Indie & Alternative Appreciation / Discussion Thread!

[overcookedbacon]

I'm going to avoid more recent artists/albums, since it's really not fair to call them "essential" already. There are a few exceptional albums that could fall under that category, but otherwise it's just too soon.

Also, if I add a Belle & Sebastian album it'll probably be one of their first two (Tigermilk or If You're Feeling Sinister). As I said, I want to avoid more recent stuff, and those two are the most defining albums B&S have put out. Guided By Voices will definitely be on that list though.

Also, You Forgot It In Me is more widely accepted as BSS's best work. It may prove to be one of those exceptional exceptions.

[neckermanncj]

I'm going to avoid more recent artists/albums, since it's really not fair to call them "essential" already. There are a few exceptional albums that could fall under that category, but otherwise it's just too soon.

Also, if I add a Belle & Sebastian album it'll probably be one of their first two (Tigermilk or If You're Feeling Sinister). As I said, I want to avoid more recent stuff, and those two are the most defining albums B&S have put out.

those are the only albums that you may have heard, in my opinion the essential album for Belle & Sebastain is Dear Catastrophe Waitress.

an essential album doesn't mean it has to be an older release by a band. if you go back to 1989 when Doolittle was released, did people know that that album was going to be hugely influencial and everything? probably not

im just saying... but for B&S their best album is DCW

[overcookedbacon]

those are the only albums that you may have heard, in my opinion the essential album for Belle & Sebastain is Dear Catastrophe Waitress.

I've been through B&S's albums (except for one) at least once each. Tigermilk and If You're Feeling Sinister are the only ones that really stood out for me (and they're the only ones I still listen to with any regularity). Dear Catastrophe Waitress was a decent album, but it's nothing particularly spectacular (or defining for that matter). It was an almost complete departure from their sound on previous albums as well. They lost their lo-fi folky awesomeness...

It's really arguable if Belle & Sebastian deserve a spot at all, but I would certainly say so.

an essential album doesn't mean it has to be an older release by a band. if you go back to 1989 when Doolittle was released, did people know that that album was going to be hugely influencial and everything? probably not

To be an "essential album," said album must be... Well, "essential." Typically that would mean something that you need to really understand and appreciate the genre. It has nothing to do with when the album was released, it's just that I can't think of many recent albums that qualify as absolutely essential.

I'm not sure how lenient or strict I'll need to be for adding albums to the list in the OP... Depends on just how many there are in the end I guess. I will also add albums that are very good, but not really "essential" at some point. Right now, I'm trying to compose a list of the most important ones.

im just saying... but for B&S their best album is DCW

Is there any evidence to show that? Besides your opinion, that is. With B&S it's debatable. The one album I haven't heard is The Boy with the Arab Strap, and there are actually quite a few people out there who say it's their best album... For the most part though, Tigermilk and/or If You're Feeling Sinister are pointed to as their best (at least from what I've seen).

[neckermanncj]

I've been through B&S's albums (except for one) at least once each. Tigermilk and If You're Feeling Sinister are the only ones that really stood out for me (and they're the only ones I still listen to with any regularity). Dear Catastrophe Waitress was a decent album, but it's nothing particularly spectacular (or defining for that matter). It was an almost complete departure from their sound on previous albums as well. They lost their lo-fi folky awesomeness...

It's really arguable if Belle & Sebastian deserve a spot at all, but I would certainly say so.



To be an "essential album," said album must be... Well, "essential." Typically that would mean something that you need to really understand and appreciate the genre. It has nothing to do with when the album was released, it's just that I can't think of many recent albums that qualify as absolutely essential.

I'm not sure how lenient or strict I'll need to be for adding albums to the list in the OP... Depends on just how many there are in the end I guess. I will also add albums that are very good, but not really "essential" at some point. Right now, I'm trying to compose a list of the most important ones.



Is there any evidence to show that? Besides your opinion, that is. With B&S it's debatable. The one album I haven't heard is The Boy with the Arab Strap, and there are actually quite a few people out there who say it's their best album... For the most part though, Tigermilk and/or If You're Feeling Sinister are pointed to as their best (at least from what I've seen).

fair enough, i guess its the same with Wincing and Oh Inverted world... everyone points to Oh Inverted world as being the Shins best album, but i like Wincing the best.

if you are going to choose any of those 2 i would want "If You're Feeling Sinister"

better album IMO than Tigermilk, and you should check out "The Boy With The Arab Strap" it is quite good as well

[timmay9]

I think it'd be cool to talk about some of the scenes that inspired, were influenced, or spun off from alternative music.

No wave, post-punk, anti-folk, goth rock, the whole college rock scene, etc.

[neckermanncj]

also i think you should include Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah in the OP. it exemplifies Indie Rock very well, and is an excellent album.

also throw in Oh, Inverted World if you want

EDIT: and if you are going to have an of Montreal album, you could use Satanic Panic Panic In The Attic, Coquelot Asleep In The Poppies... or The *** Parade. someone else can have an opinion on those 3 and choose one of them if they want

also you should add Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot!

EDIT#2: Guided By Voices!!!!

[overcookedbacon]

The more recent (post-2000) indie albums that I am considering:

The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Source Tags & Codes
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights
The Arcade Fire - Funeral
TV On The Radio - Dear Science or Return To Cookie Mountain

To be fair neckermanncj, a lot of the stuff you mentioned is really quite good. It's again just not really that essential to indie rock. The Shins are great, but they're nothing new.

I will be including a Sebadoh album. Probably Bakesale. Although it's tempting to include either III or Bubble & Scrape.

I think it'd be cool to talk about some of the scenes that inspired, were influenced, or spun off from alternative music.

No wave, post-punk, anti-folk, goth rock, the whole college rock scene, etc.

For sure. I'll get around to it tomorrow (hopefully).

Man, I probably should have thought ahead and reserved two or so posts in addition to my OP... Oh well, I'll make it work.

[timmay9]

I'd suggest including The 'Mats Tim as well. Goes hand in hand with Let It Be.

Also, while stasis might disagree, Husker Du's Zen Arcade or New Day Rising should be included.

And:

Talking Heads-Remain in Light
The Velvet Underground-The Velvet Underground and Nico (arguable as alternative)
Violent Femmes-Violent Femmes

[neckermanncj]

Also, You Forgot It In Me is more widely accepted as BSS's best work. It may prove to be one of those exceptional exceptions.

i was gonna correct you

To be fair neckermanncj, a lot of the stuff you mentioned is really quite good. It's again just not really that essential to indie rock. The Shins are great, but they're nothing new.

they are pretty essential, they are one of the more popular Indie Rock acts today, they have all the right as Liz Phair does to be on your list, i never see Liz Phair mentioned anywhere as being an essential Indie Rock artist (i know who liz phair is, i'm from CT also)

you should also add Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (essential Alt-Country)

and pick a Yo La Tengo album

and i'm fine with You Forgot It In People, i just like their s/t more

Elephant 6 bands need representation!
The Olivia Tremor Control - Dusk At Cubist Castle
The Apples In Stereo - Fun Trick Noisemaker
of Montreal - Coquelicot Asleep In The Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse

Elliott Smith - Either/Or or XO

i think personal preference is overtaking your decisions....

I'd suggest including The 'Mats Tim as well. Goes hand in hand with Let It Be.

Also, while stasis might disagree, Husker Du's Zen Arcade or New Day Rising should be included.

And:

Talking Heads-Remain in Light
The Velvet Underground-The Velvet Underground and Nico (arguable as alternative)
Violent Femmes-Violent Femmes

i like these


EDIT: in what ways are Slint Indie Rock?

[timmay9]

I kind of dig the Shins, but I don't know how they are all that essential.

Liz Phair helped push boundaries about what women could sing about.