We did the countdown of our top indie albums of 2008, but this is an easier to digest list with all the available mp3’s. I know not all were released on independent labels, but it’s impossible to avoid including bands like The Raconteurs.
1. Blitzen Trapper – Furr
2. Black Keys – Attack and Release
3. Fleet Foxes
4. Dr. Dog – Fate
5. Justin Townes Earle – The Good Life
6. Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creations Dark
7. Calexico – Carried to Dust
8. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
9. Port O’Brien – All We Could Do Was Sing
10. Langhorne Slim – Self Titled
11. Plants and Animals – Parc Avenue
12. The Felice Brothers – Self Titled
13. Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound
14. Hold Steady – Stay Positive
15. O’Death – Broken Limbs, Hymns and Skin
16. Moondoggies – Don’t Be A Stranger
17. The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely
18. Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Real Emotional Trash
19. Dead Confederate – Wrecking Ball
20. The Whipsaws – 60 Watt Avenue
21. The Morning Benders – Talking Through Tin Cans
22. Left Lane Cruiser – Bring Yo’ Ass To The Table
23. Okkervil River – The Stand Ins
24. Hacienda – Loud Is The Night
25. Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
26. Silver Jews – Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
27. Black Crowes – War Paint
28. Sam Champion – Heavenly Bender
29. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Self Titled
30. Black Mountain – In The Future
31. The John Henrys – Sweet As The Grain
32. Howlin’ Rain – Magnificent Fiend
33. The Explorers Club – Freedom Wind
34. Elliott Brood – Mountain Meadows
35. The Heavy – Great Vengeance and Furious Fire
36. Horse Feathers – House With No Home
37. War On Drugs – Wagonwheel Blues
38. Jessica Lea Mayfield – With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
39. Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead
40. Glossary – The Better Angels of Our Nature
41. The Steeldrivers – Self Titled
42. The Tallest Man On Earth – Shallow Grave
43. Two Cow Garage – Speaking In Cursive
44. She and Him – Volume One
45. Buffalo Killers – Let It Ride
46. Vampire Weekend
47. Marah – Angels of Destruction
48. Mason Proper – Olly Oxen Free
49. Catfish Haven – Devastator
50. Old Crow Medicine Show
Fleet Foxes – He Doesn’t Know Why
Exclusive: Justin Townes Earle – Lone Pine Hill (from the HearYa Live Session)
Drive-By Truckers – Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (Live Version)
My Morning Jacket – I’m Amazed
Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today
Langhorne Slim – Rebel Side of Heaven
The Felice Brothers – Frankie’s Gun
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Baltimore
The Morning Benders – Waiting on a War (Hear Ya Live Session version)
Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines
Hacienda – She’s Got A Hold On Me
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place
Silver Jews – Strange Victory, Strange Defeat
Sam Champion – Be Mine Everyone
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Buriedfed
The John Henrys – Lost In The Canyon
Howlin Rain – Dancers At The End Of Time
The Explorers Club – Do You Love Me?
Elliott BROOD – Write It All Down For You
Horse Feathers – Curs In The Weeds
War On Drugs – Taking The Farm
Jessica Lea Mayfield – Kiss Me Again
The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead
The Steeldrivers – If It Hadn’t Been For Love
The Tallest Man On Earth – I Won’t Be Found
Two Cow Garage – Your Humble Narrator
Buffalo Killers – If I get Myself Anywhere
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Overall I thought this was a cohesive, well thought out compilation, and for the most part I agreed with HearYa more so than any of the other “Best of 2008″ lists I’ve seen.
However, I think honorable mention should definitely go to Frightened Rabbit, Little Joy, Everest, and Beck’s Modern Guilt. While he may not be for everyone, you can’t get any more “indie” than Beck.
Aubin – Thanks for the compliment. I actually picked up Little Joy the day after the list was posted. It should have made the list. Frightened Rabbit was an album I should have spent way more time with in 2008 – probably also deserved a spot. I thought Everest had a few good songs, but the album as a whole was a little bland to me.
I agree with Aubin on Beck and Frightened Rabbit, both of which made my top 20. In fact, Beck would’ve been higher on my list if he wasn’t so damn preachy and if the album wasn’t so short. Still, however, the best Beck in years and still cutting new edges. In fact, one only has to listen to Blitzen Trapper, particularly Wild Mtn Nation, to detect his influence on today’s indie music.
i’m not saying i don’t like that stuff, some of it is actually pretty awesome.
but seriously, there’s more to indie music than art-country and folk.
why was bon iver not in this?
for emma forever ago?
anyone?
bowerbirds?
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