Last year I got some fun back and forth and controversy in the comments regarding what was “indie” and what was not. This year I’d like to add an important disclaimer… if music is in this “best indie” list it’s because it feels indie to me. There is no organization dedicated to defining and standardizing what is indie and what is not. “Signed” artists who got their start through grassroots efforts do not become less “indie” to me just because they have an opportunity to make more money by earning a larger audience of listeners. So please, listen to the music and if you find half the beauty in it that I have then my purpose has been served. But lets not quibble over what meets some elitist’s ideal of what is and is not indie enough to make a “best of indie” list.
This year I didn’t find it as simple a task at finding new music that simply blew my mind. Plenty of good albums and artists that I’ll share in later posts, but I think I’m limiting the “best of 2009″ list to just 10. So without further adieu, and in no particular order, the only 10 songs from 2010 that absolutely blew my mind:
- Not a Robot, But a Ghost Andrew Bird from Noble Beast
- My Girls Animal Collective from Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Melody Kate Earl from Introducing Kate Earl – EP
- In For the Kill La Roux from In For the Kill
- What a Way The Mint Chicks from Screens
- Albatross, Albatross, Albatross Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band from Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
- Lemmings Anthem the Oohlas from Chinchilla
- Moth’s Wings Passion Pit from Manners
- Happy Up Here Röyksopp from Junior
- Castle Uuvvwwz from Uuvvwwz
