Hear Me Out: TEN BEST Independent Rock Records

Nowadays, the word "independent" isn't all that meaningful when it comes to music. Many so-called "indie" labels have been bought up by major labels or, in some cases, created by said major labels to manufacture a false sense of indie cred. An increasing number of major artists have their own labels, so theoretically they're independent artists, although most of them have their distribution handled by one of the Big Three labels (Warner, Sony, Universal). Hell, there's an entire genre of music we call "indie" that is majority controlled by those same three labels. While it's true that there are a good number of labels operating outside the reach of the majors, a lot of artists and labels we perceive as independent have affiliations with the same big conglomerates that force feed us cookie-cutter major label money makers.

It wasn't always this way; there was a time when many artists and labels found ways to not just survive but thrive while keeping no ties to the (at the time) Big Five (BMG and EMI used to be big players). With this in mind, I compiled a list of some of my favourite records that were (originally, at least) put out on independent labels. What you'll find as you peruse the ten I was able to whittle my list down to, you'll notice:

a) Most of these artists went on to bigger things with bigger labels,

b) Some of the labels listed are just as renowned today as the majors, and

c) A few of these records are a primary reason for their label's success.

I know a lot of these don't feel like independent releases, but I've made sure that only albums originally released on independent labels without (at least to the best of my knowledge) major label distribution at the time of release were eligible for inclusion. I've also limited it somewhat by excluding early years when pretty much all labels were independent. So, it's tricky, and I made rules, but it's not like I enrolled in night school for this article, you know? Just go with it; here are my choices for the ten best independent records of all time:

10 DEAD SARA

Dead Sara

Released: April 10, 2012

Label: Pocket Kid

As far as debuts go, there aren't many in recent memory so effective and consistent as that of Dead Sara. Their second album ended up being independent as well thanks to Epic getting cold feet, but their third album is now in the works for Elektra. Whatever happens and no matter how big they get, it all traces back to this self-released mind blower of a record.

9 QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

...Like Clockwork

Released: June 3, 2013 

Label: Matador

After one indie record (1998's self titled debut) and four star-making run of albums for Interscope, QOTSA would return to the indies on album number six. A harrowing, dark and morbid record, ...Like Clockwork took everything Josh Homme had learned up to that point and turned it into not just their best independent record, but I dare say their career defining masterwork.

8 NIRVANA

Bleach

Released: June 15, 1989

Label: Sub Pop

Even if Sub Pop hadn't signed a deal with Universal offshoot DGC to release Nirvana's game-changing sophomore record Nevermind (thereby disqualifying it from this list), I'm not sure I'd have chosen it over Bleach; there's something about this debut that strikes harder and cuts deeper, on a primal level that's hard to dismiss. Of course, it's easy to overstate its importance given the benefit of hindsight, but a more damnable sin is underestimating its place in Nirvana's discography.

7 THE BLACK KEYS

Rubber Factory

Released: September 7, 2004

Label: Fat Possum

Well before they became one of the world's biggest bands, The Black Keys would record their albums in completely indie-minded places, like drummer Patrick Carney's basement and (in the case of Rubber Factory) a tire manufacturing plant that had been closed for over twenty years. This DIY approach combined with the duo's rapidly improving songcraft resulted in a record that perfectly captured the raw spirit of the band and got them a major label contract. It would be six more years and three more albums before they'd hit paydirt, but for many (myself included), Rubber Factory is the band's true peak.

6 REFUSED

The Shape of Punk to Come

Released: April 13, 1998

Label: Burning Heart

When you release what ends up being one of modern punk/hard rock's most influential records, you've done something right. Refused certainly didn't feel that way at first, though; not long after the record's release (and partially due to its initially lukewarm reception), they broke up, only reforming some 14 years later once the record's influence had fully taken effect.

5 COURTNEY BARNETT

Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

Released: March 15, 2015

Label: Milk!

Sony handled distribution of Barnett's debut LP in North America, but its original Aussie release is on her own record label, so I'm counting it. And, considering it's one of my favourite five records of the decade by anyone on any label, I'm taking any loophole I can find to warrant its inclusion here.

4 RANCID

...And Out Come the Wolves

Released: August 22, 1995

Label: Epitaph

Epitaph's legacy was firmly cemented a year prior to this album's release when they put out Offspring's Smash, a record that to this day is the highest selling independent record ever. The thing is, that record hasn't aged all that well, while Rancid's third album remains their landmark record, a 19-song tour de force with barely a hint of filler and, while I can't stake my claim on being a punk authority (and there are a plethora of punk records that could have made this list), I consider ...And Out Come the Wolves to be one of the finest overall punk albums ever recorded.

3 LIARS

They Were Wrong So We Drowned

Released: February 24, 2004

Label: Mute

Hot off the heels of a dance/rock debut that made them the toast of Indie Town, Liars made a bleak, droning, frightening and dark record about witches. TWWSWD was truly their OK Computer moment, where they saw the masses coming and raised their shields, creating a dense and bewildering record that was difficult and impenetrable but holds high rewards for anyone brave enough to give in to the experience.

2 MASTODON

Leviathan

Released: August 31, 2004

Label: Relapse

For a brief period, Mastodon were the most talked about, highly lauded band in metal. Their second record, the dizzying, Moby Dick referencing prog-metal masterpiece Leviathan, got them universal praise and the attention of major labels. When Blood Mountain got distribution by Warner in 2006, many of those closed-minded metalheads bailed. Mastodon, of course, has gone on to a fine career, even besting Leviathan once or twice in my opinion. However, as far as their indie career goes, they went out on one hell of a high note.

1 NINE INCH NAILS

Pretty Hate Machine

Released: October 20, 1989

Label: TVT

It may be just a fading memory now, but it's worth remembering Trent Reznor's humble beginnings. It wouldn't be long before his star rose and Interscope swooped in, but Pretty Hate Machine - yes, the heavily lauded classic that launched the career of one of modern music's most revered icons - originally saw distribution on a tiny label that got its start with a compilation of TV show themes. TVT would thrive for many years thanks to NIN's popularity; as part of Reznor's Interscope deal, the TVT logo appeared on all NIN releases alongside Interscope's through 1995, including Broken and The Downward Spiral. This means the label earned money from the sales of those records despite not actually having any involvement in their creation. Happily, TVT folded in 2008, and Reznor is still going strong and making plenty of money thanks to his film work, record deal with Columbia and his role with Apple Music.

Of course, these are the best in my opinion. Your opinion is probably much different than mine; that's why there's a comment section, so have at it. Oh, and if you have any suggestions for future Top Tens, send some of those too, and I may give it a go on a future column. Thanks for stopping by!