Indie
Noah’s Barks pages relating to the indie music genre. Combine with other tags for subgenres, e.g. “indie+rock,” “indie+pop,” or “indie+electronic.”
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Sleater-Kinney – “No Cities to Love” (2015)
The induction of post-punk rhythms into Sleater-Kinney’s sound makes ‘No Cities to Love’ a very hoppin’ affair, and something being more dance-y is always better. (read more)
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The Jesus and Mary Chain Retrospective
(Original publication date unknown) We all know Psychocandy, the landmark album to introduce writing songs with noise. Yeah, The Velvet Underground were one of the first to use noise feedback in their songs, but they used it in a more abrasive manner, writing songs around the noise, where The Jesus and Mary Chain (JaMC) chose to work… (read more)
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Cults – “Cults”
Goddamn, when are Cults gonna pick up that telephone that’s ringing in the background of every song? Must be lawyers chasing them for copying Phil Spector‘s production. It’s a neat gimmick that makes up for the fact that Cults write such generic songs. Outside of “Never Heal Yourself,” “Bumper,” and “Abduction,” there’s nothing particularly notable… (read more)
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Camera Obscura – “Let’s Get Out of This Country”
Thank you, Camera Obscura, for giving me “If Looks Could Kill.” I haven’t heard such a blissfully perfect pop song since… I don’t even remember. But it’s been my most played song since giving Let’s Get Out of This Country a shot. Sometimes, I like to pretend I’m a man above being charmed by twee… (read more)
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Two Door Cinema Club – “Tourist History” (2010)
Tourist History is a fun little album but entirely a one-trick pony. At least Two Door Cinema Club has the sense to cut it at 30 minutes, making the album work as a short blast of energy. The band could benefit greatly from a vocalist with more guts. A lot of these club rhythms could… (read more)
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Fever to Tell” (2003)
Rebellious girl rock is such a great concept with me, so why do I have the damndest time finding any I truly can’t resist? On Fever to Tell, Yeah Yeah Yeahs sound like X-Ray Spex with less balls. Fortunately, they use that extra space to get their groove on with some repetitive dance rhythms; but there’s never… (read more)
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TV on the Radio – “Nine Types of Light” (2011)
I love Dear Science for taking post-punk the closest to the dance floor it’s ever been, as well as just being a great update of R&B-inspired rock, but that’s not enough for me to call myself a TV on the Radio fan. Return to Cookie Mountain didn’t impress me much, so I tested my loyalty by going on to… (read more)
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Guided by Voices – “Tonics & Twisted Chasers”
Tonics & Twisted Chasers is an oft-forgotten Guided by Voices album, but it isn’t due to its quality. The album was originally a fan club-exclusive release and although it’s been reissued since, finding a copy is still difficult. It’s natural to assume that this is a collection of bland, “throwaway” songs for hardcore fans, but… (read more)
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Moscow Olympics – “Cut the World” (2008)
Cut the World is modern, jangly, dreamy, twee pop reminiscent of similar-sounding ’80s indie pop bands, particularly The Wake. Seriously! If you like this, listen to Something That No One Else Could Bring, it’s practically the same thing (but better). Though derivative, Cut the World does that scene justice. Every song is good, and what it lacks… (read more)
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The Wake – “Make It Loud” (1990)
If you’re looking at Make It Loud, it’s because you loved Here Comes Everybody and/or Something That No One Else Could Bring and wanted to know if later efforts by The Wake continue in their style and quality. You might see the poor reception and assume not, but you want to be sure. Well, your assumption would be right.… (read more)