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

[Soul Daddy]

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.