Arguably the best sub-genre of modern music today, not that that's saying much. Is highly derivative of 80s college rock and 90s alternative rock. The overall sound is often highly pretentious, and it is clear that many indie rock artists consider themselves to be musical geniuses. Never mind the fact that the songs hardly ever deviate from standard song structure and cliche lyrics(albeit in a pretentious fashion, utilizing ridiculous metaphors and overblown instrumentation). Still, a step up from the pop punk and party rap on MTV.
Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, TV on the Radio, Modest Mouse, Arctic Monkeys, Broken Social Scene, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. These are all indie rock bands. It should be noted that some of these bands take a garage rock approach, yet the ridiculously convoluted lyrics and delusions of genius remain. Sounds like some people missed the point of punk rock's simplicity.
by MusicIsDead December 23, 2007
Independent Rock Music (?):
Generally, a very broad term that has limited use. Most people who like indie rock are too cool to like indie rock, especially now that indie rock is a special feature on a certain cable network.
Generally, a very broad term that has limited use. Most people who like indie rock are too cool to like indie rock, especially now that indie rock is a special feature on a certain cable network.
Many indie rockers/scensters are always in competition with each other. They see each other in public and examine each other, but don't talk. It's one big focked up, confusing, ultra self-consicious nod that hip people give to each other, but never talk about outside the internet. Indie rock nowadays is all about constantly altering your taste, and trying to figure out why you stopped liking all these great bands, but then realizing, "oh yeah, I'm indie rock"
by Chuck October 5, 2003
also known as independent rock music thank god preps havnt descovered it yet, when they do, indie rock will be ruined.
by FoolyCooly August 14, 2003
Alternative rock that largely rejects the machismo and polish of post 90's alternative rock and has a quirky, offbeat sound and sensibility that is mostly rooted in the underground and college rock of the late 80's such as The Smiths and the Pixies . Early pioneers in indie rock include Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., Elliot Smith and Built to Spill. In the 2000's bands like The Strokes, The Shins, the Arctic Monkeys and scene veterans Modest Mouse have achieved mainstream success largely due to the internet and exposure on movies, TV and commercials. Contrary to popular belief the term "indie" does not necessarily have to refer to the record labels the bands sign to and in fact has evolved to refer to the DIY, non-commercial and "independent" approach to songwriting that has largely defined indie rock. The Killers, Coldplay, Keane and Radiohead are NOT indie rock musicians and Snow Patrol was only indie on there first album if at all.
The Shins, The Dismemberment Plan, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie and Fugazi are all indie rock bands due to their largely uncompromising and non-commercial approach to song writing and there offbeat sounds and sensibility.
by drogaz March 16, 2010
An umbrella term for various non-commercial strains of rock and roll, separate from heavy metal's non-commercial artists. Its origins can be traced back to punk rock and post-punk of the late '70s and the early '80s. That non-commercial nature could stem from the outwardly ugly sound of the music, the wishes of the artist, the effeminacy of the music, etc. Indie rock is a wide umbrella, covering music, such as country/western or soft rock, that the punks would have rejected.
by Domukaz March 2, 2007
A style of music that MtV altered. The true definition of indie rock is music on an independent record label, but commonly misconcepted as a certain sound of high pitched voices and acoustic instruments from bands that are, in fact, on major record labels.
by Aerienne April 8, 2005
Music that Americans CAN NOT MAKE. Interpol, The Killers, The Shins, these are examples of worthless American 'indie' bands. Good indie bands with a message and style include: Babyshambles, The Cribs, The Arctic Monkeys, wow how about that they are all ENGLISH.
by Urban Dictionary September 12, 2005