Top 10 Lists
Lists, lists, lists. Thousands of alternative records compiled, collated, and crammed into an array of Top 10s on hand to help you make sense of indie's sprawling history. Both definitive and debate-starting, these wide-ranging rankings veer from dead serious to dead silly.
10 Great 2008 Debut Albums
Though the increasingly-leaky digital dissemination of music has lessened the impact of hard-and-firm release-dates, there remains something intrinsically exciting about first discovering the freshly-minted work of a new artist blessed with a distinctive, individual artistic voice. Though many of those on this list warmed up for their first longplayers with impressive EPs, each truly arrived on t…
Though the increasingly-leaky digital dissemination of music has lessened the impact of hard-and-firm release-dates, there remains something intrinsically exciting about first discovering the freshly-minted work of a new artist blessed with a distinctive, individual artistic voice. Though many of those on this list warmed up for their first longplayers with impressive EPs, each truly arrived on t…
10 Killer Under-the-Radar 2008 Albums
In 2008, the power of the internet is such that it's possible for any album, no matter how strange and/or obscure, to be thrust out of the shadowy underground into the bright lights of pop-cultural popularity. Yet, the sheer, unending, unrelenting volume of record releases means that, each year, many a wondrous work of borderline-genius will fall through the hype-machine's cracks. With 2008 comin…
In 2008, the power of the internet is such that it's possible for any album, no matter how strange and/or obscure, to be thrust out of the shadowy underground into the bright lights of pop-cultural popularity. Yet, the sheer, unending, unrelenting volume of record releases means that, each year, many a wondrous work of borderline-genius will fall through the hype-machine's cracks. With 2008 comin…
Top 10 Breakout Acts of 2008
Every year, a smattering of acts come out of nowhere, releasing unexpected debuts that turn their fanbases from tiny into teeming. Here're the stars of the Class of '08.
Every year, a smattering of acts come out of nowhere, releasing unexpected debuts that turn their fanbases from tiny into teeming. Here're the stars of the Class of '08.
Top 10 Lo-Fi Albums
In the 1980s, the British Phonographic Industry launched a short-sighted, essentially silly campaign against the supposed 'piracy' of music enthusiasts taping LPs onto cassettes for friends. The catchy slogan was "Home Taping Is Killing Music". Nearly 30 years on, and it's clear that home-taping revolutionized music. Not simply in the sharing thereof, but in affording broke, unprofessional musici…
In the 1980s, the British Phonographic Industry launched a short-sighted, essentially silly campaign against the supposed 'piracy' of music enthusiasts taping LPs onto cassettes for friends. The catchy slogan was "Home Taping Is Killing Music". Nearly 30 years on, and it's clear that home-taping revolutionized music. Not simply in the sharing thereof, but in affording broke, unprofessional musici…
Top 10 Merge Albums
Since being minted in 1989, Merge Records has always had the feeling of a label quietly going about its business. Yet, in its history, they've has served up some of the most treasured albums in alternative music’s hard-to-define history. In 2005, when Funeral, the first album by Montréal’s the Arcade Fire, was unleashed unto the world Merge famously only had one PR man on staff; the h…
Since being minted in 1989, Merge Records has always had the feeling of a label quietly going about its business. Yet, in its history, they've has served up some of the most treasured albums in alternative music’s hard-to-define history. In 2005, when Funeral, the first album by Montréal’s the Arcade Fire, was unleashed unto the world Merge famously only had one PR man on staff; the h…
Top 10 Matador Albums
Few record-labels have had an ongoing, unbroken run of pop-cultural credibility like Matador Records. The New Yorker label, in its 20 years on the job, has released an embarrassment of recorded riches. Hitching their wagon, early, to Stephen Malkmus's star, Matador has found much good fortune; not least of all when they stumbled upon one Chan Marshall. Denying an insistent impulse to fill this co…
Few record-labels have had an ongoing, unbroken run of pop-cultural credibility like Matador Records. The New Yorker label, in its 20 years on the job, has released an embarrassment of recorded riches. Hitching their wagon, early, to Stephen Malkmus's star, Matador has found much good fortune; not least of all when they stumbled upon one Chan Marshall. Denying an insistent impulse to fill this co…
Top 10 'Obscure' Starter Albums
Whilst my Top 10 Starters laid out alternative music’s basics, to just stick to the classics isn’t really keeping with the independent spirit. And the musical underground is littered with off-the-beaten track albums every bit as amazing as their more-acclaimed peers. In that spirit, here’s a Top 10 ‘Obscure’ Starter Albums countdown, a …
Whilst my Top 10 Starters laid out alternative music’s basics, to just stick to the classics isn’t really keeping with the independent spirit. And the musical underground is littered with off-the-beaten track albums every bit as amazing as their more-acclaimed peers. In that spirit, here’s a Top 10 ‘Obscure’ Starter Albums countdown, a …
Top 10 Sub Pop Albums
Though it'll be forever associated with grunge, Seattle's legendary Sub Pop Records has reinvented itself in the new millennium, presiding over an eclectic lineup of increasingly-successful acts. Here're 10 picks from the label's first 20 years.
Though it'll be forever associated with grunge, Seattle's legendary Sub Pop Records has reinvented itself in the new millennium, presiding over an eclectic lineup of increasingly-successful acts. Here're 10 picks from the label's first 20 years.
Top 10 Starter Alternative Albums
No self-respecting alternative-minded record-collection should be without these unique, unusual, underground albums. Though they haven't sold half-as-many copies, combined, as Bat Out Of Hell, these records have influenced more bands than could possibly be tallied; their individuality and creativity like a lightning-rod for inspiration. Many may not have been hailed in their day, but time …
No self-respecting alternative-minded record-collection should be without these unique, unusual, underground albums. Though they haven't sold half-as-many copies, combined, as Bat Out Of Hell, these records have influenced more bands than could possibly be tallied; their individuality and creativity like a lightning-rod for inspiration. Many may not have been hailed in their day, but time …