Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

Just had an idea: any old stuff?

Im thinking either Loaded or Pink Moon.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Not a huge fan of older stuff, especially with such limited space, but Closer by JD rules.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

So you guys really think Neutral Milk Hotel are going to get someone into indie rock, huh?

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

If someone can't listen to and like King of Carrot Flowers pt 1, Ghost, Holland, 1945, etc, I don't know how they'll like most of the other stuff mentioned here.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
Are people into indie really called hipsters? I know euro uses that term a lot but is it common?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Hipster Handbook will answer all your questions.

the book is actually pretty funny. I condescendinly refer to people as hipsters usually based upon a few things:
1) their stupid dress code to try to look different while all looking the same, especially that hair cut
2) the sad, uninterested/depressed look on their face at all time indicating that they obviously have something better to do and their life really is THAT bad
3) when they want to keep indie music indie- keeping favorite bands secret, etc

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

[ QUOTE ]
So you guys really think Neutral Milk Hotel are going to get someone into indie rock, huh?

[/ QUOTE ]

Of the music I tend to listen to a lot, Carrot Pt 1 and Holland are two of the few that my friends actually like.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

I'm not a "hipster", but from someone who can see from your friend's side of things, the albums that first got me to give indie music a chance were:

The Go Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
The Shins - Oh, Inverted World

and while I happened upon this album later on, I also would throw in The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Go Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike

[/ QUOTE ]

This one is an automatic if he didnt say he liked songwriter stuff more than weird sounds.

Even then, its SOOO good that it deserves consideration imo.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Yeah, that's why I didn't include it.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Being the poster in question I feel the need to add something.
I allready have.
Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
The Shins - Chutes To Narrow
Postal Service - Give Up
Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous
Death Cab For Cutie - We Have The Facts
Bright Eyes - Digital Ash..., and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

And I am Familiar with and like
Radiohead, Pixxies, and Elliot Smith (though I don't have any of them)

As CMI said I'm more a fan of lyrics though I'd like a mix of different things so expirmental sounds is not out of the question. I want OOT to give me a good sample, so by no means should you leave something off the list just cause it's not entirely lyrical. I'm offten suprised by what I like. I am not looking to become a full on "hipster" or anything just looking to expand my musical horizons.

When CMI mentioned the idea of this thread to me, I thought it would have great expansion potential to list, new bands, new websites or labels, so there would be something to link for someone like me an indie noob (hence the tittle Indie Starter Kit).

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Holy Mary mother and [censored] Joseph!!!!

Do half of you even [censored] know what Indie music is? You're all listing bands like Radiohead for Christ's sake.

Here's a tip. Death Cab For Cutie put Plans out on...get ready for it...Atlantic.

Name a [censored] band that's on a goddamned independent label. The biggest label you can name here is going to be Matador. Under that label I'd advise looking at (of course) anything by Pavement. I think Soul Coughing did some early stuff under an independent label. Skinny Puppy under Nettwerk (I'm not an industrial fan, myself). Oh...and my girlfriend strongly suggest I mention VNV Nation's Empires put out under Metropolis.

[censored].

Indie does not equal button up shirt, tight jeans wearing, short spikey hair rock despite what your hipster friends told you!!!

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Sorry duder, 'indie' no longer really means independent label (I think someone mentioned that recently).

Frankly, the closest thing you're going to get to a definition for this type of music is 'covered by pitchfork', which is lame ass Im well aware, but I still cant think of a better description.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

I see we're letting the lunatics run the asylum eh? What the hell. As long as we're leting 18 year old emo dickholes define what means what now, I'm going to start wearing bitch hip hugger jeans, comb what's left of my hair down over my forehead and start a blog.

Mood: lethargic.
Music: I killed myself because I was crying - by Slashed wrists on the lawn.
Clothing: Anything that makes me look gayer than this thread.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

A) Within the OP, indie was put in quotes, indicative of the nebulous nature of the word.

B) Whatever 'indie' means, its pretty clear that on this board there is a consensus (you, and perhaps a few others excluded)

C) allmusic.com uses the word to describe radiohead and death cab

D) Emo blows

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]

B) Whatever 'indie' means, its pretty clear that on this board there is a consensus (you, and perhaps a few others excluded)

[/ QUOTE ]

So let me get this straight. Based on the concensus reached by this forum.

[ QUOTE ]
Death Cab For Cutie

[/ QUOTE ]

Indie includes bands on major labels.

[ QUOTE ]
Pavement

[/ QUOTE ]

Indie includes bands on "independent" labels and albums 10+ years old.

[ QUOTE ]
Surfjan Stevens

[/ QUOTE ]

Indie includes relatively obscure artists (prior to Illinois).

[ QUOTE ]
Radiohead

[/ QUOTE ]

Indie includes bands that have sold more than ten copies of an album.

Ok. I got you now.

To the OP. I would highly recommend these Indie albums to get you started:

Led Zeppelin - IV.
Metallica - Black.
The Beatles - The White Album.
Dr. Dre - The Chronic.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

seems like everyone is going for the latest stuff, just before mainstream stuff, but not on an indie record label either. fair enough.

strokes - is this it should obviously be on this list for someone new. also missing stuff like white stripes - elephant, but probably not hipster enough.

acrade fire seems to be forgot about because the album is a year old.

you guys never ever meantion the arctic monkeys.

or the libertines.

Maximo Park are worth a meantion for the same reason.

shout out louds, and sigur ros

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

Man I'm trying to get into this stuff because I need new music, but I dont' think this is my thing. I absolutely love the Pixies, they are one of my 2 or 3 favorite bands, but I just don't think these other bands are similar. I need my stuff a little harder and more rock and roll than most of this wimpy stuff.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

You seem to be working under the assumption that your opinion on this matter is relevant. I assure you, it is not.

No. It is far more than a twoplustwo consensus. When major music institutions (if you so wish I will link you articles from rollingstone and spin, in addition to allmusic) begin to classify these bands as 'indie' you must realize that that is now the definition the word has taken on.

I get it. Indie kind of sounds like independent. Its cute. But, sadly, thats not what it means anymore.

More information on the blurred lines between indie and maintream can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_(music)

ie: The term "indie" is often used to mean a sound that a musician presents, but when interpreted more literally, it is the way that sound is presented or made. "Indie" often refers to an artist or band that is not part of the mainstream culture and/or making music outside its influence. Though the sound of these bands may differ greatly, the "indie" definition comes from the do-it-yourself attitude and ability to work outside large corporations.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

You mean like this gem?

[ QUOTE ]
The word "indie" is sometimes used as a synonym for alternative, a word which often bears the stigma of being associated with cynically manufactured mass-market teen-rebellion music from major labels.

[/ QUOTE ]

The term "indie" is a lot like Intelligent Design, "n/m", or the re-election of George W. Bush, I'm less concerned with what people think it means, than what it actually does mean.

Then again, I'm not a big fan of things like "new math" or linguistic descriptivism.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
Man I'm trying to get into this stuff because I need new music, but I dont' think this is my thing. I absolutely love the Pixies, they are one of my 2 or 3 favorite bands, but I just don't think these other bands are similar. I need my stuff a little harder and more rock and roll than most of this wimpy stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you see my indie rock thread a while back with my zip file? Maybe you can try that.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

flux,
deal with it. this argument is dumb. it's a word. words evolve. a word is a signifier. what is signified is determined by the perception of the observer. words change.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
You mean like this gem?

[ QUOTE ]
The word "indie" is sometimes used as a synonym for alternative, a word which often bears the stigma of being associated with cynically manufactured mass-market teen-rebellion music from major labels.

[/ QUOTE ]

The term "indie" is a lot like Intelligent Design, "n/m", or the re-election of George W. Bush, I'm less concerned with what people think it means, than what it actually does mean.

Then again, I'm not a big fan of things like "new math" or linguistic descriptivism.

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay, go ahead and list all the "indie" bands you know of. The problem is that you're talking even more arbitrarily than normal genres and the distinction is absolutely useless in terms of describing what the band *sounds* like. Indie came to refer to a bunch of bands that were roughly musically similar or shared some common traits. These apply to pretty much all the bands we listed.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
the distinction is absolutely useless in terms of describing what the band *sounds* like.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL. Yes, yes it is useless in desribing what the band sounds like!!! That's why rational people don't use the term Indie to describe what a band sounds like. They use the term to describe a band on an independent label.

Out of curiosity, what term do you use to describe bands on independent labels, being that indie is already taken?

Also, if you think the four "Indie" bands I quoted above sound musicially similar then you, sir, fail it.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
flux,
deal with it. this argument is dumb. it's a word. words evolve. a word is a signifier. what is signified is determined by the perception of the observer. words change.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Okay, go ahead and list all the "indie" bands you know of. The problem is that you're talking even more arbitrarily than normal genres and the distinction is absolutely useless in terms of describing what the band *sounds* like. Indie came to refer to a bunch of bands that were roughly musically similar or shared some common traits. These apply to pretty much all the bands we listed.

[/ QUOTE ]

These two pretty much sum up my feelings.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
Out of curiosity, what term do you use to describe bands on independent labels, being that indie is already taken?

[/ QUOTE ]

"Band on independent label" sounds good.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
LOL. Yes, yes it is useless in desribing what the band sounds like!!! That's why rational people don't use the term Indie to describe what a band sounds like. They use the term to describe a band on an independent label.

[/ QUOTE ]

You misunderstand me. The size of a label doesn't do a very good job in telling us what the band sounds like. At the very least most of the bands typically given the label "indie" have similar fanbases.

[ QUOTE ]
Out of curiosity, what term do you use to describe bands on independent labels, being that indie is already taken?

[/ QUOTE ]

I describe how they sound like, because it's stupid to designate based on the size of the label. Aside from that, I hardly ever describe any band as indie - it's a broad spectrum, similar to goth music (which has tons of subsets like post-punk, industrial, darkwave, etc).

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

There are a lot of essential albums included in the lists above, so I won't give an entire list. I'll just chime in on some earlier debates and add a couple of suggestions.

Elliot Smith - Either/Or is my selection. XO is amazing, no doubt. But Either/Or is catchier as a whole, a much better starter album. Plus, as CMI stated, it has "Say Yes" and that is enough.

Modest Mouse - Lonesome Crowded West. I'm guessing someone who wants to get into Indie rock has listened to them. Their older stuff is an absolute must and this is the cream of it.

Pretty Girls Make Graves - Good Health. No reason, other than I am fascinated with this album. A little harder than most singer/songwriter material.

Arcade Fire - Funeral. I don't see how this isn't on everyone's list. Along with YFH, Illinois, and Aeroplane, I'd think this would be an almost universal choice.

Spoon has to be in there somewhere. I prefer Series of Sneaks if the Laffitte songs are included. Otherwise Kill the Moonlight is the choice.

I'll lay off of my New Pornographers and National fetishes for now because they are not really starter bands. Also, Radiohead should be considered above Indie status.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

www.questionablecontent.net may have usable recommendations (and is a pretty damn good webcomic, too).

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

anyone,

Given this criteria name me 3 or 4 albums I might like and give me a few words on why. If it's possible.

Some favorite well known bands: Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Doors, The Who, Cream, Deep Purple, ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Iron Maiden. I also like bluesy rock such as Eric Clapton's non-sucky solo stuff, Johnny Winter. I like well done guitar solos. Most rock from mid 60's to early 70's. I like progressive rock that isn't soft and wimpy.

Dislikes: Whiney stuff. Female vocales. Most modern acoustic focused music. Modern pop-ish music. "Goth"ish for lack of a better term. Rap. EMO MUST DIE. Anything remotely close to emo will make me hate you.

Help me if you can.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

well, [censored]! I was gonna suggest sleater-kinney as that's probably the closest thing to anything bluesy or classic rock that I listen to, but it's got female vocals. also, they're one of my favorite bands.

[censored], I give up, most indie rock is really just [censored] masquerading as pop music to be honest.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
So you guys really think Neutral Milk Hotel are going to get someone into indie rock, huh?

[/ QUOTE ]

CMI can correct me if I'm wrong but I think a major factor in adding them. Is that I had asked him for some NMH stuff in the "recomend me ANY music" thread when he talked of his 15+ concert collection of theirs.

They seem to be highly recomended by CMI, and Madtown. Which is what got me interested in hearing some of that concert stuff. So since it got this thread started I would expect nothing less.

To better clarify this whole thing. I will make a long story less-long.
I used to work in a record store and was very informed in many different genre's/sounds.
For several reasons (one of which being I've been in the theater buisness for the past 5 years, another being a relationship with someone who didn't understand why someone would continue to expand a music collection that she thought was already too big) I lost my connection to music in general, and my desire to try many different "tastes".
So one night a while ago I looked at my collection and realized there wasn't a damn thing I really wanted to listen to, and it's not a small collection, nothing spoke to me, if that makes sense.
The radio plays (mostly) overproduced junk.
So I got into a few different bands (the ones listed in my previous post in this thread and a few more) based on recomendations of freinds more up to date (including finnally picking up the "Garden State soundtrack") and have started to enjoy music again.
I want to keep this going, and some posters here listed some things I have liked along with much I had not heard. Thus my request for an "Indie Starter Kit".
I also think it will be good (as I think I said before) to have some place I can link people to when asked where to start if they're looking for Indie.

[Disclaimer] I understand that music is subjective. I used to play music (but it was not my talent). I listen to a lot of different things, and will continue to. I'm not looking for Gospel on the matter. Just some sugestions for someone who's been out of the loop. I don't care about how many people know the bands name, or what label they're on, it's not about becoming a music snob or anything else to me. I'm not looking to pick a fight, just wanted some opinions since I've really been enjoying the "indie" genre recently [/Disclaimer]

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
Given this criteria name me 3 or 4 albums I might like and give me a few words on why. If it's possible.

I like well done guitar solos....

Help me if you can.

[/ QUOTE ]

Two Words:
Dream Theater

I don't know if you just didn't mention them because their not as well known or because you've never listened to them. The vocals are a bit operatic (don't know if that knocks it out as a "female vocale") but the guitar solo's will melt your face off. As far as purely technical musical skill goes I think each of these guys is in the top .05% of musicians for their particular istrument. If you don't like the vocals the guitarist and some other great musicians (including others from DT) have done side projects such as "Liquid Tension Expiriment" and "Explorers Club" which are also both fantastic and have very little vocals at all.
Dream Theater is simply the top of progressive rock IMHO, esspescially along the lines of heavier progressive rock. My sugestion (which others may agree or not) is Metropollis 2: Scenes From A Memory, a few of your favorite drinks, and just sit and enjoy the whole album with no interuption.
Images And Words, and A Change Of Seasons are also great but Metropollis is a full story in an album.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Excellent suggestion but I'm already a casual DT fan. I do really need to get more of their albums though. I've got both Liquid Tension Experiment CDs. I'll see if I can find Explorers Club. The vocals are no problem at all. I don't really know why I can't handle most female vocalists when two of my favs are Geddy Lee and Jon Anderson. Must be some weird mental thing.

I didn't think DT would really be considered Indie though.

jack: heh, I figured it would be pretty hard to think of anything. What's usually described as indie certainly isn't my style, but I was wondering if I was missing out on something I might enjoy.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

edited [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Euro, this time it just felt like you were trying too hard.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
Euro, this time it just felt like you were trying too hard.

[/ QUOTE ]


very ouch, Sam. what can I say, though? I rly just typed what was on my mind.

I had my reservations about making it so long-winded, figuring it would draw exactly the kind of comment you made. i guess it's time to hang up the cleats.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Oh well, you had a very good run.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry euro)
 

[ QUOTE ]
edited [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I was just about to chime in, saying this is perhaps my favourite post of all time.... and you delete it????????

Sam is WAY OFF... that is genius

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

Yeah I don't think it warranted deletion, definitely worth getting more opinions.

Re: Official Indie Starter Kit Thread (Calling all hipsters... sorry e
 

[ QUOTE ]
Either/Or is more accessible? wha?

[/ QUOTE ]
I can AIM any of his cds to whoever wants them. PM me