Boston-based magazine The Phoenix has written a lengthy tribute to the the origins of indie rock, listing what it feels is the "ten landmark albums that made indie rock." But wait! Sure, we've heard it all before, but this list actually makes some sense. Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation takes the honours as number one - no real surprise there. Feel free to argue though, if it's that divisive.
The Ten Landmark Albums That Made Indie Rock:
1. Sonic Youth Daydream Nation (Blast First, 1988)
2. Dinosaur Jr You're Living All Over Me (SST, 1987)
3. Husker Du Zen Arcade (SST, 1984)
4. The Jesus & Mary Chain Psychocandy (Blanco Y Negro, 1985)
5. Joy Divison Closer (Factory, 1980)
6. Minutemen Double Nickels On the Dime (SST, 1984)
7. Pixies Surfer Rosa (4AD, 1988)
8. R.E.M. Murmur (I.R.S., 1983)
9. The Replacements Let It Be (Twin/Tone, 1984)
10. The Smiths Meat Is Murder (Rough Trade)
And here are the 25 honourable mentions:
Bad Brains Rock for Light (Caroline, 1983)
Big Black Atomizer (Touch & Go, 1986)
Butthole Surfers Rembrandt Pussyhorse (Latino Bugger Veil, 1986)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds From Her to Eternity (Mute/Elektra, 1984)
Cocteau Twins Treasure (4AD, 1984)
The Cure The Head on the Door (Elektra, 1985)
Descendents Milo Goes to College (SST, 1982)
Dream Syndicate The Days of Wine and Roses (Slash, 1982)
The Fall This Nations Saving Grace (Beggars Banquet, 1985)
Flipper Generic Flipper (Subterranean, 1982)
Government Issue You (Giant, 1987)
The Gun Club Fire of Love (Ruby, 1981)
Meat Puppets Meat Puppets II (SST, 1984)
Melvins Gluey Porch Treatments (Boner, 1987)
Minor Threat Out of Step (Dischord, 1983)
Mission of Burma Vs. (Ace of Hearts, 1982)
Moving Targets Burning Acid (Taang!, 1986)
Naked Raygun All Rise (Homestead, 1986)
Rites of Spring Rites of Spring (Dischord, 1985)
Soul Asylum Made to Be Broken (Twin/Tone, 1986)
Squirrel Bait Squirrel Bait (Homestead, 1985)
Swans Children of God (Caroline, 1987)
Throwing Muses Throwing Muses (4AD, 1986)
Wipers Youth of America (Park Avenue, 1981)
X Wild Gift (Slash, 1981)
Sonic Youth "Teen Age Riot"
The Ten Landmark Albums That Made Indie Rock:
1. Sonic Youth Daydream Nation (Blast First, 1988)
2. Dinosaur Jr You're Living All Over Me (SST, 1987)
3. Husker Du Zen Arcade (SST, 1984)
4. The Jesus & Mary Chain Psychocandy (Blanco Y Negro, 1985)
5. Joy Divison Closer (Factory, 1980)
6. Minutemen Double Nickels On the Dime (SST, 1984)
7. Pixies Surfer Rosa (4AD, 1988)
8. R.E.M. Murmur (I.R.S., 1983)
9. The Replacements Let It Be (Twin/Tone, 1984)
10. The Smiths Meat Is Murder (Rough Trade)
And here are the 25 honourable mentions:
Bad Brains Rock for Light (Caroline, 1983)
Big Black Atomizer (Touch & Go, 1986)
Butthole Surfers Rembrandt Pussyhorse (Latino Bugger Veil, 1986)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds From Her to Eternity (Mute/Elektra, 1984)
Cocteau Twins Treasure (4AD, 1984)
The Cure The Head on the Door (Elektra, 1985)
Descendents Milo Goes to College (SST, 1982)
Dream Syndicate The Days of Wine and Roses (Slash, 1982)
The Fall This Nations Saving Grace (Beggars Banquet, 1985)
Flipper Generic Flipper (Subterranean, 1982)
Government Issue You (Giant, 1987)
The Gun Club Fire of Love (Ruby, 1981)
Meat Puppets Meat Puppets II (SST, 1984)
Melvins Gluey Porch Treatments (Boner, 1987)
Minor Threat Out of Step (Dischord, 1983)
Mission of Burma Vs. (Ace of Hearts, 1982)
Moving Targets Burning Acid (Taang!, 1986)
Naked Raygun All Rise (Homestead, 1986)
Rites of Spring Rites of Spring (Dischord, 1985)
Soul Asylum Made to Be Broken (Twin/Tone, 1986)
Squirrel Bait Squirrel Bait (Homestead, 1985)
Swans Children of God (Caroline, 1987)
Throwing Muses Throwing Muses (4AD, 1986)
Wipers Youth of America (Park Avenue, 1981)
X Wild Gift (Slash, 1981)
Sonic Youth "Teen Age Riot"