10. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
Wolf Parade is an indie rock group from Montreal, Canada. They combine electronic organ sounds with more traditional guitar riffs. Original singing voice gives this band unique quality, although the same singing voice is used in the more electronic sounding side project Handsome Furs. At Mount Zoomer is the most many-sided album from Wolf Parade. The melodies are quite dark and twisted with massive raising moments. Call It a Ritual is a perfect indie hit with its catchy rhythm. The album ends with massive over ten minutes long Kissing the Beehive, which is a really impressive work of music. The album cover is a bit confusing but in some weird way it illustrates the sound of the album. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Detektivbyrån (detective agency) is a Swedish electronica and folk band that has quite a unique sound in their music. Electric glockenspiel sounds come together with accordion and harmonium. The band only made two albums which is understandable since all the songs are really similar. This is nevertheless like nothing else so if you haven't heard it before it's definitely worth a listen. This band could have possibly created something new if they had added some kind of vocals to this instrumentation, but E18 Album works brilliantly the way it is. This album could have been in the higher position if there would be more variation between the songs. All in all, I recommend you all to listen to this album on Spotify.
Scottish Frightened Rabbit has all the stereotypical features of an indie band. Weird and a bit out of tune singing voice, rising guitar riffs and lo-fi sound. The band is, however, far from unoriginal since it makes such good music. The guitar-riffing is accompanied with folksy strings and more acoustic-sounding instruments. There are some beautiful quiet bits that turn into the biggest sound in the world in a heartbeat. Frightened Rabbit has made many albums but in my opinion this is their best album yet and is a great point to start listening to this band. Fast Blood is probably the greatest moment on the album and in this song you can hear the title of the album as well. The lyrics are as mystical as the cover art, but music is brilliant. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Portishead was one of the great trip hop bands in the 90's but they were on hiatus for many years after their first two albums. The release of a third album in 2008 was a surprising piece of news to me and I didn't know whether they would be as good as before. My doubts were unfounded since the music was at least as good as ever. Third is probably the darkest of the three albums. It's sometimes hard to even listen to the album, because it is so melancholic...yes, even for me it's a bit too much. But for a right mood this album works brilliantly. The haunting feel of Hunter is the highlight of even otherwise brilliant album. Third was ranked as one of the best albums in 2008 in many listings and for a good reason. Listen to the album on Spotify.
6. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Austin based band Okkervil River has made many okay indie albums, but The Stand Ins stands out of the rest. Catchy folk tunes, beautiful ballads and upbeat guitars make an outstanding pop-rock album. The Stand Ins was intended to be the second half of The Stage Names that was to become a double album. Its great album cover even fits together with the cover of The Stage Names. It's a great thing though that The Stand Ins was released separately, because it's a lot better than its predecessor. Lost Coastlines in the beginning and Bruce Wayne Campbell... in the end of the album are the highlights making the listening experience pure enjoyment from the first tunes to the last. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Finnish Kiki Pau's first album is completely different than their third album Pines that was released in 2012. They both are great albums though! Let's Rock is full of excellent catchy rock tunes and upbeat melodies. It's perfect for dancing and having fun. Pines, Going Steady and Weinerei are my favourites on this album but every single song is an instant hit. The release party for this record was held on a tram touring around Helsinki. It's one of the most memorable gigs I've ever been to. The vision test in the cover made the band known in the streets of Helsinki with numerous posters and stickers. Let's Rock cannot be listened to on Spotify but I highly recommend you to find it somewhere, because it's an excellent album. Here's their Last FM page.
Why? is one of the most original sounding bands in the world. This Californian band combines influences from hip hop to inventive sounds and indie rock melodies. I first heard this album in a record store in Tokyo right when it had been released. After listening to it for about ten minutes I marched to the counter and bought the album. Why?'s first albums had even more rap influences and the music has moved towards more familiar indie sounds all the time. Alopecia offers the perfect combination of both genres making it Why?'s best album. Highlights are the opening song Vowels Pt. 2 and indie hit Fatalist Palmistry but the album is full of great songs. The lyrics and the cover art are really peculiar and well worth looking into. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Portland, Oregon has given the world outstanding bands throughout the 00's. Blitzen Trapper's music is a combination of folk sounds and catchy power pop. Even though the cover logo looks like a heavy metal band's logo, music is something completely different. Perfect americana album is full of hits and innovative hooks. It's a shame that other albums by this band are not at the same level with Furr but this album alone is enough to make their music memorable for many years to come. The album kicks off with an outstanding Sleepy Time in the Western World which is one of the best songs of 2008. Black River Killer blooms with Bob Dylan Influences and is a great piece of storytelling. This is a great album for all the fans of americana indie! Listen to the album on Spotify.
Fleet Foxes brought about timeless folk music with their debut album. Fantastic harmonies, skillful guitars and echoes give this album highly original sound that still bears with it something really familiar. You can hear the influences from the 70's and yet there's something new and fresh. You might even say that Fleet Foxes started a new fashion in folk bringing indie folk to the mainstream. Outstanding album cover seals the deal of one of the best albums in 2000's. For personal affection with the no. 1 on this list, Fleet Foxes has to settle for the second place even though it's a shame. Dreamy feel of this album is unique and anyone who hasn't heard this album should immediately correct this wrong and listen to this album on Spotify.
Love, Ire & Song is one of the best albums in the last ten years. The sentiment in the voice of Mr. Turner is quite unique. Even now as I'm listening to the opening track of the album I get shivers down my spine. Folk-punk is a genre that needs many more albums if they're even half as good as this one. The songwriting for this album is brilliant. Lyrics that make you laugh and think combined with catchy and beautiful melodies. Songs like Reasons Not to Be an Idiot, Substitute and Long Live the Queen are perfect examples why everyone should listen to this amazing album. The lyrics tell stories about love, making music, growing up and being disappointed with the politics of your country. Listen to the album on Spotify.
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