 | Stage Names by Okkervil River Buy new: $13.83 / Used from: $3.14 Will Sheff is with out a doubt the best song writer today. Okkervil River has slowly but surely risen to be one of my favorite bands, no doubt due to Will Sheff's voice and lyrics, both of which are captivating and eerie. A true mastermind.
Highlight song: A Girl in Port |
 | OK Computer by Radiohead Buy new: $9.02 / Used from: $2.30 Any indie rock fan knows this album intimately, and any person on the street has at least heard of the music giant Radiohead. OK Computer is still their best album to date, and is how they shall remain in music history.
Highlight song: Karma Police |
 | You Forgot It in People by Broken Social Scene Buy new: $11.00 / Used from: $3.94 Er, yeah, nothing I can say about this album besides the cliche, "Wow". This band is a "super group" and uses anywhere between 5 and 17 members at any time, which leads to a wide variation in how they sound. Buy this album right now!
Highlight song: KC Accidental |
 | Meadowlands by Wrens Buy new: $13.24 / Used from: $3.34 It took forever for the Wrens to come out with this album, but it was well worth the wait. Their best effort thus far, with songs that are light and friendly and yet still pack a jaw dropping punch. Nomination for best album of this new millenium in my opinion.
Highlight song: She Sends Kisses |
 | Sea Change by Beck Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $0.43 Ah, how heartbreak can bring along such brilliant song writing. Beck Hansen wrote this album after breaking up with his long time girlfriend, and all the better for his fans, for this is his defining album. Let the beautiful blissfulness smother you. Yeah, tastes good...
Highlight song: Lost Cause |
 | Friend & Foe by Menomena Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $3.00 Three man group, they all sing, they all play multiple instruments, and they sound incredible, now that's talent.
Highlight song: Wet and Rusting |
 | Just Like the Fambly Cat by Grandaddy Buy new: $10.51 / Used from: $1.40 This album or The Sophtware Slump, I don't know which one I like more. But this is the final album in Grandaddy's legacy, and one that recieved nowhere near the attention it deserved. A true iconic legend in music.
Highlight song: Jeez Louise |
 | Welcome to the Middle by Laguardia Buy used from: $0.01 This band never quite broke through, a shame. This was there one and only album, pretty catchy tunes and showed signs of what I thought could become a great band some day... oh well.
Highlight song: Holy Ghost |
 | Twilight by Boa Buy used from: $28.96 I forked over 40 bucks on this ridiculously hard to find album after listening to their single "Duvet". Not only has that become my personal favorite song, this has become one of my top albums. Each song is clearly well thought out and executed to perfection. Worth its weight in gold.
Highlight song: Duvet |
 | De-Loused in the Comatorium by Mars Volta Buy new: $11.19 / Used from: $2.46 These guys have managed to stay under wraps somehow. Creepy music which will absolutely free your mind to another dimension. If that makes any sense. Also check out their single "Widow", un-be-lie-va-ble!
Highlight song: Televators |
 | The Man in the Turban by Man Man Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.48 Quriky and cWazzyness! A ridiculous band, in a good sense, with some good songs. The only downfall is I find it hard to listen to thier stuff repeatedly. A good low profile band to check out though.
Highlight song: Against The Peruvian Monster |
 | Trials of Van Occupanther by Midlake Buy new: $12.79 / Used from: $1.99 I could listen to this album for days on end. The whole album is easy to listen to and very catchy, and quite a bit different from their previous album. A definite step up.
Highlight song: Tie between Roscoe and Young Bride |
 | Good News for People Who Love Bad News by Modest Mouse Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $1.93 A very popular Indie band, if you've never listened to them, start here. Maybe not their best album, but certainly where the greatness started to seep through.
Highlight song: Float-On |
 | Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $1.14 Not quite indie rock and very mainstream, but I still respect the way these guys sound. Great music and they seem to stick to their roots, unlike many commercial bands.
Highlight song: Californication |
 | Come On Feel the Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $6.92 My Mr. Sufjan, how I adore you. This album will either rock your socks off, or bore you to death. I hope its the socks, because if so you are in for a real treat. Another canidate for album of the millenium anyone?
Highlight song: Chicago |
 | See The Sound by Etro Anime Buy new: $13.67 / Used from: $4.86 Mmm, mmm, now that's a tasty album! Or so Samuel L. Jackson would say. Any who, this album maintains a high quality of songs, that are somewhat popish/indish, throughout its entire length, and its lead vocalist (female) is sensational. I think it warrants its almost perfect rating thus far. |
 | Palo Santo by Shearwater Buy used from: $2.42 Who knew the guitarist of Okkervil River could sing so well? I didn't until I heard this album. A work of art to say the least. Who needs cigarettes to keep calm when you can simply listen to this?
Highlight song: Red Sea, Black Sea |
 | Telegraph by Drake Bell Buy new: $8.62 / Used from: $1.24 I knew my man Drake could act, but sing this incredibly too! A little more pop than indie, but it fits the bill. Drake is really headed for the big time in the next couple years, so it's good to hear him before too much mainstream inflicts him... hopefully not too much.
Highlight song: Found A Way |
 | Fort Nightly by White Rabbits Buy used from: $3.44 By the sounds of this album, these guys are gonna be big in the indie rock scene, but probably not much anywhere else. More for us I guess, since this debut album is one of the best I've heard in a while.
Highlight song: Kid On My Shoulders |
 | Is a Real Boy (Bonus CD) (Clean) by Say Anything Buy used from: $4.30 Once again a little more pop then indie, but still very good. This album contains some of the most addiciting, sing-along songs ever made. By the second time through you'll find yourself running out of breath!
Highlight song: Admit It!!! |
 | Silent Alarm by Bloc Party Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $0.01 I had high hopes for these guys after this great debut album, but thus they disappointed me. This is still a great album though with an interesting lead vocal, either you love em' or you hate em'.
Highlight song: Like Eating Glass |
 | Disintegration by Cure Buy new: $13.88 / Used from: $2.77 More props to an indie legend here. The Cure, along with Radiohead, really laid a lot of the ground work for so much great indie music today. And Edward Scissorhands is the lead singer! Or Robert Smith by his actual name:)
Highlight song: Pictures of You |
 | Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs by Andrew Bird Buy new: $14.29 / Used from: $5.88 A fabulous journey. Set down the drugs (Ah-hem, if you have any) and simply close your eyes and listen. It's like taking a "trip" without the downside.
Highlight song: A Nervous Tic |
 | The Folded Palm by Frog Eyes Buy new: $16.17 / Used from: $1.74 Holy F*** S***!!! Yeah, you'll be saying that too after listening to this masterpiece of quirky-laciousness and nonsensical delight. Are those even words? Who cares!
Highlight song: New Tappy is Heard and Beheld |
 | f#a# (infinity symbol) by Godspeed You Black Emperor Buy new: $13.87 / Used from: $5.45 No lyrics, just great music. No Mas.
Highlight song: There isn't one, the music all blends beautifully together. |
 | Dust of Retreat (Exco) by Margot & Nuclear So & So's Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $2.84 Absolutely great debut album, there's a reason it averages five stars, just listen to the second song on the album "Skeleton Key". I'm still eagerly waiting for the follow-up album.
Highlight song: Skeleton Key |
