The Best Alternative & Indie Albums
Guitar music that pulled away from the mainstream and rewrote it.
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1NevermindNirvana
Nevermind
The record that dragged underground rock into the mainstream overnight, marrying punk energy to pop hooks and Butch Vig's clean production. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is the calling card, but the album runs deep. Its impact on the 1990s is impossible to overstate.
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2OK ComputerRadiohead
OK Computer
A prescient album about alienation in a wired, accelerating world, expanding rock with electronics, odd time signatures and dread. 'Paranoid Android' and 'No Surprises' anchor a record that still sounds like the future arriving. Frequently named among the greatest ever made.
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3Kid ARadiohead
Kid A
Radiohead abandon guitars-first rock for electronics, jazz textures and abstraction, alienating some fans and inspiring countless others. Cold on the surface, it reveals deep feeling underneath. A brave swerve that defined their second act.
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4Is This ItThe Strokes
Is This It
The lean, effortless debut that sparked the 2000s garage-rock revival, all taut riffs and detached cool. Short and near-perfect, it influenced a generation of guitar bands. Still sounds fresh.
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5Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm NotArctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
A whip-smart, fast-selling debut of witty Sheffield character sketches and taut guitars. Sharp and vital. A defining 2000s British record.
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6AMArctic Monkeys
AM
A sleek, hip-hop-influenced reinvention of heavy riffs and falsetto hooks. Cool and huge. Their biggest crossover record.
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7(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?
The Britpop blockbuster that made Oasis a generational band, packed with singalong anthems from 'Wonderwall' to 'Champagne Supernova'. Huge and confident. A defining 90s UK record.
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8Definitely MaybeOasis
Definitely Maybe
A swaggering debut of rock'n'roll dreams and wall-of-sound guitars, instantly iconic in Britain. Raw and euphoric. The sound of a band announcing itself.
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9Different ClassPulp
Different Class
Sharp, witty Britpop with class politics and kitchen-sink drama, peaking on 'Common People'. Clever and danceable. Jarvis Cocker's finest hour.
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10ParklifeBlur
Parklife
The album that defined Britpop's wry, observational English pop, bursting with hooks and character sketches. Playful and sharp. A 90s landmark.
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11Automatic for the PeopleR.E.M.
Automatic for the People
A hushed, autumnal masterpiece of strings and reflection, home to 'Everybody Hurts' and 'Nightswimming'. Their most emotionally resonant record. Beautiful and enduring.
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12DoolittlePixies
Doolittle
The quiet-loud-quiet template that Nirvana and countless others borrowed, packed with surreal lyrics and razor hooks. Tight, strange and hugely influential. The essential Pixies record.
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13The Stone RosesThe Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
A debut that fused indie jangle with dancefloor groove and defined Madchester. Effortlessly cool. One of the great British albums.
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14LovelessMy Bloody Valentine
Loveless
The defining shoegaze album, a wall of bent, gliding guitars and buried melody that took years and a fortune to make. Immersive and singular, it has never really been matched. Best played loud on headphones.
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15Slanted and EnchantedPavement
Slanted and Enchanted
A scrappy, brilliant lo-fi debut that defined 90s indie cool. Loose and tuneful. Hugely influential.
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16FuneralArcade Fire
Funeral
A grand, cathartic debut about grief and neighbourhood memory that helped define 2000s indie. The arrangements swell and crest with real emotion. One of the decade's most beloved records.
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17ElephantThe White Stripes
Elephant
Raw, primal blues-rock recorded fast and cheap, exploding on 'Seven Nation Army'. Stripped to guitar, drums and voice, it hits hard. A garage-rock landmark.
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18CurrentsTame Impala
Currents
The pivot from psych-rock to glossy synth-pop, introspective and danceable. 'Let It Happen' anchors it. A crossover triumph.
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19The BendsRadiohead
The Bends
The album where Radiohead became great, full of soaring, emotional guitar songs like 'Fake Plastic Trees' and 'Street Spirit'. More immediate than what followed, it is the warmest entry in their catalogue. An ideal starting point.
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20In RainbowsRadiohead
In Rainbows
A warm, intimate masterpiece released by pay-what-you-want, balancing electronics and emotion. Beautiful and acclaimed. Many fans' favourite.
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21In UteroNirvana
In Utero
Raw, abrasive and uncompromising, the band's response to sudden fame, recorded with Steve Albini for maximum bite. Beneath the noise are some of Cobain's strongest melodies. A harrowing, honest record.
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22MTV Unplugged in New YorkNirvana
MTV Unplugged in New York
A hushed, haunting acoustic set that revealed the band's tenderness, recorded months before Cobain's death. Intimate and poignant. A beloved farewell.
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23Modern Life Is RubbishBlur
Modern Life Is Rubbish
The album where Blur found their English voice, a witty riposte to grunge. Tuneful and sharp. The blueprint for Britpop.
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24The Great EscapeBlur
The Great Escape
A lavish, satirical peak of character-driven Britpop. Clever and tuneful. A snapshot of mid-90s Britain.
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25BlurBlur
Blur
A lo-fi, American-indie-inspired reinvention, home to 'Song 2'. Looser and rawer. A bold pivot away from Britpop.
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26This Is HardcorePulp
This Is Hardcore
A dark, cinematic comedown from Britpop fame, seedy and ambitious. Bold and acclaimed. A brave follow-up to Different Class.
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27Siamese DreamThe Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream
Layered, cathartic alt-rock balancing crushing guitars with fragile melody. Ambitious and emotional. A defining 90s record.
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28Mellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessThe Smashing Pumpkins
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
A sprawling double album of grandeur and angst, ranging from delicate to ferocious. Maximalist and beloved. Their most ambitious statement.
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29OdelayBeck
Odelay
A genre-blending collage of folk, hip-hop, blues and noise produced with the Dust Brothers. Restless, witty and fun. A defining 90s record.
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30Daydream NationSonic Youth
Daydream Nation
A double album of tuned-down guitar epics, balancing noise and melody at the band's peak. Sprawling and influential. An alt-rock cornerstone.
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31DisintegrationThe Cure
Disintegration
A vast, immersive plunge into gothic gloom and beauty, anchored by 'Pictures of You' and 'Lovesong'. Widely considered the band's masterpiece. Best experienced as one long, enveloping mood.
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32MurmurR.E.M.
Murmur
A murky, jangling debut that helped invent American college rock, lyrics half-buried and atmosphere thick. Mysterious and influential. The start of something.
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33ScreamadelicaPrimal Scream
Screamadelica
The album where indie rock dissolved into acid house and gospel euphoria, capturing the rave era. Joyful and pioneering. A genre-blurring classic.
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34Surfer RosaPixies
Surfer Rosa
A raw, Albini-recorded debut album of jagged dynamics and surreal menace that influenced a generation. Visceral and strange. Essential alt-rock.
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35Favourite Worst NightmareArctic Monkeys
Favourite Worst Nightmare
A faster, heavier follow-up of frantic energy and sharp writing. Tight and confident. A strong second record.
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36Up the BracketThe Libertines
Up the Bracket
A ramshackle, romantic debut of scrappy British guitar rock. Raw and influential. A defining 2000s record.
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37Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
A sharp, danceable art-rock debut built for the floor, home to 'Take Me Out'. Angular and fun. A 2000s landmark.
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38Fever to TellYeah Yeah Yeahs
Fever to Tell
A raw, electric debut of garage-punk swagger and unexpected tenderness on 'Maps'. Wild and heartfelt. A 2000s landmark.
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39Turn on the Bright LightsInterpol
Turn on the Bright Lights
A sleek, melancholic debut reviving post-punk for the 2000s, all taut guitars and shadow. Atmospheric and assured. A defining record of its scene.
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40BoxerThe National
Boxer
Slow-burning, literate indie rock built on Berninger's baritone and intricate drumming. Understated and rewarding. The album that won them devotion.
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41High VioletThe National
High Violet
Lush, melancholic and immaculately crafted, their commercial breakthrough. Anthemic in a restrained way. A modern indie staple.
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42Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
A bright, preppy debut blending Afropop guitars with witty literate pop. Fresh and instantly likeable. The start of a great run.
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43Modern Vampires of the CityVampire Weekend
Modern Vampires of the City
A leap into ambition and depth, full of intricate production and questions of faith and time. Their richest record. Widely acclaimed.
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44InnerSpeakerTame Impala
InnerSpeaker
A warm, psychedelic guitar debut of swirling retro textures. Hazy and assured. The start of Parker's run.
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45LonerismTame Impala
Lonerism
Woozy, psychedelic pop built almost entirely by Kevin Parker, dense and dreamlike. Inventive and warm. A modern psych landmark.
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46Sound of SilverLCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver
Dance-punk with genuine heart, balancing irony and real feeling on 'All My Friends' and 'Someone Great'. Smart, propulsive and emotional. A defining record of its decade.
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47The Moon & AntarcticaModest Mouse
The Moon & Antarctica
An expansive, philosophical indie peak of jagged beauty. Ambitious and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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48Oh, Inverted WorldThe Shins
Oh, Inverted World
A jangly, lo-fi indie-pop debut of bittersweet melody. Charming and beloved. A 2000s favourite.
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49Yankee Hotel FoxtrotWilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
An adventurous blend of Americana and studio experimentation, famously rejected then revered. Beautiful and restless. Their masterpiece.
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50xxThe xx
xx
A spare, intimate debut of whispered vocals and minimal guitar. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A striking, influential arrival.
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51LungsFlorence + the Machine
Lungs
A dramatic, baroque-pop debut of huge voice and harp. Bold and beloved. A breakthrough.
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52An Awesome Wavealt-J
An Awesome Wave
A quirky, intricate indie debut of folk, electronics and odd harmony. Distinctive and acclaimed. A Mercury-winning breakout.
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53The 1975The 1975
The 1975
A glossy, sprawling debut blending pop, rock and 80s textures. Tuneful and huge. Their breakthrough.
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54DogrelFontaines D.C.
Dogrel
A vivid, literate post-punk debut of Dublin energy. Sharp and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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55PunisherPhoebe Bridgers
Punisher
A hushed, devastating indie-folk record of wit and dread, building to the cathartic 'I Know the End'. Intimate and acclaimed. A defining album of its moment.
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56The Boatman's CallNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
The Boatman's Call
A hushed, piano-led record of heartbreak and faith, a stark turn toward intimacy. Beautiful and acclaimed. His most personal.
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57Weezer (Blue Album)Weezer
Weezer (Blue Album)
A power-pop debut of crunchy guitars and geeky charm, hook after hook. Instantly likeable. A 90s alt-rock staple.
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58PinkertonWeezer
Pinkerton
Raw, confessional and abrasive, panned on release and later revered as a cult classic. Painfully honest. A grower that became beloved.
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59DookieGreen Day
Dookie
A snotty, hook-laden pop-punk blockbuster that took the genre mainstream. Fast and fun. A 90s landmark.
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60American IdiotGreen Day
American Idiot
An ambitious punk-rock opera of post-9/11 anger. Anthemic and huge. Their commercial and creative peak.
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61AmnesiacRadiohead
Amnesiac
A companion to Kid A of fractured electronics and jazz, more abstract still. Cold and rewarding. A grower among fans.
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62Hail to the ThiefRadiohead
Hail to the Thief
A sprawling, politically tinged blend of rock and electronics. Dense and varied. An underrated entry.
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63A Moon Shaped PoolRadiohead
A Moon Shaped Pool
A lush, string-laden late peak of melancholy and beauty. Gorgeous and acclaimed. A graceful record.
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6413Blur
13
A more experimental, emotional turn shaped by heartbreak and Eno-esque texture. Adventurous and raw. A favourite among devotees.
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65His 'n' HersPulp
His 'n' Hers
The album where Pulp's witty, sexual kitchen-sink pop crystallised. Sharp and tuneful. A breakthrough.
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66SuedeSuede
Suede
A glam-tinged debut that helped kick off Britpop. Dramatic and influential. A vital arrival.
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67Urban HymnsThe Verve
Urban Hymns
A lush, string-laden peak of 90s British rock, anchored by 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'. Anthemic and melancholic. Their defining record.
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68Everything Must GoManic Street Preachers
Everything Must Go
A soaring, anthemic comeback after tragedy. Emotional and huge. Their commercial peak.
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69Sea ChangeBeck
Sea Change
A stark, gorgeous break-up album of orchestrated melancholy, far from his playful collages. Honest and moving. His most affecting record.
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70Mellow GoldBeck
Mellow Gold
A scrappy, genre-mashing breakthrough, home to 'Loser'. Quirky and fun. A 90s slacker landmark.
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71White Blood CellsThe White Stripes
White Blood Cells
The breakthrough that distilled their sound to its purest, urgent and tuneful. Lean and exciting throughout. The album that made them stars.
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72BrothersThe Black Keys
Brothers
A soulful, fuzzy blues-rock breakthrough, home to 'Tighten Up'. Gritty and huge. Their commercial peak.
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73Room on FireThe Strokes
Room on Fire
A tight, confident follow-up that refined the debut's formula. Sharp and tuneful. A strong second record.
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74Only by the NightKings of Leon
Only by the Night
A widescreen, arena-sized peak, home to 'Sex on Fire' and 'Use Somebody'. Polished and huge. Their commercial breakthrough.
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75The SuburbsArcade Fire
The Suburbs
A sprawling, Grammy-winning meditation on suburban memory. Ambitious and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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76Neon BibleArcade Fire
Neon Bible
A darker, grander follow-up to Funeral of organ-swelled anxiety. Bold and acclaimed. A strong second act.
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77Hot FussThe Killers
Hot Fuss
A glossy, new-wave-indebted debut full of huge hooks, from 'Mr. Brightside' on. Instantly catchy. A 2000s staple.
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78Silent AlarmBloc Party
Silent Alarm
A taut, danceable post-punk debut of jittery guitars and urgency. Sharp and exciting. A mid-2000s indie cornerstone.
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79Holy FireFoals
Holy Fire
A muscular, groove-driven indie-rock peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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80Oracular SpectacularMGMT
Oracular Spectacular
A psychedelic synth-pop debut of inescapable hits like 'Kids' and 'Time to Pretend'. Bright and beloved. A 2000s landmark.
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81Trouble Will Find MeThe National
Trouble Will Find Me
A refined, melancholic peak of literate indie rock. Understated and acclaimed. A fan favourite.
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82Agaetis byrjunSigur Rós
Agaetis byrjun
An ethereal, glacial breakthrough of bowed guitar and falsetto, otherworldly and beautiful. Immersive and singular. The album that made them famous.
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83Merriweather Post PavilionAnimal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion
A blissful, sample-swirled experimental-pop peak, home to 'My Girls'. Adventurous and beloved. Their masterpiece.
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84VeckatimestGrizzly Bear
Veckatimest
A lush, intricate indie-folk peak of harmony and arrangement. Beautiful and acclaimed. Their finest.
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85Salad DaysMac DeMarco
Salad Days
A woozy, laid-back indie record of slacker charm. Mellow and beloved. A defining lo-fi-pop record.
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86Be the CowboyMitski
Be the Cowboy
A sharp, theatrical art-pop record of compressed emotion and stylistic range. Inventive and acclaimed. Her breakthrough.
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87U.F.O.F.Big Thief
U.F.O.F.
A hushed, mysterious indie-folk peak of intimate beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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88Lost in the DreamThe War on Drugs
Lost in the Dream
A widescreen, heartland-indie peak of motorik drift and emotion. Lush and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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89A Ghost Is BornWilco
A Ghost Is Born
A noisier, more experimental follow-up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Bold and Grammy-winning. A challenging peak.
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90Ga Ga Ga Ga GaSpoon
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
A taut, soulful indie-rock peak of rhythmic precision. Sharp and beloved. Their finest.
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91I Can Hear the Heart Beating as OneYo La Tengo
I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
A warm, eclectic indie landmark of noise and tenderness. Beloved and acclaimed. A cornerstone.
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92In the Aeroplane Over the SeaNeutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
A raw, surreal folk-rock album of fuzzy horns and oblique imagery that became a cult phenomenon. Intense and beloved. Utterly singular.
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93Keep It Like a SecretBuilt to Spill
Keep It Like a Secret
A melodic, guitar-driven indie peak of expansive songcraft. Warm and beloved. Their finest.
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94TransatlanticismDeath Cab for Cutie
Transatlanticism
A lush, yearning indie-rock record about distance and longing, anchored by its title epic. Emotional and beloved. Their defining album.
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95I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningBright Eyes
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
A literate, folk-leaning peak of emotional indie songwriting. Earnest and acclaimed. Conor Oberst's breakthrough.
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96Moon PixCat Power
Moon Pix
A haunted, intimate indie-folk peak of fragile beauty. Singular and acclaimed. Her finest.
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97Rid of MePJ Harvey
Rid of Me
A raw, abrasive Albini-recorded peak of fury and desire. Visceral and acclaimed. A landmark.
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98To Bring You My LovePJ Harvey
To Bring You My Love
A dramatic, bluesy art-rock peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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99Let England ShakePJ Harvey
Let England Shake
A haunting, war-themed art-rock peak. Bold and Mercury-winning. A late masterpiece.
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100SouvlakiSlowdive
Souvlaki
A gorgeous shoegaze landmark of drifting guitar and melody. Dreamy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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101NowhereRide
Nowhere
A swirling shoegaze debut of melody and wall-of-sound guitar. Dreamy and acclaimed. A genre classic.
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102Heaven or Las VegasCocteau Twins
Heaven or Las Vegas
A luminous dream-pop peak of ethereal vocals and chiming guitar. Beautiful and beloved. Their masterpiece.
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103PsychocandyThe Jesus and Mary Chain
Psychocandy
A landmark of feedback-drenched pop, melody buried in noise. Influential and thrilling. A genre cornerstone.
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104You're Living All Over MeDinosaur Jr.
You're Living All Over Me
A loud, melodic alt-rock landmark of guitar squall and ennui. Raw and influential. Their finest.
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105Zen ArcadeHüsker Dü
Zen Arcade
A sprawling, ambitious hardcore-into-melody double album. Bold and influential. A genre landmark.
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106Let It BeThe Replacements
Let It Be
A scrappy, heartfelt peak balancing punk and tenderness. Raw and beloved. Their masterpiece.
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107RepeaterFugazi
Repeater
A taut, principled post-hardcore landmark of tension and melody. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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108BossanovaPixies
Bossanova
A surf-and-space-rock peak of sharp invention. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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109GooSonic Youth
Goo
A sharp, accessible major-label peak of melodic noise. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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110PornographyThe Cure
Pornography
A bleak, claustrophobic goth landmark of despair. Dark and acclaimed. A pivotal record.
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111The Head on the DoorThe Cure
The Head on the Door
A bright, accessible pop peak balancing gloom and hooks. Tuneful and beloved. A turning point.
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112Pablo HoneyRadiohead
Pablo Honey
A raw debut best known for 'Creep'. Tuneful and earnest. A modest start before greatness.
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113DocumentR.E.M.
Document
A sharper, political peak, home to 'It's the End of the World as We Know It'. Tuneful and huge. Their breakthrough.
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114Out of TimeR.E.M.
Out of Time
A lush, eclectic blockbuster, home to 'Losing My Religion'. Tuneful and enormous. Their commercial peak.
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115ReckoningR.E.M.
Reckoning
A bright, jangly early peak of Southern mystery. Tuneful and beloved. A college-rock cornerstone.
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116New Adventures in Hi-FiR.E.M.
New Adventures in Hi-Fi
A sprawling, road-recorded late peak. Bold and acclaimed. A fan favourite.
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117AdoreThe Smashing Pumpkins
Adore
A hushed, electronic-leaning turn after Mellon Collie. Reflective and underrated. A brave pivot.
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118DirtySonic Youth
Dirty
A loud, accessible peak of melodic noise-rock. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong major-label record.
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119SisterSonic Youth
Sister
A tense, melodic noise-rock landmark. Influential and acclaimed. A cornerstone of their run.
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120Trompe le MondePixies
Trompe le Monde
A heavier, denser final album of the original run. Sharp and beloved. A strong close.
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121GueroBeck
Guero
A return to genre-mashing collage with the Dust Brothers. Fun and varied. A strong mid-career record.
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122First Impressions of EarthThe Strokes
First Impressions of Earth
A denser, more ambitious third album. Bold and varied. A divisive record.
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123The New AbnormalThe Strokes
The New Abnormal
A polished, melodic comeback. Tuneful and Grammy-winning. A worthy return.
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124HumbugArctic Monkeys
Humbug
A darker, heavier desert-rock pivot. Bold and acclaimed. A turning point.
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125Tranquility Base Hotel & CasinoArctic Monkeys
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
A divisive lounge-and-piano reinvention, conceptual and wry. Bold and acclaimed. A brave left turn.
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126The CarArctic Monkeys
The Car
A lush, orchestral continuation of their crooner phase. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A mature record.
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127The Slow RushTame Impala
The Slow Rush
A glossy synth-pop peak about time and change. Polished and acclaimed. A strong follow-up to Currents.
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128Father of the BrideVampire Weekend
Father of the Bride
A sprawling, sunny double album of eclectic pop craft. Warm and Grammy-winning. A creative peak.
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129AlligatorThe National
Alligator
A tense, literate breakthrough of slow-building indie rock. Sharp and beloved. The album that made them.
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130Sleep Well BeastThe National
Sleep Well Beast
A textured, electronic-leaning peak. Bold and Grammy-winning. A creative high.
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131AnticsInterpol
Antics
A sharper, hookier follow-up to the debut. Tuneful and assured. A strong second record.
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132It's Blitz!Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It's Blitz!
A synth-driven dance-rock reinvention, home to 'Heads Will Roll'. Bright and acclaimed. A bold pivot.
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133Sam's TownThe Killers
Sam's Town
A grandiose, Springsteen-indebted second album of heartland anthems. Ambitious and big. A fan favourite.
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134Tourist HistoryTwo Door Cinema Club
Tourist History
A bright, danceable indie-pop debut. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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135DreamlandGlass Animals
Dreamland
A glossy, intimate psych-pop record, home to the slow-burning smash 'Heat Waves'. Smooth and huge. Their breakthrough.
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136I Like It When You Sleep...The 1975
I Like It When You Sleep...
A sprawling, ambitious pop-rock peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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137A Brief Inquiry into Online RelationshipsThe 1975
A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships
An ambitious, genre-hopping meditation on the digital age. Bold and acclaimed. Their most acclaimed record.
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138Visions of a LifeWolf Alice
Visions of a Life
A dynamic, shapeshifting rock peak. Bold and Mercury-winning. Their finest.
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139Joy as an Act of ResistanceIDLES
Joy as an Act of Resistance
A cathartic, compassionate post-punk peak of fury and vulnerability. Loud and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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140BrutalismIDLES
Brutalism
A furious, visceral post-punk debut. Loud and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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141Skinty FiaFontaines D.C.
Skinty Fia
A darker, atmospheric peak of brooding post-punk. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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142Nonagon InfinityKing Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Nonagon Infinity
A relentless, looping psych-rock landmark designed to never stop. Wild and beloved. A fan favourite.
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143Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just SitCourtney Barnett
Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
A witty, deadpan indie-rock debut of sharp observation. Charming and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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144Puberty 2Mitski
Puberty 2
A raw, inventive indie-rock peak of compressed emotion. Sharp and acclaimed. A defining record.
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145Two HandsBig Thief
Two Hands
A raw, earthy companion to U.F.O.F. of live-band intimacy. Powerful and acclaimed. A standout.
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146JubileeJapanese Breakfast
Jubilee
A lush, joyful indie-pop peak of orchestral warmth. Bright and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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147Teen DreamBeach House
Teen Dream
Gauzy, gorgeous dream-pop of organ, slide guitar and reverb. Hypnotic and warm. The album that defined their sound.
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148BloomBeach House
Bloom
A lush, immersive dream-pop peak of widescreen beauty. Hypnotic and beloved. Their finest.
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149St. VincentSt. Vincent
St. Vincent
A jagged, art-pop peak of guitar fireworks and wit. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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150MasseductionSt. Vincent
Masseduction
A glossy, dark art-pop record of fame and desire. Sharp and acclaimed. A standout.
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151This Is HappeningLCD Soundsystem
This Is Happening
A wry, danceable peak of emotional dance-punk. Sharp and beloved. A strong send-off (for a while).
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152American DreamLCD Soundsystem
American Dream
A reflective, age-aware comeback of dance-rock craft. Bold and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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153ReflektorArcade Fire
Reflektor
A sprawling, dance-influenced double album produced with James Murphy. Ambitious and varied. A bold experiment.
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154Total Life ForeverFoals
Total Life Forever
A textured, dynamic indie peak. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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155SpiderlandSlint
Spiderland
A quiet, eerie, hugely influential record that effectively invented post-rock. Tense and singular. A cult landmark.
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156Young TeamMogwai
Young Team
A dynamic post-rock debut of quiet-loud crescendos. Powerful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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157Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to HeavenGodspeed You! Black Emperor
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
A monumental post-rock double album of orchestral crescendo. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre landmark.
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158The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead PlaceExplosions in the Sky
The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
A soaring, emotional post-rock landmark of wordless drama. Cinematic and beloved. A genre favourite.
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159Takk...Sigur Rós
Takk...
Warmer and more melodic than its predecessors, soaring and cinematic. Uplifting and grand. A post-rock high point.
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160Halcyon DigestDeerhunter
Halcyon Digest
A dreamy, melodic art-rock peak of hazy beauty. Inventive and acclaimed. Their finest.
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161Strawberry JamAnimal Collective
Strawberry Jam
A vivid, hook-laden experimental-pop peak. Inventive and acclaimed. A high point.
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162All MirrorsAngel Olsen
All Mirrors
A dramatic, orchestral art-rock peak of swelling emotion. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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163Murder BalladsNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Murder Ballads
A darkly funny collection of violent narratives, home to a famous Kylie duet. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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164Skeleton TreeNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Skeleton Tree
A devastating record shadowed by personal tragedy, sparse and raw. Haunting and acclaimed. A profound work.
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165GhosteenNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Ghosteen
An ambient, grief-soaked double album of transcendent sorrow. Beautiful and acclaimed. A late masterpiece.
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166Seventeen SecondsThe Cure
Seventeen Seconds
A spare, atmospheric early peak. Moody and acclaimed. A turning point.
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167Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss MeThe Cure
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
A sprawling, eclectic double album, home to 'Just Like Heaven'. Varied and beloved. A high point.
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168WishThe Cure
Wish
A lush, commercial peak, home to 'Friday I'm in Love'. Tuneful and huge. Their biggest record.
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169DarklandsThe Jesus and Mary Chain
Darklands
A cleaner, melodic follow-up to Psychocandy. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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170TreasureCocteau Twins
Treasure
A shimmering, otherworldly dream-pop peak of invented language. Beautiful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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171Isn't AnythingMy Bloody Valentine
Isn't Anything
A noisy, woozy debut that laid the shoegaze groundwork. Raw and influential. A genre origin point.
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172m b vMy Bloody Valentine
m b v
A long-awaited sequel to Loveless that picked up where it left off. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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173SlowdiveSlowdive
Slowdive
A gorgeous, mature reunion record of refined shoegaze. Warm and acclaimed. A triumphant comeback.
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174Second ComingThe Stone Roses
Second Coming
A long-delayed, blues-rock-leaning follow-up to a beloved debut. Heavier and divisive. A flawed but interesting record.
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175Pills 'n' Thrills and BellyachesHappy Mondays
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches
A baggy, dance-rock peak of Madchester hedonism. Loose and beloved. Their finest.
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176XTRMNTRPrimal Scream
XTRMNTR
A furious, electronic-punk peak of political noise. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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177BandwagonesqueTeenage Fanclub
Bandwagonesque
A power-pop landmark of jangly Big Star worship. Tuneful and beloved. A 90s favourite.
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178BugDinosaur Jr.
Bug
A loud, melodic peak of the original line-up. Raw and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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179New Day RisingHüsker Dü
New Day Rising
A loud, melodic hardcore-into-pop peak. Raw and beloved. A high point.
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180TimThe Replacements
Tim
A sharper, major-label peak of ragged, heartfelt rock. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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181Pleased to Meet MeThe Replacements
Pleased to Meet Me
A sharp, soulful peak of ragged songcraft. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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182Bee ThousandGuided by Voices
Bee Thousand
A lo-fi indie landmark of fragmentary pop brilliance. Scrappy and beloved. A cult masterpiece.
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183Alien LanesGuided by Voices
Alien Lanes
A scrappy, prolific lo-fi pop peak. Charming and beloved. A high point.
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184Terror TwilightPavement
Terror Twilight
A polished, Nigel Godrich-produced final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A graceful close.
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185Perfect from Now OnBuilt to Spill
Perfect from Now On
A sprawling, ambitious indie peak of long guitar suites. Bold and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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186Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?Of Montreal
Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
A frantic, confessional psych-pop peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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187Yoshimi Battles the Pink RobotsThe Flaming Lips
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
A whimsical, emotional psych-pop landmark of robots and mortality. Beloved and acclaimed. A high point.
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188Deserter's SongsMercury Rev
Deserter's Songs
A lush, orchestral comeback of symphonic indie beauty. Bold and acclaimed. A revival record.
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189Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in SpaceSpiritualized
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
A vast, gospel-and-drone space-rock peak of heartbreak. Immersive and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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190Things We Lost in the FireLow
Things We Lost in the Fire
A hushed, slowcore peak of fragile beauty. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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191If You're Feeling SinisterBelle and Sebastian
If You're Feeling Sinister
A witty, literate indie-pop landmark of twee charm. Beloved and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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192Emperor Tomato KetchupStereolab
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
A groovy, krautrock-pop peak of retro-futurist cool. Inventive and beloved. Their finest.
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193Kill the MoonlightSpoon
Kill the Moonlight
A spare, rhythmic indie peak of clever minimalism. Sharp and beloved. A cornerstone.
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194Dear ScienceTV on the Radio
Dear Science
A vibrant, art-rock peak of horns, funk and urgency. Bold and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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195ShieldsGrizzly Bear
Shields
A dense, intricate indie peak. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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196Bitte OrcaDirty Projectors
Bitte Orca
An inventive, angular art-pop peak. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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197FeelsAnimal Collective
Feels
A warm, exuberant experimental-pop peak. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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198Person PitchPanda Bear
Person Pitch
A blissful, sample-built solo landmark of layered vocal pop. Inventive and influential. A cult favourite.
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199A Deeper UnderstandingThe War on Drugs
A Deeper Understanding
A lush, Grammy-winning continuation of heartland-indie drift. Warm and acclaimed. A strong peak.
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200Wakin on a Pretty DazeKurt Vile
Wakin on a Pretty Daze
A loose, hazy guitar peak of laid-back charm. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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201Wide Awake!Parquet Courts
Wide Awake!
A punchy, danceable post-punk peak of wit and groove. Sharp and acclaimed. A standout.
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202Teens of DenialCar Seat Headrest
Teens of Denial
A sprawling, literate indie-rock breakthrough. Raw and acclaimed. A defining 2010s record.
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203AntisocialitesAlvvays
Antisocialites
A bright, hook-laden indie-pop peak of dreamy melody. Charming and acclaimed. Their finest.
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204Ants from Up ThereBlack Country, New Road
Ants from Up There
A sprawling, emotional post-rock-chamber peak. Ambitious and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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205Wet LegWet Leg
Wet Leg
A witty, deadpan post-punk debut, home to 'Chaise Longue'. Fun and acclaimed. A breakout.