# A Beginner's Guide to Indie Pop and Rock **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 22, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091 "2005-01-22T15:42:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/21 "2005-01-24T02:04:57Z")
Either, I suppose. I’m pretty new to the genre and its name is as ambiguous as “alternative rock” is and I like a wide range of styles so it’s hard to really describe what I’m looking for. I do know I like techno-pop like the indie artists I named in my OP though. And the style of RCHP – funk rock? – and mellow folkish female artists like Lisa Loeb, Liz Phair, and Michelle Branch are good as well. No idea if any of this helps matters any. Sorry… I’m totally out of my element when it comes to music. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/22 "2005-01-25T19:59:26Z")
Any more suggestions? I got plenty but would appreciate as many as possible. You can never have enough knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![rorty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@rorty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rorty)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/23 "2005-01-25T21:02:51Z")
I’ll go ahead and echo a lot of the great suggestions listed here already (as they’re some of my favorites bands/artists) and add some of my own. I apologize if these bleed between the lines of true indie rock and alternative rock (these labels are nearly meaningless to me). **Belle & Sebastian** - British pop, very melodic, very soft. I’ve heard them described numerous times as “precious.” Some of the lyrics are just so sweet. Might take a few lessons to sink into, but it’s worth it. \*If You’re Feeling Sinister \*and _Dear Catastrophe Waitress_ are my favorite albums. **Joy Division** - Dark, tortured, depressing lyrics. A short lived band that sort of bridged the gap between synth and punk. After the lead singer’s suicide, the remainder of the band went on to form the great 80s group **New Order**. I’d recommend _Substance_ (a compilation) to new listeners as it was my first introduction to the band. Their two official releases, _Unknown Pleasures_ and _Closer_, are some of the finest albums of the period. **My Bloody Valentine** - As stated, _Loveless_ is one of the greatest albums of the 90s. It’s the crowning achievement of the “shoegazer” movement. There is a blending of lyrics and distorted guitars that is unparalleled and it works perfectly. This is one of my Desert Island Albums. _Isn’t Anything_ is an excellent album as well. In this same vein, check out **Ride** ’s album _Nowhere_. Lyrics are easier to follow if you’re into that. **Pixies** - Sort of an infusion of surf guitar and punk. Great, catchy, short tunes. Lyrics are crazy and all over the place, but they work well within the context. _Surfer Rosa_ and _Doolittle_ are probably their finest albums, but I love _Bossanova_ and _Trompe le Monde_ equally as much. They were one of Kurt Cobain’s biggest influences and are college rock legends. **Sonic Youth** - Noise, distortion, feedback, experimentalist rock. _Daydream Nation_ is regarded as their best and most influential of many excellent albums. _Dirty_ has more of a punkish or grunge feel to it. _Murray Street_ and _Sonic Nurse_, two of their newest albums, are more melodic and I’d highly recommend them to new listeners who might be turned off to the initial “noise” of some of their earlier albums. **The Strokes** - _Is This It?_ is solid from start to finish. Very catchy with good hooks. One of my favorite recent rock releases. **Yo La Tengo** - _I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One_ has sort of a subdued feel to it. Melodic and the occasional fuzzy guitar. I’m just getting into these guys, but like them very much. Also, if you haven’t, check out **The Velvet Underground**. They’re one of the biggest influences of indie/alternative/whateverthehellyouwannacallit. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/24 "2005-01-25T21:15:43Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Any more suggestions? Since you like Tool, I’d recommend Alchemist (_Organasm_), Isis (_Oceanic_), Neurosis(_Through Silver in Blood_), and Pelican (_Australasia_). ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/25 "2005-01-25T21:28:24Z")
I’ll try not to repeat anything already mentioned… Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Queens of the Stone Age Stellastarr Eagles of Death Metal Le Tigre PJ Harvey The Secret Machines Division of Laura Lee Les Savy Fav Shannon Wright The Soviettes Rilo Kiley Uncle Tupelo Angela McCluskey The Libertines The Dirtbombs Old 97’s The Hellacopters The Explosion The Walkmen The Killers The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Turbonegro Portishead As for things already mentioned, I can’t second the Pixies, the White Stripes, Liz Phair or New Pornographers enough. They’re all just fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/26 "2005-01-25T21:37:47Z")
Camper Van Beethoven - Uh, anything from their Santa Cruz years. They do so many styles and flavors which sometimes leak over into a slightly country sound. Great and one of the most well known college radio bands of the mid to late '80s. I really only came here to mention the band above, but I’ll throw in a band that is talked about quite a lot - Modest Mouse. Basically anything from their catalouge; I’m sure you could find something to like from them. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/27 "2005-01-25T21:42:40Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Any more suggestions? I got plenty but would appreciate as many as possible. > > You can never have enough knowledge. Check out [Stevie Van Zandt’s](http://www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com/) website, and check to see if his two hour syndicated show airs in your area each week. Friends of mine have had some of their songs on his show this past year. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/28 "2005-01-26T03:47:41Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > I’m really starting to dig Metric thanks to the song, Dead Disco… Alright! Let’s play an exciting round of _Six Degrees of Canadian Indie Rock_. **Metric** (whom I’m going to see next Friday, by the way) is fronted by Emily Haines. Emily Haines is one of the many members of eclectic Toronto collective **Broken Social Scene**. Their 2003 album, _You Forgot it in People_, was considered one of the best records of that year, and not just in Canada. There’s something on it for every taste, and yet it all comes together in one cohesive whole. One of the members of Broken Social Scene, **Jason Collett** has released a couple of solo albums. Live, he reminds me a bit of Don Henley, but on disc there are glimpses everyone from Lou Reed to the Beatles. Another band that has helped out Broken Social Scene is Montreal’s **The Stars**. I personally believe that there is no band in music today writing more honestly, and more devastatingly, about love and sex than **The Stars**. Lush, electro-tinged guitar pop. With alternating male and female vocals. Another Montreal band that has recently been making waves is **The Stills**. They’ve got a dark, 80s vibe to them - a more aggressive, less poetic Smiths, perhaps? Montreal is also the home to the **Godspeed! You Black Emperor/Do Make Say Think** collectives - someone else can probably do justice to their sound better than I can, as I’ve never really gotten into them, but they’re pretty essential in today’s indie rock world. And of course, **Sloan**. Possibly the most influential Canadian band over the past ten years (and I’m including **The Tragically Hip** in that sentiment) - and definitely one of the catchiest. They’ve probably written at least ten perfect pop songs over their seven or so albums. That’s Eastern Canada. If you’d like a synopsis of the best music west of Thunder Bay, I shall do my best. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/29 "2005-01-26T07:32:55Z")
Sure. Include the territories too, if you like. After all, I doubt Inuit music can’t be much more odd than Filipino rap metal. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/30 "2005-01-26T19:25:33Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Sure. Include the territories too, if you like. > > After all, I doubt Inuit music can’t be much more odd than Filipino rap metal. Then you obviously haven’t heard Inuit throat singing. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/31 "2005-01-26T19:31:21Z")
> [@Treviathan](#): > > And of course, **Sloan**. Possibly the most influential Canadian band over the past ten years (and I’m including **The Tragically Hip** in that sentiment) - and definitely one of the catchiest. They’ve probably written at least ten perfect pop songs over their seven or so albums. WORD. Sloan is one of my all time favs. **Aesiron** , be sure to check out **The Dandy Warhols** too. Especially _Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia_. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/32 "2005-01-26T20:22:32Z")
I love Sloan, and I was going to mention them here. 'Course, if you’re checking out Sloan, you might as well check out some of their contemporaries and fellow-travelers, though some of their stuff may be hard to find around the US: The Super Friendz, Jale, The Heavy Blinkers, and Eric’s Trip. The 'Friendz sound a lot like Sloan, with an ace lead guitarist; Jale was a female-fronted power-pop band; the Blinkers are an orchestral-pop band (one reviewer called them "ten times The Polyphonic Spree with 1/100th the hype); and Eric’s Trip was a lo-fi garage band with dream-pop aspirations. I would also highly recommend The Pernice Brothers, a US band which two members of Jale joined. They’re one of the more literate bands out there, but very listenable: their sound can be uplifting and heartbreaking all at once. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/33 "2005-01-26T20:41:30Z")
> [@Kantalooppi](#): > > Why go for a print magazine when you’ve got [Pitchfork Media?](http://www.pitchforkmedia.com) (Of course, I predict that now there’ll be requisite wave of BLARG BLARG ONLY ELITIST HIPSTERS READ PITCHFORK AND THEY HAD THIS ONE REVIEW I DIDN’T AGREE WITH ETC ETC.) I’ll give you half of the requisite wave. PFM is good for news and keeping on track of new releases, but it seems like 80% of their reviews of full of fluff written by some college sophmore dweeb who has 2 semesters of creative writing under his belt. Here’s my impression of the average PFM review: > [@](#): > > “Stinky Britches” > Eric Cartman feat/ Slayer > 7.4 / 10 > review by mouthbreather for PitchforkMedia. > > You know how when you were a little kid and you’d fall down on the way to school? I did this a lot when I was a kid. I wouldn up with perma-scabs on my knees, and I really got teased a lot. IT got to the point where I had to get special pants because I was so clumsy and always ripping the knees out of them. Once in third grade I had to go to the nurse and she ran out of Bactine and I got sent home. when I got home I watched back to back episodes of the Greatest American hero… > > \ > > So , finally, When I graduated high school, someone said to me … remember when you used to fall all the time? I thought…wow…that really took me back. And that’s what listening to “Stinky Britches” is like. Solid effort, but Track 7 is rather lackluster. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/34 "2005-01-26T21:55:24Z")
Some artists I like that haven’t yet been mentioned: Pavement–One of the “classic” indie bands. Pick up Slanted and Enchanted while you’re out buying Doolittle and Daydream Nation Self–I was seriously obsessed with this band last year. Awesome pop music with clever lyrics. Subliminal Plastic Motives is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Ima Robot–fast, dancey rock The Faint–more dancey rock, lots of synth Interpol–more synth rock, kinda slowish The Hives–energetic poppy rock from Sweden Pulp–classic Britpop band, had a few hits this side of the pond Snow Patrol–more Britrock, sorta mainstreamish but still very good I’ll also second Franz Ferdinand, the Killers, and Le Tigre. ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091/35 "2005-01-26T21:56:21Z")
Indie Rock - [Pinback](http://www.pinback.com/) …check out ‘Penelope’ Americana? [Pinetop Seven](http://www.pinetopseven.com/) -I think they should have done the ‘Carnivale’ soundtrack. Check out ‘Heavens’ or ‘Drying Out’ Post Rock (Jazzy, with electronica thrown in)- [Tortoise](http://www.trts.com/). ‘Monica’ and ‘I Set My Face to the Hillside’ are my faves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-beginners-guide-to-indie-pop-and-rock/286091.md?page=1)