Founded in 1993 by Conor Oberst and his brother Justin, Saddle Creek Records has been providing the world with indie-folk and indie-pop for almost twenty years now. Initially just signing bands from the Omaha, Nebraska scene, SCR's current roster features bands such as Bright Eyes, Cursive, Neva Dinova, Son Ambulance, Maria Taylor and Azure Ray.
5. Someone Else's Deja Vu by Son, Ambulance (2008)
Sweeping epic indie, Someone Else's Deja Vu is a sprawling monster of an album. Channeling a more lo-fi Flaming Lips, the release features ballads and prog on an indie album isn't really a typical action but then again Son, Ambulance aren't a typical band. The album manages to, mostly, pull off what they are attempting, and Someone Else's Deja Vu is probably the most ambitious album on this list.
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4. The Execution Of All Things by Rilo Kiley (2002)
The sophomore album of Jenny Lewis' indie-popsters, Rilo Kiley. Despite recently ceasing to exist, Rilo Kiley made releases filled with smart lyrics and a slightly sarcastic tone about them. The Execution Of All Things was probably their best release, filled with catchy indie pop that avoids being pretentious at all costs with streetwise tracks of heartbreak and luscious instrumentation.
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3. Read Music/Speak Spanish by Desaparecidos (2002)
The, as of yet, sole release from Conor Oberst's post-hardcore noise makers, Desparecidos was, by far, the most abrasive record Saddle Creek has put out to the world. Filled with full throttle 'everything but the kitchen sink' rock, Read Music/Speak Spanish holds nothing back with the band howling, riffing and bashing their way through nine brilliant tracks. Also has the novel, but great, combination of 'Man, Wife, The Former (Financial Planning)' and 'Man, Wife, The Latter (Damaged Goods), a display of some of Oberst's best lyrics taking both points of view in a relationship, think Gotye, but with two songs, and one voice.
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2. Domestica by Cursive (2000)
Possibly the pinnacle of Cursive's career, Domestica showed Cursive bouncing back from rumours of their split in the late nineties with a concept album about the relationship between 'Sweetie' and 'Pretty Boy'. Fueled in part by Tim Kasher's, at the time, recent divorce, and Kasher's just general sheer genius, Domestica is one of the best indie rock albums of the 21st century. Kasher's vocals are, as usual, ridiculously passionate, and the record perfectly displays Cursive's melded together emo/indie.
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1. Lifted (Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground) by Bright Eyes (2002)
The fourth album proper from Conor Oberst's day job, Bright Eyes, Lifted has, by far, the most expansive and mature songwriting of Oberst's career. While mostly working as a fantastic folk album, Lifted veers into the world of country, electronic, and straight up southern rock. Despite being far longer than any other Bright Eyes release, Lifted manages to make every track count, with Lifted being one of the few modern indie rock epics of our times. A must have.
Buy Here
5. Someone Else's Deja Vu by Son, Ambulance (2008)
Sweeping epic indie, Someone Else's Deja Vu is a sprawling monster of an album. Channeling a more lo-fi Flaming Lips, the release features ballads and prog on an indie album isn't really a typical action but then again Son, Ambulance aren't a typical band. The album manages to, mostly, pull off what they are attempting, and Someone Else's Deja Vu is probably the most ambitious album on this list.
Buy Here
4. The Execution Of All Things by Rilo Kiley (2002)
The sophomore album of Jenny Lewis' indie-popsters, Rilo Kiley. Despite recently ceasing to exist, Rilo Kiley made releases filled with smart lyrics and a slightly sarcastic tone about them. The Execution Of All Things was probably their best release, filled with catchy indie pop that avoids being pretentious at all costs with streetwise tracks of heartbreak and luscious instrumentation.
Buy Here
3. Read Music/Speak Spanish by Desaparecidos (2002)
The, as of yet, sole release from Conor Oberst's post-hardcore noise makers, Desparecidos was, by far, the most abrasive record Saddle Creek has put out to the world. Filled with full throttle 'everything but the kitchen sink' rock, Read Music/Speak Spanish holds nothing back with the band howling, riffing and bashing their way through nine brilliant tracks. Also has the novel, but great, combination of 'Man, Wife, The Former (Financial Planning)' and 'Man, Wife, The Latter (Damaged Goods), a display of some of Oberst's best lyrics taking both points of view in a relationship, think Gotye, but with two songs, and one voice.
Buy Here
2. Domestica by Cursive (2000)
Possibly the pinnacle of Cursive's career, Domestica showed Cursive bouncing back from rumours of their split in the late nineties with a concept album about the relationship between 'Sweetie' and 'Pretty Boy'. Fueled in part by Tim Kasher's, at the time, recent divorce, and Kasher's just general sheer genius, Domestica is one of the best indie rock albums of the 21st century. Kasher's vocals are, as usual, ridiculously passionate, and the record perfectly displays Cursive's melded together emo/indie.
Buy Here
1. Lifted (Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground) by Bright Eyes (2002)
The fourth album proper from Conor Oberst's day job, Bright Eyes, Lifted has, by far, the most expansive and mature songwriting of Oberst's career. While mostly working as a fantastic folk album, Lifted veers into the world of country, electronic, and straight up southern rock. Despite being far longer than any other Bright Eyes release, Lifted manages to make every track count, with Lifted being one of the few modern indie rock epics of our times. A must have.
Buy Here
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