Indie rock is a label that defines a very broad genre of music. It blends alternative rock, garage rock, post-punk and other styles and encompasses a number of sub-genres. It also happens to be among the most popular types of music for college kids. Here are four popular bands you have to know if you love indie rock.
1. Arctic Monkeys.
Everyone knows them, and if “Do I Wanna Know?” is the only song you jam to right now, you’ll be delighted to hear that this favorite band of mine has five fantastic albums for your musical enjoyment. The Arctic Monkeys’ music progressively mellows out, so the more intense stuff will be found in their earlier albums, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” (recommended track: “Mardy Bum”, my all-time favorite song by this band) and “Favourite Worst Nightmare” (an all-around excellent album). However, their entire discography is worth listening to.
2. The Black Keys.
I still haven't gotten to all eight of this band's albums, but from what I have heard, The Black Keys make some great music. Their music is often best described as garage rock. The first album I heard from them was the high-quality "El Camino." "Brothers" is one of my other favorite albums from them, and their most recent album, Turn Blue, came out last year. They have too many great songs to recommend just a few, but you can start off with the slower song “You’re The One” and one from their newest album, “Gotta Get Away."
3. The Strokes.
Everyone with a soul likes The Strokes. Their music is both emotional and addictingly catchy. My favorites from them are their two oldest albums, “Is This It” and “Room on Fire”, which are also definitely some of my favorite albums ever. I would recommend giving “What Ever Happened?” and “Razorblade” a listen.
4. Cage The Elephant.
This band has three great albums out and another one on the way (scheduled to come out on Dec. 18 of this year). From their first two albums, I would recommend the songs “Back Against The Wall” and “Flow.” Their most recent album, “Melophobia” is an emotional masterpiece that is definitely worth several repeated listens. My favorite tracks from that album are "Telescope" and "Cigarette Daydreams." They have also released three new singles from their upcoming album, “Tell Me I’m Pretty.”
