Top 10 Indie Bands with Records worth Having
From being a simple anti-establishment movement to now being one of the most crowded genres in music, and in the field of media in general, the indie genre has surely come a long way.
And since vinyl records have increased sales for the past years, we have come up with a list of top 10 indie bands that’s worth having their records in your collection.
If you’re a fan of indie movies then we also have a list of indie movies and their vinyl records.
#1 BON IVER
The American indie folk band Bon Iver was started by Justin Vernon in 2006. They debuted in 2007 with the album For Emma, Forever Ago. Then we have the best-selling album eponymous to the band, Bon Iver, released in 2011. They have received a total of two Grammy Awards, “Best New Artist” and “Best Alternative Music Album”, in the whole duration of their career with Bon Iver.
Above are two of the band’s music releases, the Blood Bank EP and the Bon Iver studio album. Both have a very simple look to them, however, its beauty cannot be denied. With one having a glossy arched album title on the jacket and the other having an embossed landscape design.
#2 BRIGHT EYES
Thanks to the band’s singer-songwriter, guitarist and founder, Conor Oberst, we get to have one of the multi talented indie rock bands of the industry. Bright Eyes has released a lot of great music but the best so far is their I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning studio album released in 2005. For the vinyl release of the album, the band went with both a standard black colored vinyl and a butter yellow colored custom vinyl record. It’s a perfect record for people who’re into songs of a maturing adolescent.
#3 WILCO
Chicago, Illinois-based alternative rock band, Wilco, is definitely a band that belongs in this list. For 23 years now, the band has journeyed and explored through America’s rock n’ roll scene with 11, going 12, studio albums.
A suggestion of the record you can try looking for and ponder on buying is the deluxe edition of the band’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It is a box set of 7 gold 12” custom vinyl records. Don’t forget to check out their digital release of Cruel Country this May 27.
#4 THE SHINS
The 2008 Grammy Award nominee for Best Alternative Music Album for Wincing the Night Away is one of the must-check indie bands. They’re music is very well-loved, most especially their debut album Oh, Inverted World, 2003 album Chutes Too Narrow, and 2007 album Wincing the Night Away, all having gold certification from RIAA.
Here’s an indie vinyl pressing of The Shins’ Chutes Too Narrow. The golden custom vinyl records are super cool with their less opaque characteristic that lets light shine through it.
#5 BAND OF HORSES
We have to thank Band of Horses for spending eighteen years and more in the future in this industry. The band has released a total of 6 studio albums that the industry should be thankful for. Among them is their debut album, Everything All the Time, that has been certified gold thrice by RIAA, IFPI DEN, and IFPI NOR.
Here’s a picture of the clear color of the album. I have to wish you luck on finding a copy of it, though you can just settle for the standard black.
#6 THE AVETT BROTHERS
The Avett Brothers is an American folk rock band that’s very much deserving of a spot in this list. The band has given its fans and the music industry unique and awesome tracks that people listen to.
They’ve won a lot of awards like “Emerging Artist of the Year” from Americana Music Honors & Awards. They’re 2007 album Emotionalism was even nominated as “Album of the Year” for the same award show.
The custom vinyl record of the album is a very rare one with only 50 copies existing in this world. Good luck surfing the internet for a copy.
#7 WOLF PARADE
The Canadian indie rock band, Wolf Parade, was formed in 2003 in Montreal by Spencer Krug. They debuted with their well acclaimed debut album Apologies to Queen Mary which has got people loving them and their music.
After their third studio album Expo 86, they were on a five-year hiatus until 2016. To announce their comeback, they released their self-released, self-entitled EP, Wolf Parade, on May 17 containing 4 tracks.
#8 ARCADE FIRE
Another Canadian indie rock band for you guys. Arcade Fire consists of husband and wife Win Butler and Regine Chassagne alongside 3 more members. The band was established in 2001 and is still very much alive in 2022.
Their latest studio album release, We, was just released this May 6, 2022. The vinyl album has a limited edition that’s by far the most eye-catching one among all the custom vinyl records suggested here. The white eye-design on the black vinyl record looks haunting.
#9 THE HELIO SEQUENCE
The indie rock band under Sub Pop, The Helio Sequence, has apparently been on a hiatus since 2015 leaving fans with their last studio album, The Helio Sequence.
The band’s release has been nothing short of perfection and thanks to the good happy vibes of the album, we are not feeling so down waiting for their next release.
#10 BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE
This last band is one that consists of as few as 6 members and as many as 19 members. It was formed by core members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning.
After having some break, the band released a vinyl B-side album, Old Dead Young. The album includes 2 12” standard black vinyl records, a vinyl jacket with a wide spine, embossed cover, inserts, photos, and liner notes.
And we’ve reached the end of our list, folks—the best indie records on vinyl.
I’m sure you’ll love at least one or two or ten of them.
I hope the links we gave you saved you the energy of looking through the internet.
