We think of Indie music as being guitar based, alternative rock. However, the term 'Indie' actually comes from 'Independent', meaning bands or artists that were signed to an independent record label; nothing to do with the style of music actually being made.
In actual fact, much of the music we may think of as being Indie music is produced by mainstream record companies, such as Polydor or EMI. This means that in some cases bands such as Radiohead who appear to fit into the genre referred to as Indie with their guitar based, alternative rock style, are signed to mainstream labels (in the case of Radiohead: Parlophone, a subsidiary of EMI), whilst some music we would think of as Pop, like Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan in the 80s, were actually signed to independent Australian record label PWL.
So, I have tried to keep my top ten true to both definitions: Alternative, guitar based rock music, signed to an Independent Record label (at least at the time when the album was released).
10. Jack Johnson - 'Brushfire Fairytales'
Everloving - February 2001
Certainly quite a chilled album, not at all how you would imagine Indie rock. But this has a relaxed summertime sound and reminds me of being in Australia.
9. Two Door Cinema Club - 'Beacon'
Transgressive - August 2012
Brand new so maybe a bit premature to put it straight into my top 10 but I love this album already! Also, Two Door Cinema Club are truly Indie, unlike other bands around at the moment, like The Vaccines, who are actually signed to major labels.
8. Example - 'Won't Go Quietly'
Data - June 2010
A bit of a fusion away from Indie rock music, into dance and rap, but a really fantastic album for moving Indie music in a new direction. This is Example's second album, and the one that helped him to become more noticed, although he still remains signed to an independent label.
7. Pigeon Detectives - 'Wait for Me'
Dance to the Radio - May 2007
Signed to a really independent label based in Leeds, this Leeds band's first album has some really cheeky and catchy lyrics.
6. The Strokes - 'Is This It'
Rough Trade - July 2001
New York based Indie guitar. This album brought Indie rock back to popularity following the Post-Britpop lull.
5. Ash - '1977'
Infectious Records - May 1996
Showing my age here but Ash were just 18 when this album reached number one and I found them quite inspirational for that. The music on this album reflects their age as lots of the lyrics are quite fun and the guitars are very high-octane.
4. The XX - 'The XX'
Young Turks - August 2009
Again, quite a chilled Indie album and the second by the XX.
3. The Libertines - 'Up The Bracket'
Rough Trade - October 2002
This first Libertines album, before it all went wrong for Carl and Pete. A really rocky album that has heavily influenced lots of other bands.
2. The Arctic Monkeys - 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'
Domino - January 2006
Arctic Monkeys were one of the first bands to gain notoriety through viral marketing and word of mouth on social networking sites. Alex Turner's observational lyrics are so clever and funny. Another Yorkshire band!
1. Oasis - 'Definitely Maybe'
Creation Records - August 1994
Again, showing my age, but for me nothing beats this first Indie album that I ever loved.
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