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40 Of The Most Underrated Indie/Alternative Bands

This music is powerful, it tells a story, and no two songs sound exactly alike...

Caroline Boyle

Jun 27, 2016

Rhode Island College

5337

40 Of The Most Underrated Indie/Alternative Bands

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My taste in music is, well, strange. Some days I find contentment in the rhythmic beats of an R&B song, while other days I desire the peacefulness that comes with the laid-back tune of a good Indie/Alternative song. To me, R&B songs become redundant after a while. The pulsing sounds of bass eventually fade into one another, despite the rawness of the lyrics that frequently make up these songs. While I'm not dissing this genre of music in its entirety, there's something about the first few chords, notes or lyrics of an Indie/Alternative song that grabs your attention and doesn't let go. This music is powerful, it tells a story, and no two songs sound exactly alike. I don't think this game-changing genre of music, especially today, gets the attention it deserves. In thinking this, I've compiled a list of 40 of the best Indie/Alternative bands that have sounds and lyrics capable of making you never listen to another over-played, top-100 song again.

1. Joywave.

Recommended Song: "Somebody New."

2. Grouplove.

Recommended Song: "Itchin on a Photograph."

3. Twenty-One Pilots.

Recommended Song: "Holding Onto You."

4. The Neighbourhood.

Recommended Song: "Cry Baby."

5. CHVRCHES.

Recommended Song: "The Mother We Share."

6. Nothing but Thieves.

Recommended Song: "Trip Switch."

7. Walk The Moon.

Recommended Song: "Anna Sun."

8. The 1975.

Recommended Song: "Chocolate."

9. Two Door Cinema Club.

Recommended Song: "Something Good Can Work."

10. Passion Pit.

Recommended Song: "Constant Conversations."

11. Saint Motel.

Recommended Song: "Cold Cold Man."

12. The Struts.

Recommended Song: "Could Have Been Me."

13. Kaleo.

Recommended Song: "Hot Blood."

14. Fitz and The Tantrums.

Recommended Song: "The Walker."

15. The Kooks.

Recommended Song: "Naive."

16. Phoenix.

Recommended Song: "Lisztomania."

17. Young The Giant.

Recommended Song: "Cough Syrup."

18. Broken Bells.

Recommended Song: "The High Road."

19. Cold War Kids.

Recommended Song: "Hang Me Up to Dry."

20. MisterWives.

Recommended Song: "Our Own House."

21. Atlas Genius.

Recommended Song: "Trojans."

22. M83.

Recommended Song: "Midnight City."

23. The Black Keys.

Recommended Song: "Gold On The Ceiling."

24. Neon Trees.

Recommended Song: "1983."

25. Vampire Weekend.

Recommended Song: "Unbelievers."

26. Foals.

Recommended Song: "Inhaler."

27. MGMT.

Recommended Song: "Electric Feel."

28. The Shins.

Recommended Song: "Simple Song."

29. Bear Hands.

Recommended Song: "2AM."

30. Arctic Monkeys.

Recommended Song: "Fluorescent Adolescent."

31. The Temper Trap.

Recommended Song: "Sweet Disposition."

32. The Strokes.

Recommended Song: "Someday."

33. The xx.

Recommended Song: "Together."

34. Portugal. The Man.

Recommended Song: "Modern Jesus."

35. Modest Mouse.

Recommended Song: "Float On."

36. Robert DeLong.

Recommended Song: "Long Way Down."

37. Tame Impala.

Recommended Song: "Elephant."

38. Cage the Elephant.

Recommended Song: "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked."

39. Beck.

Recommended Song: "Blue Moon."

40. Vance Joy.

Recommended Song: "Riptide."

For the complete playlist, plus a few others, find it here on Spotify.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

40 Of The Most Underrated Indie/Alternative Bands

This music is powerful, it tells a story, and no two songs sound exactly alike...

1. Joywave.

2. Grouplove.

3. Twenty-One Pilots.

4. The Neighbourhood.

5. CHVRCHES.

6. Nothing but Thieves.

7. Walk The Moon.

8. The 1975.

9. Two Door Cinema Club.

10. Passion Pit.

11. Saint Motel.

12. The Struts.

13. Kaleo.

14. Fitz and The Tantrums.

15. The Kooks.

16. Phoenix.

17. Young The Giant.

18. Broken Bells.

19. Cold War Kids.

20. MisterWives.

21. Atlas Genius.

22. M83.

23. The Black Keys.

24. Neon Trees.

25. Vampire Weekend.

26. Foals.

27. MGMT.

28. The Shins.

29. Bear Hands.

30. Arctic Monkeys.

31. The Temper Trap.

32. The Strokes.

33. The xx.

34. Portugal. The Man.

35. Modest Mouse.

36. Robert DeLong.

37. Tame Impala.

38. Cage the Elephant.

39. Beck.

40. Vance Joy.

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

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