All Killer No Filler: Indie & Alternative Essentials on Vinyl
The indie and alternative albums that belong in every vinyl collection. From The Smiths to Radiohead and beyond.
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Take Our QuizIndie and alternative rock often feature meticulous production that translates beautifully to vinyl. These albums reward careful listening, offering details that reveal themselves across repeated plays.
Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)
Alternative rock masterpiece. Paranoid Android, Karma Police, No Surprises. The album is layered, dense, emotionally complex. Thom Yorke's voice, Jonny Greenwood's guitars, intricate arrangements.
The 2016 OKNOTOK remaster is exceptional. Three sides of music, one side of B-sides. This is the definitive version.
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Morrissey's wit, Johnny Marr's jangly guitars, melancholy and humour combined. The title track, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, Bigmouth Strikes Again.
Original Rough Trade pressings are collectible. The 2017 remaster sounds excellent. Marr's guitar work benefits from vinyl's warmth.
Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
Baroque indie rock. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Wake Up, Rebellion (Lies). The album is orchestral, emotional, epic.
The original Merge pressing sounds good. This album's dynamics and layered instrumentation suit vinyl perfectly.
The National - Boxer (2007)
Moody, literary indie rock. Fake Empire, Mistaken for Strangers, Slow Show. Matt Berninger's baritone voice, intricate arrangements, subtle production.
The original Beggars Banquet pressing is excellent. The album's warmth and detail reward careful listening on vinyl.
Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)
Lo-fi indie perfection. King of Carrot Flowers, Holland, 1945, Two-Headed Boy. Raw, emotional, unlike anything else.
Original Merge pressings are expensive. Reissues capture the raw energy. This album's lo-fi aesthetic suits vinyl's analog character.
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)
Shoegaze masterpiece. Only Shallow, When You Sleep, Sometimes. Kevin Shields' wall of sound is immersive, disorienting, beautiful.
The original Creation pressing is rare. The 2012 remaster by Shields is definitive. This album demands loud playback through good speakers.
Pixies - Doolittle (1989)
Alternative rock blueprint. Debaser, Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man. Quiet-loud dynamics, surreal lyrics, infectious melodies.
The original 4AD pressing is good. The 2009 remaster is also excellent. This album's dynamics thrive on vinyl.
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
Experimental Americana. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, Jesus, Etc., Heavy Metal Drummer. The album is beautiful and challenging.
The original Nonesuch pressing sounds excellent. The production's details emerge beautifully on vinyl.
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
Post-punk revival. Obstacle 1, NYC, PDA. Dark, atmospheric, tightly wound. Paul Banks' voice, Daniel Kessler's guitars, Sam Fogarino's drums.
The original Matador pressing is good. The album's atmosphere benefits from vinyl's warmth.
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
Intimate folk recorded in a Wisconsin cabin. Skinny Love, Flume, re: Stacks. Justin Vernon's falsetto, sparse production, heartbreak.
The original Jagjaguwar pressing sounds excellent. This album's intimacy suits vinyl perfectly.
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted (1992)
Lo-fi indie rock. Summer Babe, Trigger Cut, In the Mouth a Desert. Stephen Malkmus' guitar work, cryptic lyrics, slacker aesthetics.
The original Matador pressing is collectible. This album's rough charm suits vinyl's character.
The Cure - Disintegration (1989)
Gothic rock masterpiece. Lovesong, Pictures of You, Lullaby. Robert Smith's vision fully realised, lush production, emotional depth.
The original Fiction pressing is good. The 2010 remaster is also excellent. This album's atmosphere is immersive on vinyl.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever to Tell (2003)
Art-punk perfection. Maps, Date with the Night, Y Control. Karen O's voice, Nick Zinner's guitar, raw energy.
The original Interscope pressing sounds good. This album's energy translates powerfully to vinyl.
These albums showcase indie and alternative rock at its finest, all benefiting from vinyl's characteristics, all rewarding repeated listening. Pair them with good equipment and they reveal new details.
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Start the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best Radiohead albums on vinyl?
OK Computer and In Rainbows are essential. The 2016 OK Computer OKNOTOK remaster is exceptional. Kid A and A Moon Shaped Pool also showcase immaculate production that translates beautifully to vinyl.
Are indie albums often pressed on limited vinyl runs?
Yes, indie labels often do limited pressings with coloured vinyl and special packaging. These can become collectible but prioritise sound quality over colour variants - standard black vinyl often sounds better than coloured pressings.
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