Indie-rock albums often dominated the charts in the 2000s, while bands routinely scored hit singles and influenced fashion trends. That was then, this is now. Does 2000s indie stand up to the scrutiny of time? Many of the albums of the time certainly do. Some of them are downright excellent and worth praising.
It’s why I have assembled a list of the greatest indie-rock albums of the 2000s. And that’s why I encourage you to listen to them.
Read more:
- Top 150 Rock Bands of the 2000s
- The 100 Greatest Indie Rock Bands and Artists of All Time
- The 100 Greatest Indie Bands of All Time
The 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums Made Between 2000 and 2009
“Top 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums of the Early 2000s” Playlist
1. “Elephant” (2003) – The White Stripes
“Elephant” was the album that turned The White Stripes into the unlikelest of indie rock superstars of the 2000s. While their contemporaries were enjoying everything stardom had to offer, Meg and Jack White had the plan clear down to the colour scheme. While their contemporaries mined garage rock and 80s pop for ideas, The White Stripes looked further back to the blues.
“Elephant” wasn’t merely an album hyped by critics. Audiences fell with “Seven Nation Army” and turned it into one of the biggest sporting anthems in decades. Meanwhile, songs like “The Hardest Button to Button” and “Ball and Biscuit” proved that The White Stripes were more imaginative than the vast majority of their indie-rock peers.
2. “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” (2006) – Arctic Monkeys
Indie-rock bands were struggling to find a bit of fresh air by the mid-2000s. Most bands were singing from the same hymn sheet and boring their audiences. Arctic Monkeys had plenty of energy, humour, and enough great songs to fill up the whole debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.” The British press loved it.
And, indeed, it’s taken until recently to properly evaluate the record without the weight of the hype. Yeah, turns out that the press was right. “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,” with its punk-inspired indie-rock sound made by these Strokes-worshipping kids from Sheffield, still sounds marvellously fresh. It’s one of the best albums of the 2000s.
3. “Is This It” (2001) – The Strokes
There’s no indie album of the 2000s that is more famous than The Strokes. That’s because of the songs and excitement surrounding the album, and regardless of the fact that Julian Casablancas and his band were backed by a major record label and financed by rich parents.
Some scoffed at the band’s connections and their reliance on a great fashion sense, which reintroduced t-shirts and skinny jeans to the world. The truth is, however, that The Strokes came armed with songs like “Last Nite,” “Someday,” and “Hard to Explain,” and few rock fans could resist them. Garage rock suddenly had its figureheads, and New York City was, once again, the epicentre of an important music scene.
4. “Up the Bracket” (2002) – The Libertines
If the U.S.A. had The Strokes, then England deserved to have The Libertines. Yes, Peter Doherty and Carl Barat purposely modelled themselves on their NYC counterparts. But by the time they’d roped in Mick Jones of The Clash to produce “Up the Bracket,” there were no bands on the island who made greater indie-rock albums.
Doherty and Barat were punk-rock poets, often endangering themselves and creating their own myth. But they wrote songs which made them one of the more important bands of the 2000s.
5. “White Blood Cells” (2001) – The White Stripes
Rock critics always find reasons to complain. By the early 2000s, pop music had gone plastic, and the existing indie-rock bands could easily be suspected of being industry plants. But, as far as critics were concerned, The White Stripes did everything right. Pretty soon, audiences were singing the same tune. “
“White Blood Cells” is an effortlessly cool, memorable indie rock album of the 2000s. “Fell in Love with a Girl,” “Hotel Yorba,” or “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” were near-instant classics. Who says you need a bass guitar anyway?
6. “Turn on the Bright Lights” (2002) – Interpol
If The Strokes were stylish and willing to indulge in what New York City’s sleazy nightlife had to offer, Interpol presented themselves as restless outsiders. “Turn on the Bright Lights” ended up being welcomed as the dazed soundtrack to the 9/11 attacks.
Yet, truthfully, Interpol had worked on this tense, stylish sound for a long time before the musicians became successful. The soundscapes created on songs like “PDA” or “Obstacle 1” are still dizzying and few bass players could write lines as memorable as Carlos Dengler.
7. “Favourite Worst Nightmare” (2007) – Arctic Monkeys
Back in the U.K., the debut album by Arctic Monkeys reignited 2000s indie-rock. Everyone waited breathlessly to hear if the Sheffield group could produce a worthy follow-up. The pressure didn’t get to Alex Turner and the band, at least not immediately.
“Favourite Worst Nightmare” is a bit tighter in terms of the band’s sound and a little lighter on tales of the dark Sheffield streets. “Favourite Worst Nightmare” has grown in stature, particularly because of songs like “Fluorescent Adolescent” or “505.”
8. “De Stijl” (2000) – The White Stripes
Even the best indie rock bands of the 2000s spent a long time figuring out their identity. The White Stripes came out completely aware of who they were. Their debut showed it. That had been a minor underground success.
“De Stijl” was the album that raised the group’s profile. Sure, they were still famous, mainly with critics and cool indie kids. But no duo could make that much and beautiful kind of noise. And nearly nobody played the blues like Jack and Meg White did. A classic!
9. “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia” (2000) – The Dandy Warhols
Whenever you hear The Dandy Warhols’ singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor, he will talk endlessly about “cool things,” “sounding cool,” and “looking cool.” These were exactly the objectives of The Dandy Warhols in the early 2000s. By the time of “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia,” few indie-rock bands had made a cooler album.
That would’ve been enough to create some kind of underground notoriety. But The Dandies weren’t destined to be a cult band. “Bohemian Like You” and “Get Off” were great hits, and “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia” was inescapable on commercial radio for a long time.
10. “Veni Vidi Vicious” (2000) – The Hives
The Hives understood that their key to greatness rested on doing less rather than more and on specialising. They echoed The Stooges’ garage rock, brought manic energy to their performances, and wrote some of the best guitar riffs of the 2000s.
That was enough for The Hives to make one of the most important indie rock albums of the 2000s with “Veni Vidi Vicious.” There’s plenty more on here than just “Hate to Say I Told You So” or “Main Offender.” This early 2000s album hits between the eyes and doesn’t stop punching.
Top 11 – 20
11. “Franz Ferdinand” (2004) – Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand was determined to be the Talking Heads of the 2000s indie-rock scene, artsy alternatives to the snotty, confident bands making the rounds. Still, on debut record “Franz Ferdinand,” the group’s art-rock is centred around hard-hitting, danceable guitar riffs. “This Fire” or “Take Me Out” got stuck in everyone’s head, and the Scottish band became the most successful of the early 2000s.
12. “The Moon and Antarctica” (2000) – Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse earned a reputation for being spiky and confrontational. Still, the band’s unique sound is treated through a lens of deep, powerful nostalgia and melancholy on “The Moon and Antarctica.”
This is music to listen to while stuck alone on a dark winter’s night. The band would make plenty more music and, against the odds, increase its profile among indie-rock fans in the 2000s. Although atypical, “The Moon and Antarctica” captures Modest Mouse at its creative best.
13. “Funeral” (2004) – Arcade Fire
Critics know what they want and knew they wanted to like Arcade Fire from the moment they heard them. Arcade Fire made great statements. They married hopefulness to terrible wow. And they took Neutral Milk Hotel’s desperate freak-folk and refined the formula. There were some cynics who thought Arcade Fire was merely improving already existing ideas. But the fact was that in 2004, few indie-rock albums got music fans as excited as “Funeral.”
Even those non-believers will have to admit that there’s something regal and dramatic about tunes like “Rebellion (Lies)” or “Wake Up.” Of course, in recent years, Arcade Fire has added more cynics than fans, but that might be beside the point here.
14. “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” (2002) – Wilco
Some bands do their best work when they are pushed to their limits. “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” is the best Wilco release and one of the best indie-rock albums of the 2000s precisely because it sounds like a great band nearly hitting rock bottom. How much of that is real and how much is a carefully orchestrated self-myth is debatable. But, with “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” fans of country, folk, and blues had a modern indie band that they could embrace.
15. “Yoshimi Battles the Big Pink Robots” (2002) – The Flaming Lips
There’s no shortage of ideas in the camp of The Flaming Lips. On “Yoshimi Battles the Big Pink Robots,” however, they manage to reel some of the wildest ones in, while using others as the basis of their story-led concept album.
It’s a great psychedelic excursion. Songs like “Do You Realize??” and their success meant that The Flaming Lips would be destined for more than 90s one-hit wonder status. And “Yoshimi Battles the Big Pink Robots” continues to reward those willing to listen to it from start to end, one of the best albums on the list to do this.
16. “Vampire Weekend” (2008) – Vampire Weekend
“Vampire Weekend” came out in 2008, a full seven years after “Is This It?” Yet, for many, this was the accompanying art-rock album for The Strokes’ debut. The Strokes were direct, Interpol was mysterious, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were emotional.
“Vampire Weekend” had all of that while still managing to sound like a strange art project. Critics raved about “A-Punk,” “Oxford Comma,” and “Campus.” Advertisements loved to use the music. And fans engaged with the music. Vampire Weekend peaked early when they made this classic 2000s indie-rock album.
17. “Highly Evolved” (2002) – The Vines
Many bands had had the label of “New Nirvana” stuck onto them. But that was just fine for The Vines. That’s because the Australians had a sound that could make you a believer in seconds.
In the 2000s indie-rock scene, nobody could use power chords and screams quite like The Vines on “Get Free.” Overall, “Highly Evolved” sounds effortlessly cool, especially at its least refined. Some blamed the band for failing to follow this up, but how could anyone?
18. “LCD Soundsystem” (2005) – LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem was the 2000s indie-rock party brigade who looked and sounded like your friends, not cool rockstars. More of a production project of James Murphy than an electronic-rock band at first, “LCD Soundsystem” became nonetheless the party soundtrack for 2000s indie.
Few indie discos were brave enough not to include “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House” in their mix. Meanwhile, “Losing My Edge” is heartbreaking for any scene kid fearing growing up.
19. “It’s Blitz” (2009) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs were lucky to come out of the NYC indie-rock scene at the same time as The Strokes, Interpol or LCD Soundsystem. But the band doesn’t get by on acquaintances and reputation alone. “It’s Blitz” still sounds great.
That’s because it is 2000s indie rock transposed through the imagination of a highly created band led by singer Karen O. “It’s Blitz” sounds, at times, like a modern disco record. And while the guitars aren’t as often available, the same kind of restless energy can be heard on songs like “Heads Will Roll” or “Dull Life,” but there’s anxiety at the heart of the music as on earlier recordings.
20. “Modern Guilt” (2008) – Beck
By 2008, it seemed that Beck had been everywhere and back again as far as indie-rock sounds and textures were concerned. With “Modern Guilt,” Beck teamed up with Danger Mouse and marched full speed into a modern, beat-heavy sound, which predicted where indie-rock albums would be heading past the 2010s.
There’s little to remind fans of the past. That’s partly because the tone of songs like “Gamma Ray” or “Orphans” is far sunnier than on the immediate previous releases.
Top 21 – 30
21. “Tyrannosaurus Hives” (2004) – The Hives
The Hives delivered one of the band’s best albums, “Tyrannosaurus Hives,” just as the 2000s garage-rock revival movement that had made the Swedes international stars was winding down.
Rather than capitulate, The Hives adapted. The memorable riffs and hollered vocals are here, sure. However, I think that it’s the production work and the band’s own understanding of The Hives brand that make this one of the best albums of the 2000s.
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22. “Kasabian” (2004) – Kasabian
There was an opening for the position of “Britain’s premier stadium rock act” at the start of the 2000s, with Oasis and Blur’s careers slowing down. Numerous groups applied. Many had something about them.
However, Kasabian seemed almost laboratory-designed to fill the spot. The band’s debut remains a super-charged mix of arena anthems. and meticulously arranged electro-rock. It remains one of the most enjoyable listens of 2000s British indie.
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23. “The Libertines” (2004) – The Libertines
The Libertines branded themselves as romantic defenders of a lost version of Britain. By 2004, they’d made their name by importing American indie rock and blending it with British Beatlesque melodies and punk swagger. But by 2004, the band was practically over.
“The Libertines” is fantastic and tragic because it captures a musical relationship on its last legs. A document of Carl Barat and Peter Doherty’s ambition and near demise, “The Libertines” is one of the greatest albums of the 2000s.
24. “Figure 8” (2000) – Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith was a reluctant pop star if there ever was one. During the 1990s, Smith’s tender, emotionally raw folk-rock compositions turned him into an indie darling. But by 2000, the secret was out and “Figure 8” arrived with more critical attention than Smith would have liked.
This is interesting since “Figure 8” is a beautiful anomaly in Smith’s discography. It’s an expertly arranged album that showcases the artist’s affection for 1960s pop. And it remains an essential early-2000s album.
25. “Hot Fuss” (2004) – The Killers
In many ways, “Hot Fuss” was the summit that indie rock bands hoped to reach since the start of the 2000s. The Killers got to it first, relying on Britpop-styled anthems and synth-pop dance fillers rather than on artsy experimentalism.
Before long, singles like “Somebody Told Me” or “Mr Brightside” were inescapable in mainstream culture and helped The Killers become the first arena indie-rockers of the 2000s.
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26. “The Bravery” (2005) – The Bravery
The Bravery’s debut album is an underrated, often-forgotten piece of indie-rock history. Much like The Killers’ or The Strokes’ debut, The Bravery’s first album blends indie-rock sonic strategies with unbelievably catchy pop hooks.
Unlike those, however, songs like “An Honest Mistake” present a darker picture of modern life than the idealistic 2000s counterparts tended to do. The Bravery was very successful for what seemed like only a minute. But, do yourself a favour and rediscover this album. It’ll be worth your time!
27. “Fever to Tell” (2003) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Possibly no other New York indie rock band of the 2000s received quite as much good press as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, including The Strokes or Interpol. However, this level of attention threatened to steal attention from the band’s music.
Beyond the hype, “Fever to Tell” captures the trio at its creative best, bursting with songwriting ideas. While not a perfect album, most of these ideas come off well. If you’re looking for an album that defines 2000s indie rock sleaze, this is a good place to start.
28. “Costello Music” (2006) – The Fratellis
Coolness was one of the principal factors in a band’s ascendency in the 2000s. The Fratellis had tight jeans and Marc Bolan haircuts, but their songs were never considered cool.
These were songs meant to be chanted by football stadium crowds, with “Chelsea Dagger” chants often reverberating off soccer terraces. This is all by design, I think. “Costello Music” is one of the most light-hearted, well-crafted collections of (mostly) singles released in the 2000s.
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29. “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” (2004) – Modest Mouse
Dedicated fans of Modest Mouse would’ve been happy for the band to remain their own little secret. By the 2000s, the group had certainly made enough important material to keep their status as underground legends forever.
However, “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” saw the band daring to challenge both longtime fans and pop audiences to embrace them. “Float On” pushed Modest Mouse into the mainstream, but the album that it was lifted from is one of the best records of the 2000s.
30. “Tonight” (2009) – Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand’s choppy guitar riffs and artsy presentation helped to define the indie rock sleaze of the 2000s. However, by the end of the decade, the Scottish group was sick of its own formulas. “Tonight” was greeted as a massive departure upon its release.
However, while the bright guitars are usually replaced by nocturnal synths, the catchy songwriting remains on songs like “Ulysses” and “No You Girls.” “Tonight” has weathered the years better than most expected and is one of the more important albums of the late 2000s.
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Top 31 – 40
31. “I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning” (2005) – Bright Eyes
There were hardly any doubts as to Conor Oberst’s songwriting abilities. In the 2000s, many consistently compared him to a young Bob Dylan. Yet, his critics also insisted that Oberst, with his band Bright Eyes, simply put out too much music, too many unfinished songs.
Upon its release, this was the verdict for “I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning.” However, time has been kind to the record, making it perhaps the most famous of Bright Eyes releases. “Lua,” “At the Bottom of Everything,” and “First Day of My Life” are among the best and most famous songs of the early 2000s.
32. “Dear Science,” (2008) – TV on the Radio
By 2008, very few indie bands were still playing traditional guitar rock. Everyone was looking for an angle, I suppose. Everyone was looking for a breakout, genre-bending hit.
Few of these bands were as ambitious or capable as TV on the Radio. On “Dear Science,” however, the Brooklyn-based group leans back for a change. Songs are tighter, catchier, and emphasise the vocals. It’s one of the best albums of the period!
33. “Neon Bible” (2007) – Arcade Fire
Critics want to be wowed, I know! Critics want to be told that they’re living through a glorious period that requires their approval. Critics absolutely loved Arcade Fire’s first two albums.
Arguably, “Neon Bible” was the more ambitious, less sentimental of the two. In 2007, no indie band had more beloved songs than “No Cars Go” or “Keep the Car Running.” In many ways, this was the peak for Arcade Fire.
34. “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” (2009) – Phoenix
Phoenix was always a very stylish band. The group’s earliest songs blended genres such as soft rock, new wave, and funk with ease. They just needed a few more songs to take over the world.
And that’s what these Parisians did with “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” Led by two of the best singles of the 2000s, “Lisztomania” and “1901,” this is one of the era’s best albums.
35. “Gimme Fiction” (2005) – Spoon
Spoon had always been a daring band. And this bravery had earned the group underground acclaim. With “Gimme Fiction,” the band did the most surprising thing it could in its position: it embraced pretty, Beatlesque pop-rock.
That’s not to say that “Gimme Fiction” is risk-averse. Quite the contrary! Song orchestration and cryptic lyrics are always the focus of an album that includes amazing mid-2000s tracks like “The Beast and Dragon, Adored” or, one of my personal favourites, “Sister Jack.”
36. “The Hour of Bewilderbeast” (2000) – Badly Drawn Boy
For a while, it seemed that Badly Drawn Boy was going to retrace the shape of British indie music after his own interests: beautiful melodies and Bruce Springsteen-like honesty.
Who could argue with a man who created something as charming and consistent as “The Hour of Bewilderbeast.” Songs like “Once Around the Block,” “Everybody’s Stalking”, and “The Shining” help to make this, in my opinion, one of the best albums of the early 2000s.
37. “Beyond” (2007) – Dinosaur Jr.
Maybe it is true that only in absence are we appreciated. Dinosaur Jr.’s original line-up had become legendary by the 2000s. So were their fights. News of their reunion came as a shock to fans of noisy indie-rock.
More surprising was the sheer quality of “Beyond.” It’s an album that’s not just big on sentimentality. It still packs a hell of a punch with songs like “Almost Ready,” or “Been There All the Time.” It’s one of the most consistent albums in Dinosaur Jr.’s already fantastic discography.
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38. “Walking on a Dream” (2008) – Empire of the Sun
At the tail end of the 2000s, many indie bands had set their guitars aside for synthesisers and controllers. None had a clearer, more interesting vision than Empire of the Sun.
Empire of the Sun marketed itself as a fashion-forward group not unlike the 1980s New Romantics and, besides, had the songs to back that perception.
“Walking on a Dream” was the electro-rock, positive vibes record that late-2000s audiences desperately needed. I’m betting on the style making a comeback any day now.
39. “What the Toll Tells” (2006) – Two Gallants
Two Gallants is one of the most underrated bands of the 2000s. While The White Stripes and The Black Keys received critical praise for their rootsy sound and power-duo dynamics, Two Gallants remained of interest only to a small audience.
That’s too bad because “What the Toll Tells” proves without a doubt that they were one of the greatest bands of the 2000s. Dynamic, poetic, and meaner-sounding than most roots-rock bands, “What the Toll Tells” is a delight.
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40. “You Forgot It In People” (2002) – Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is less of a band than proof of Toronto’s ability to nurture songwriting talent. The art collective’s 2002 release aimed to reshape indie-rock and, in many ways, did just that. It even earned considerable acclaim outside of Canada.
While there’s plenty of musical variety, given that over 10 musicians played on it, “You Forgot It In People” is one of the most consistent rock albums of the 2000s.
Top 41 – 50
41.“Was Dead” (2008) – King Tuff
42. “Illinois” (2005) – Sufjan Stevens
43. “Oracular Spectacular” (2007) – MGMT
44. “Capture/Release” (2005) – The Rakes
45. “Inside In/Inside Out” (2006) – The Kooks
46. “Pawn Shoppe Heart” (2004) – The Von Bondies
47. “Silent Alarm” (2005) – Bloc Party
48. “Guero” (2005) – Beck
49. “Fakebook” (2001) – Yo La Tengo
50. “Employment” (2005) – Kaiser Chiefs
Top 51 – 60
51. “You Could Have It So Much Better” (2005) – Franz Ferdinand
52. The Body, The Blood, The Machine” (2006) – The Thermals
53. “Chutes Too Narrow” (2003) – The Shins
54. “The Coral” (2005) – The Coral
55. “Plans” (2005) – Death Cab For Cutie
56. “So Much For the City” (2003) – The Thrills
57. “More Adventurous” (2004) – Rilo Kiley
58. “Boys and Girls in America” (2006) – The Hold Steady
59. “Welcome to the Monkey House” (2003) – The Dandy Warhols
60. “Give Up” (2003) – The Postal Service
Top 61 – 70
61. “The Back Room” (2005) – Editors
62. “You Are Free” (2003) – Cat Power
63. “Picaresque” (2005) – The Decemberists
64. “Mass Romantic” (2000) – The New Pornographers
65. “Only Revolutions” (2009) – Biffy Clyro
66. “Antics” (2004) – Interpol
67. “Humbug” (2009) – Arctic Monkeys
68. “Down In Albion” (2005) – Babyshambles
69. “Razorlight” (2006) – Razorlight
70. “Oh, Inverted World” (2001) – The Shins
Top 71 – 80
71. “Almost Killed Me” (2004) – The Hold Steady
72. “Return to Cookie Mountain” (2006) – TV On The Radio
73. “Robbers & Cowards” (2007) – Cold War Kids
74. “Oh No” (2005) – OK GO
75. “Transatlanticism” (2003) – Death Cab For Cutie
76. “Boxer” (2007) – The National
77. “Merriweather Post Pavilion” (2009) – Animal Collective
78. “Girls Can Tell” (2001) – Spoon
79. “The Reminder” (2007) – Feist
80. “Konk” (2008) – The Kooks
Top 81 – 90
81. “Music for the People” (2009) – The Enemy
82. “Empire” (2006) – Kasabian
83. “Wait for Me” (2007) – The Pigeon Detectives
84. “Myths of the Near Future” (2007) – Klaxons
85. “Echoes” (2003) – The Rapture
86. “An End Has a Start” (2005) – Editors
87. “Panic Prevention” (2007) – Jamie T
88. “Lungs” (2009) – Florence + The Machine
89. “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” (2007) – Modest Mouse
90. “Santigold” (2008) – Santigold
Top 91 – 100
91. “The Sunlandic Twins” (2005) – of Montreal
92. “Hold on Now, Youngster…” (2008) – Los Campesinos!
93. “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum” (2009) – Kasabian
94. “Tired of Hanging Around” (2006) – The Zutons
95. “Scissor Sisters” (2004) – Scissor Sisters
96. “Soviet Kitsch” (2004) – Regina Spector
97. “The Warning” (2006) – Hot Chip
98. “xx”(2009) – The xx
99. “The Midnight Organ Fight” (2008) – Frightened Rabbit
100. “Two Suns” (2009) – Bat for Lashes
Need more? I have just the thing that will go over smoothly once you’ve had a listen to the top 2000s albums. Here’s a list of the greatest indie-rock albums ever made. And, make sure to listen to its accompanying Spotify playlist.
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