio…
Top 10 Constellation Albums
10 killer platters from the House That Post-Rock Built. From Godspeed! to Clues, and so many in between.
10 killer platters from the House That Post-Rock Built. From Godspeed! to Clues, and so many in between.
Top 20 Albums of 2007
2007 seemed like an unusually good year for good music. And it wasn't just made by members of Animal Collective.
2007 seemed like an unusually good year for good music. And it wasn't just made by members of Animal Collective.
10 Acts to Watch at SXSW 2009
Every year SXSW turns up a bunch of bands who go from obscure to hyped in a heartbeat. Here's ten acts to watch at the '09 festivities.
Every year SXSW turns up a bunch of bands who go from obscure to hyped in a heartbeat. Here's ten acts to watch at the '09 festivities.
Top 10 Kill Rock Stars Albums
The label that gave riot-grrrl to the world has grown into an iconic independent imprint beholden to no singular sound or style.
The label that gave riot-grrrl to the world has grown into an iconic independent imprint beholden to no singular sound or style.
10 Most Disappointing Albums of 2008
Making a list of disappointing discs is more about unfulfilled expectations than anything else.
Making a list of disappointing discs is more about unfulfilled expectations than anything else.
Top 20 Albums of 2008
Let's count 'em down: the very best alternative and/or indie records of the year. Old favorites, new loves, strange surprises, unexpected treasures. The essential picks of the '08.
Let's count 'em down: the very best alternative and/or indie records of the year. Old favorites, new loves, strange surprises, unexpected treasures. The essential picks of the '08.
10 Great 2008 Debut Albums
Though the increasingly-leaky digital dissemination of music has lessened the impact of hard-and-firm release-dates, there remains something intrinsically exciting about first discovering the freshly-minted work of a new artist blessed with a distinctive, individual artistic voice. Though many of those on this list warmed up for their first longplayers with impressive EPs, each truly arrived on t…
Though the increasingly-leaky digital dissemination of music has lessened the impact of hard-and-firm release-dates, there remains something intrinsically exciting about first discovering the freshly-minted work of a new artist blessed with a distinctive, individual artistic voice. Though many of those on this list warmed up for their first longplayers with impressive EPs, each truly arrived on t…
10 Killer Under-the-Radar 2008 Albums
In 2008, the power of the internet is such that it's possible for any album, no matter how strange and/or obscure, to be thrust out of the shadowy underground into the bright lights of pop-cultural popularity. Yet, the sheer, unending, unrelenting volume of record releases means that, each year, many a wondrous work of borderline-genius will fall through the hype-machine's cracks. With 2008 comin…
In 2008, the power of the internet is such that it's possible for any album, no matter how strange and/or obscure, to be thrust out of the shadowy underground into the bright lights of pop-cultural popularity. Yet, the sheer, unending, unrelenting volume of record releases means that, each year, many a wondrous work of borderline-genius will fall through the hype-machine's cracks. With 2008 comin…
Top 10 Breakout Acts of 2008
Every year, a smattering of acts come out of nowhere, releasing unexpected debuts that turn their fanbases from tiny into teeming. Here're the stars of the Class of '08.
Every year, a smattering of acts come out of nowhere, releasing unexpected debuts that turn their fanbases from tiny into teeming. Here're the stars of the Class of '08.
Top 10 Lo-Fi Albums
In the 1980s, the British Phonographic Industry launched a short-sighted, essentially silly campaign against the supposed 'piracy' of music enthusiasts taping LPs onto cassettes for friends. The catchy slogan was "Home Taping Is Killing Music". Nearly 30 years on, and it's clear that home-taping revolutionized music. Not simply in the sharing thereof, but in affording broke, unprofessional musici…
In the 1980s, the British Phonographic Industry launched a short-sighted, essentially silly campaign against the supposed 'piracy' of music enthusiasts taping LPs onto cassettes for friends. The catchy slogan was "Home Taping Is Killing Music". Nearly 30 years on, and it's clear that home-taping revolutionized music. Not simply in the sharing thereof, but in affording broke, unprofessional musici…
Top 10 Merge Albums
Since being minted in 1989, Merge Records has always had the feeling of a label quietly going about its business. Yet, in its history, they've has served up some of the most treasured albums in alternative music’s hard-to-define history. In 2005, when Funeral, the first album by Montréal’s the Arcade Fire, was unleashed unto the world Merge famously only had one PR man on staff; the h…
Since being minted in 1989, Merge Records has always had the feeling of a label quietly going about its business. Yet, in its history, they've has served up some of the most treasured albums in alternative music’s hard-to-define history. In 2005, when Funeral, the first album by Montréal’s the Arcade Fire, was unleashed unto the world Merge famously only had one PR man on staff; the h…
Top 10 Matador Albums
Few record-labels have had an ongoing, unbroken run of pop-cultural credibility like Matador Records. The New Yorker label, in its 20 years on the job, has released an embarrassment of recorded riches. Hitching their wagon, early, to Stephen Malkmus's star, Matador has found much good fortune; not least of all when they stumbled upon one Chan Marshall. Denying an insistent impulse to fill this co…
Few record-labels have had an ongoing, unbroken run of pop-cultural credibility like Matador Records. The New Yorker label, in its 20 years on the job, has released an embarrassment of recorded riches. Hitching their wagon, early, to Stephen Malkmus's star, Matador has found much good fortune; not least of all when they stumbled upon one Chan Marshall. Denying an insistent impulse to fill this co…
Top 10 'Obscure' Starter Albums
Whilst my Top 10 Starters laid out alternative music’s basics, to just stick to the classics isn’t really keeping with the independent spirit. And the musical underground is littered with off-the-beaten track albums every bit as amazing as their more-acclaimed peers. In that spirit, here’s a Top 10 ‘Obscure’ Starter Albums countdown, a …
Whilst my Top 10 Starters laid out alternative music’s basics, to just stick to the classics isn’t really keeping with the independent spirit. And the musical underground is littered with off-the-beaten track albums every bit as amazing as their more-acclaimed peers. In that spirit, here’s a Top 10 ‘Obscure’ Starter Albums countdown, a …
Top 10 Sub Pop Albums
Though it'll be forever associated with grunge, Seattle's legendary Sub Pop Records has reinvented itself in the new millennium, presiding over an eclectic lineup of increasingly-successful acts. Here're 10 picks from the label's first 20 years.
Though it'll be forever associated with grunge, Seattle's legendary Sub Pop Records has reinvented itself in the new millennium, presiding over an eclectic lineup of increasingly-successful acts. Here're 10 picks from the label's first 20 years.
Top 10 Starter Alternative Albums
No self-respecting alternative-minded record-collection should be without these unique, unusual, underground albums. Though they haven't sold half-as-many copies, combined, as Bat Out Of Hell, these records have influenced more bands than could possibly be tallied; their individuality and creativity like a lightning-rod for inspiration. Many may not have been hailed in their day, but time …
No self-respecting alternative-minded record-collection should be without these unique, unusual, underground albums. Though they haven't sold half-as-many copies, combined, as Bat Out Of Hell, these records have influenced more bands than could possibly be tallied; their individuality and creativity like a lightning-rod for inspiration. Many may not have been hailed in their day, but time …