Alternative Music: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Top 10 Alt Starter Albums
The defining entries in any alternative record collection. The iconoclasts whose singular sound has shaped a whole generation of underground acts.
The defining entries in any alternative record collection. The iconoclasts whose singular sound has shaped a whole generation of underground acts.
Top 10 'Obscure' Starter LPs
These unique, unusual, underground albums sound thrilling, strange, and amazing to this day. They're the best 'Obscure' albums lurking in popular music's fringes, inspiring many with their abundant artistry and individuality.
These unique, unusual, underground albums sound thrilling, strange, and amazing to this day. They're the best 'Obscure' albums lurking in popular music's fringes, inspiring many with their abundant artistry and individuality.
Top 10 Merge Albums
From Superchunk to Destroyer, Guv'ner to the Arcade Fire, we count down 10 choice discs served up in the history of North Carolina's Merge Records.
From Superchunk to Destroyer, Guv'ner to the Arcade Fire, we count down 10 choice discs served up in the history of North Carolina's Merge Records.
Top 10 Matador Albums
Few record-labels have had an ongoing, unbroken run of pop-cultural credibility like Matador Records; whose 20 years on the job has uncovered an embarrassment of recorded riches. Here's ten glittering picks from the Matador catalogue.
Few record-labels have had an ongoing, unbroken run of pop-cultural credibility like Matador Records; whose 20 years on the job has uncovered an embarrassment of recorded riches. Here's ten glittering picks from the Matador catalogue.
Parenthetical Girls Interview
Parenthetical Girls' album 'Entanglements' is an ambitious, impressive orchestral epic. Here, frontman Zac Pennington spills the beans on its making.
Parenthetical Girls' album 'Entanglements' is an ambitious, impressive orchestral epic. Here, frontman Zac Pennington spills the beans on its making.
Top 10 Sub Pop Albums
Though it'll be forever associated with grunge, Seattle's legendary Sub Pop Records has reinvented itself in the new millennium, presiding over an eclectic lineup of increasingly-successful acts. Here're 10 picks from the label's first 20 years.
Though it'll be forever associated with grunge, Seattle's legendary Sub Pop Records has reinvented itself in the new millennium, presiding over an eclectic lineup of increasingly-successful acts. Here're 10 picks from the label's first 20 years.
Genre Profile: Freak-Folk
A look at the recent folk-revival revivalists who've redreamt the imaginary hippy utopia for the new century.
A look at the recent folk-revival revivalists who've redreamt the imaginary hippy utopia for the new century.
Parenthetical Girls
The Portland outfit's latest longplayer marries jaunty orchestrations with lyrical grotesqueries, unexpectedly making for one of 2008's best discs.
The Portland outfit's latest longplayer marries jaunty orchestrations with lyrical grotesqueries, unexpectedly making for one of 2008's best discs.
Silver Jews Interview
Silver Jews' David Berman discusses his recent embrace of the road, pop's utter lack of message, and whether he's still on a mission from God.
Silver Jews' David Berman discusses his recent embrace of the road, pop's utter lack of message, and whether he's still on a mission from God.
Genre Profile: Shoegaze
A historical look at the guitar-driven "fluff on the needle" sound that set London alight in the late-'80s and early'-90s.
A historical look at the guitar-driven "fluff on the needle" sound that set London alight in the late-'80s and early'-90s.
post-rock
A look at the ragged instrumentalists and jazz-schooled dorks that've made up post-rock's wordless movement.
A look at the ragged instrumentalists and jazz-schooled dorks that've made up post-rock's wordless movement.
The Walkmen Interview
Eight years and four albums into things, the ultra-moody New Yorkers are in career-best form. Their throaty vocalist talks it like they walk it.
Eight years and four albums into things, the ultra-moody New Yorkers are in career-best form. Their throaty vocalist talks it like they walk it.
Record Label Profile: Merge
Chronicle of the surprising rise of North Carolina's long-running independent label Merge Records.
Chronicle of the surprising rise of North Carolina's long-running independent label Merge Records.
Artist Profile: No Age
History, bio, and breakdown of the Los Angelino duo, as told by drummer/vocalist Dean Spunt.
History, bio, and breakdown of the Los Angelino duo, as told by drummer/vocalist Dean Spunt.
Alt History: Spiritualized
Never one for subtle symbolism, Jason Pierce commands his space-cadets up all 144 storeys of Toronto's CN Tower.
Never one for subtle symbolism, Jason Pierce commands his space-cadets up all 144 storeys of Toronto's CN Tower.
Chad VanGaalen 'Soft Airplane'
The third album for the self-styled Canadian mystic is a typical mixed-bag, an ad-hoc assemblage of mismatched instrumentage that occasionally seems magical, often not.
The third album for the self-styled Canadian mystic is a typical mixed-bag, an ad-hoc assemblage of mismatched instrumentage that occasionally seems magical, often not.
Stereolab Interview
Laetitia Sadier discusses the state of Stereolab, and the state of the modern world, on the eve of her beloved band's ninth album.
Laetitia Sadier discusses the state of Stereolab, and the state of the modern world, on the eve of her beloved band's ninth album.
Mogwai Interview
The guitarist of the Scottish post-rock heroes is howling.
The guitarist of the Scottish post-rock heroes is howling.
Chad VanGaalen Interview
The tall Canadian songsmith talks raiding rubbish skips, building instruments, and the everyman inspiration of the lo-fi movement.
The tall Canadian songsmith talks raiding rubbish skips, building instruments, and the everyman inspiration of the lo-fi movement.
Jaguar Love Interview
After the bad break-up of Blood Brothers, screeching vocalist Johnny Whitney is back with a brand new bag: Jaguar Love. He spills the beans on how one became the other.
After the bad break-up of Blood Brothers, screeching vocalist Johnny Whitney is back with a brand new bag: Jaguar Love. He spills the beans on how one became the other.
Brendan Canning
Brendan Canning's solo debut is like a duller, flatter take on Broken Social Scene's collectivist mediocrity.
Brendan Canning's solo debut is like a duller, flatter take on Broken Social Scene's collectivist mediocrity.
Death Vessel
The second Death Vessel album for super-high-voiced finger-picking songsmith Joel Thibodeau seeks to further his musical range.
The second Death Vessel album for super-high-voiced finger-picking songsmith Joel Thibodeau seeks to further his musical range.
Alt History: Kurt at VMAs
Back in 1992, what t-shirt you wore really mattered.
Back in 1992, what t-shirt you wore really mattered.
Diplo, Telepathe, Abe V. Tour
It's a Mad Decent Fall Classic, starring Diplo and his new pals: NY synth sirens Telepathe and wiry LA rockers Abe Vigoda.
It's a Mad Decent Fall Classic, starring Diplo and his new pals: NY synth sirens Telepathe and wiry LA rockers Abe Vigoda.
Genre Profile: Lo-Fi
Crack out your Shrimper cassettes! It's a history lesson in the lo-fi movement.
Crack out your Shrimper cassettes! It's a history lesson in the lo-fi movement.
Death Vessel Interview
The gentle folkie with the high, high voice colors in his pre-Sub Pop musical backstory.
The gentle folkie with the high, high voice colors in his pre-Sub Pop musical backstory.
Dodos Interview
Meric Long of San Franciscan rattle-folk duo Dodos is shocked that his band holds such appeal for little kids and old people.
Meric Long of San Franciscan rattle-folk duo Dodos is shocked that his band holds such appeal for little kids and old people.
Record Label Profile: Sub Pop
In-depth historical profile of the influential, (semi-)independent Seattle label.
In-depth historical profile of the influential, (semi-)independent Seattle label.
Beach House Interview
Baltimore-based duo Beach House's slow, droney, comedown dream-pop has legions of listeners analyzing it for meaning. But the band's Alex Scally isn't one of them.
Baltimore-based duo Beach House's slow, droney, comedown dream-pop has legions of listeners analyzing it for meaning. But the band's Alex Scally isn't one of them.
Artist Profile: Nirvana
Profile of the life and death of the alternative legends
Profile of the life and death of the alternative legends
Beach House Tour Fall '08
After pressing up their first-ever seven-inch, the Baltimore duo take to the road
After pressing up their first-ever seven-inch, the Baltimore duo take to the road
Stereolab: Live! In Late-'08
North American Tour dates for English indie-pop institution Stereolab.
North American Tour dates for English indie-pop institution Stereolab.
Genre Profile: Riot Grrrl
Chronicle of the riot grrrl movement's furious surge in the early 1990s.
Chronicle of the riot grrrl movement's furious surge in the early 1990s.
Artist Profile: Bon Iver
Justin Vernon made a heartbroken record in a Wisconsin cabin in the middle of winter. Plenty of people have warmed to it.
Justin Vernon made a heartbroken record in a Wisconsin cabin in the middle of winter. Plenty of people have warmed to it.
Artist: Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit are an emotionally-driven guitar-rock combo from Scotland. Learn more about their strange ways.
Frightened Rabbit are an emotionally-driven guitar-rock combo from Scotland. Learn more about their strange ways.
Artist Profile: Iron & Wine
Shy southerner Sam Beam's quiet songs have made a loud noise on the alternative scene.
Shy southerner Sam Beam's quiet songs have made a loud noise on the alternative scene.
Factory Records: Graphic Album
Manchester's legendary Factory Records were long defined by their consistent, insistent visual aesthetic. This art-book chronicles the label's entire output.
Manchester's legendary Factory Records were long defined by their consistent, insistent visual aesthetic. This art-book chronicles the label's entire output.
Artist Profile: Spoon
Potted history of Austin indie-rock outfit Spoon, from their troubled early days to their chart-bothering recent rock classics.
Potted history of Austin indie-rock outfit Spoon, from their troubled early days to their chart-bothering recent rock classics.
Alt History: Lou Reed
In 1975, Lou Reed released one of the strangest, most confronting, most misunderstood records in rock history.
In 1975, Lou Reed released one of the strangest, most confronting, most misunderstood records in rock history.
Alt History: The Sex Pistols
40 people were there, 4000 claim they were. A look at one of the most legendary, influential gigs in modern music history.
40 people were there, 4000 claim they were. A look at one of the most legendary, influential gigs in modern music history.
Alt History: Pitchfork vs Jet
When urination says it all for the retro-rock generation.
When urination says it all for the retro-rock generation.
White Hinterland Tours Europe
In support of her Francophone EP 'Luniculaire', White Hinterland's Casey Dienel trips across the EU.
In support of her Francophone EP 'Luniculaire', White Hinterland's Casey Dienel trips across the EU.
Definitive LPs: Palace Music
Will Oldham's third Palace album is his masterwork; at turns urgent and volatile, reluctant and solemn, lovestruck and heartachin'.
Will Oldham's third Palace album is his masterwork; at turns urgent and volatile, reluctant and solemn, lovestruck and heartachin'.
Definitive LPs: Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom's debut disc was a startling arrival from an alien artist, the virtuoso harpist a true musical original.
Joanna Newsom's debut disc was a startling arrival from an alien artist, the virtuoso harpist a true musical original.
Definitive: Animal Collective
Tapping into the freak-folk times, Animal Collective's acclaimed fifth album spearheaded a sweeping movement of 'new primitivism'
Tapping into the freak-folk times, Animal Collective's acclaimed fifth album spearheaded a sweeping movement of 'new primitivism'
Definitive LPs: The Raincoats
Best known for diffusing punk's heaving machismo, the Raincoats' remarkable, ramshackle debut summons a peculiar musical magic.
Best known for diffusing punk's heaving machismo, the Raincoats' remarkable, ramshackle debut summons a peculiar musical magic.
Definitive Albums: The Smiths
Never really an 'album' band, the patron saints of indie-pop are captured in full-flight on this singles compilation.
Never really an 'album' band, the patron saints of indie-pop are captured in full-flight on this singles compilation.
10 Alternative Starter Albums
Top 10 Starter Alternative Albums
Top 10 Starter Alternative Albums
Stereolab 'Chemical Chords'
Stereolab's latest longplayer sounds exactly like every other record they've ever made. But it's not exactly like every other record they've ever made.
Stereolab's latest longplayer sounds exactly like every other record they've ever made. But it's not exactly like every other record they've ever made.
Online Guide: The Hype Machine
The mp3-collating gateway to the blogosphere.
The mp3-collating gateway to the blogosphere.
Record Label Profile: Matador
A traipse through the history of New York's venerable mega-indie, Matador Records.
A traipse through the history of New York's venerable mega-indie, Matador Records.
Young Marble Giants
Recorded in three days in a studio in North Wales, the one-and-only album for Young Marble Giants achieved a perfect kind of simplicity.
Recorded in three days in a studio in North Wales, the one-and-only album for Young Marble Giants achieved a perfect kind of simplicity.
David Berman 'Actual Air'
The debut book of poetry for the Silver Jews frontman is a striking collection of razor-sharp syllables.
The debut book of poetry for the Silver Jews frontman is a striking collection of razor-sharp syllables.
The Psychic Soviet
The greatest rock-n-roll book in the world by the greatest rock-n-roll frontman in the world. And I'm not talking about Bono's autobiography.
The greatest rock-n-roll book in the world by the greatest rock-n-roll frontman in the world. And I'm not talking about Bono's autobiography.
TVOTR Drop Science, Hit Road
Following the release of their punctuation-inclusive 'Dear Science,' LP, TVOTR unleash a slate of dates for late-'08.
Following the release of their punctuation-inclusive 'Dear Science,' LP, TVOTR unleash a slate of dates for late-'08.
Silver Jews on the Road Again
Having steadfastly refused touring for the first 16 years of the Silver Jews' existence, David Berman is taking the band on tour for the third time in four years.
Having steadfastly refused touring for the first 16 years of the Silver Jews' existence, David Berman is taking the band on tour for the third time in four years.
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man
A film divided into three: one part study of Cohen, one part all-star variety concert, one part stuck-listening-to-Bono.
A film divided into three: one part study of Cohen, one part all-star variety concert, one part stuck-listening-to-Bono.
The Story of the Ramones
Documentary chronicle of the life and times of America's pre-eminent punk-rockers.
Documentary chronicle of the life and times of America's pre-eminent punk-rockers.
Definitive Albums: The Monks
With four decade's worth of hindsight, the Monks' still-thrilling debut may've birthed both punk and kraut-rock.
With four decade's worth of hindsight, the Monks' still-thrilling debut may've birthed both punk and kraut-rock.
Definitive: Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel main-man Jeff Mangum still hasn't been able to bring himself to attempt a successor to this slice of longplaying perfection.
Neutral Milk Hotel main-man Jeff Mangum still hasn't been able to bring himself to attempt a successor to this slice of longplaying perfection.
Definitive LPs: Vashti Bunyan
Lost in oblivion for nearly three decades, Bunyan's magical debut has been granted an almost holy status by smitten listeners.
Lost in oblivion for nearly three decades, Bunyan's magical debut has been granted an almost holy status by smitten listeners.
Death Cab 'Narrow Stairs'
Death Cab For Cutie are back with their seventh album, [i]Narrow Stairs[/i]. After building a career around Ben Gibbard's sensitive sentimentalism, for their latest longplayer Death Cab sound a little ornery.
Death Cab For Cutie are back with their seventh album, [i]Narrow Stairs[/i]. After building a career around Ben Gibbard's sensitive sentimentalism, for their latest longplayer Death Cab sound a little ornery.
Isobel Campbell Interview
Isobel Campbell, the one-time belle of Belle & Sebastian's twee-pop ball, talks about her true labour of love: a second collaboration with Mark Lanegan.
Isobel Campbell, the one-time belle of Belle & Sebastian's twee-pop ball, talks about her true labour of love: a second collaboration with Mark Lanegan.
Shearwater Interview
Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater trawls throug his tawdry musical past, his rampant ornithophilia, and his new record, [i]Rook[/i].
Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater trawls throug his tawdry musical past, his rampant ornithophilia, and his new record, [i]Rook[/i].
Online Guide: Daytrotter
Fly-by-night musicians drop in on Daytrotter. They roll tape. We all win.
Fly-by-night musicians drop in on Daytrotter. They roll tape. We all win.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend's hype-starting debut disc is one of the biggest alternative albums in aeons. But is it worthy of all the acclaim?
Vampire Weekend's hype-starting debut disc is one of the biggest alternative albums in aeons. But is it worthy of all the acclaim?
Vetiver 'Thing Of The Past'
San Franciscan flower children Vetiver front up with an album of covers drawn from the days of yore.
San Franciscan flower children Vetiver front up with an album of covers drawn from the days of yore.