10 Independent Rock Albums You Should Own

Independent, or indie-rock music has experienced many ups and downs since its official recognition as a genre. Many devoted fans can listen to nothing else, and many hard-rock/heavy metal fans want to beat those people up. Nevertheless, it's unfair to pile all indie-rock into one group. It doesn't all sound the same (as I used to think). Independent music is as varied, if not more, than commercial music. If some of these albums listed below received the corporate backing of a "band" like the Backstreet Boys, everyone might be talking about these records as some of the best of the last 20-30 years.

That being said, indie rockers like it that way. The anonymity of some of these bands is part of what appeals to them. It can't truly be cool if everybody knows the artists. Well, you're about to know. Screw the indie rockers. Check these albums out, and I don't think you'll be disappointed. On to the list:

10.) Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Matador Records (1994)

You'd probably find Pavement nearer to the top of most indie fans' lists. Pavement is probably the most influential indie band of the last 20 years. I've never been as big of a fan as most, but this album is a gem. Very close to being a commercial pop/rock record, but frontman Stephen Malkmus's unconventional, lilting vocal style and surprisingly masterful guitar work skew the songs just enough to make the listener think "This is different, but in the right ways." If you haven't heard the catchy single "Cut Your Hair," it'll be stuck in your head for awhile after you do.

9.) Built to Spill - Perfect From Now On, Warner Bros. (1997)

Ok, this isn't technically on an indie label, but it might as well be. How many of you that don't listen to independent music have heard of this record? You certainly should. Mastermind and jack of all trades Doug Martsch eschews his traditionally pop and catchy songwriting roots to assemble an album of instrumentally-based epics. The vocals and lyrics on Perfect serve to accentuate the music, and blend effortlessly with some complex arrangements. This is great background music, but if you really want to appreciate the gravity of the songs, turn it on when you can really listen.

8.) Modest Mouse - Building Nothing Out of Something, Up Records (2000)

Modest Mouse is one of the few indie bands to break through heavily into popular music, doing so on their 2004 album Good News for People Who Love Bad News (Epic). This album is a collection of early B-sides, which range a wider emotional and musical scope than any of their regular records. As I see it, all Modest Mouse albums have some really good songs, some decent ones, and some real shit, and it's dependent on which album for the ratio. This is the only one I can listen to start to finish, and love every song on there. Singer Isaac Brock's unorthodox vocals are what makes this band and this album spectacular.

7.) Beck - One Foot in the Grave, K Records (1994)

The first album released by Beck on this Portland, OR-based label. K records was founded by Calvin Johnson, who helped produce and adds percussion and vocals on this record. I've already raved about Beck's talent and ingenuity, so I'll keep this one brief. If you want to hear raw, acoustic-driven folk rock, without all of Beck's signature electronic effects layered in, go get this one.

6.) Beulah - The Coast is Never Clear, Velocette Records (2001)

Beulah's sound is kind of like a more rock & roll version of the Beach Boys. Don't jump to conclusions just yet, though. The band's fuzzy guitars, brass arrangements, and surprisingly disturbing lyrics on this album set a tone unlike any surf rock you've ever heard. When you hear a sugary-sweet voice sing "When they drilled holes in your skull, and screwed that halo to your head, did you think you could fly?" you can't help but do a double take.

5.) Death Cab For Cutie - We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, Barsuk Records (2000)

Another popular crossover (thanks, O.C.), the second effort from the Washington-based quartet is by far the best. Very emotive, very cathartic, and very fluid, you can easily lose yourself in this album. Benny Gibbard's half-drunk, non-threatening vocals can lull you to sleep, then wake you back up, wanting to hear more. Also probably the best track order on a record I've ever heard, which is an underrated aspect of album completion that most bands overlook. Take a lessson, Killers.

4.) Uncle Tupelo - No Depression, Rockville (1990)

The birth of alt-country, and the genesis of two great bands; Sonvolt and Wilco, starts right here. It's a perfect blend of all the right things about country and rock & roll. Jay Farrar's gruff vocals dominate the record, but listen for a much younger and timid Jeff Tweedy (lead singer of Wilco) singing lead on a few songs. It's an album full of premonitions of great things to come.

3.) Smog - Knock, Knock, Drag City (1999)

Sometimes simplicity is everything. Minimalist Bill Callahan weaves a beautiful landscape of stripped, emotion-laden tunes that have listeners glued to the stereo. There are also a few rockers in here, but it doesn't upset the natural flow of the album. It's great to hear a children's choir backing Callahan up on "Hit the Ground Running," too. You can't go wrong with a children's choir.

2.) Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea, Merge Records (1998)

A masterpiece. Generally considered in the indie rock community as the greatest album ever, Singer/guitarist/songwriter Jeff Mangum goes for broke, eliciting every thought or feeling he can remember for the sake of the music and lyrics. His vocals are everwhere. The range is spectacular. The production is ballsy and incomparable. It's gritty and moving at the same time. In short, buy this album and listen to it from beginning to end.

1.) Silver Jews - American Water, Drag City (1998)

Poet/songwriter and Nashville resident D.C. Berman is not the best singer you've ever heard. Nor is his band (featuring the aforementioned Stephen Malkmus from Pavement) the greatest group of musicians assembled. But there's something about American Water that is intangible. Something that glues the songs together in a way that I've never heard before. It's the most imperfect perfection; effortless and brillant. The lyrics are outlandish and beautiful. The melodies work as they should, providing a conduit for poetic lyricism. The album might seem a little commonplace at first, until something clicks, and then you'll know what I mean. Check it out.