Why has indie rock become so wispy and gentle?

Question

There used to be all these amazing yet loud groups around during the late 80’s-early 90’s. Names like Husker Du, Jesus and Mary Chain, Mudhoney, Pu**y Galore and Royal Trux come to mind. Today it seems like the face of independent rock has moved more in the direction of critically acclaimed soft rock. Now it’s all about bands like Okkervil River, Feist and my favorite Clap Your Hands and Say BLAH. What happened to the noise?

Answer 1

It's simply the "flavor of the month" right now. Being a fan of indie music became sort of a trend a few years ago and like any trend, it gets done to death.

I'm ever faithful that there are indie acts that want to wake everyone up from the gentler, more adult alternative sounds of Feist but they will remain underground for truly interested fans to dig and find.

Bottom line - don't depend on commercial radio to introduce you to indie music...because what you'll get is pop music disguised as indie. Hmm, I'm feeling a Scooby-Doo moment: They would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for us meddling kids!

Answer 2

You know what's funny, I've actually never thought about this before so this is all off the top of my head. I think it's got a couple components. First off, I think Belle and Sebastian getting their degree of success has a lot to do with it. I remember when they became pretty much the Peyton Manning of the indie rock community, and I think in a way they made room for the Shins and their successes. There was a whole new finesse and melodic style that they brought to the forefront. I also think groups like the Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse have made the more falsetto-y vocal style fashionable.
Another part of it is, I think, a reaction to the heavier mainstream movement. As the mainstream gets heavier, the indie music gets more melodic.
There is also the fact, for fans in my age group, that the indie heroes that I came up with are starting to get a little older and minus Sonic Youth (who still rock somehow, I'm really suprised they're not all deaf) starting to mellow out. Frank Black has gone from college rock to college professor rock, Built to Spill is still great, but they've gotten fuller and more finessed. Low-fi is going away because equipment is becoming more accessible and affordable.
Also, I think the genre is being defined more now as a sound than before with there being so much more stuff that can technically be considered "indie." I think that for a genre there has to be a sound (where before it was more encompasing) and I think the Belle and Sebastians, the Shins', and the Clap Your Hands Say Yeahs are what was looked to as a definition.
I don't know, these are all just random thoughts, but I agree with Sookie, this is all cyclical. Eventually someone is going to come up with a new sound that will be a bit more abrasive and a gradual shift will take place.

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that's funny Buzzkill. Remove the face from the chick from Feist only to find that it's been Jason Mraz wearing a mask all along.

Answer 3

Well not everyone is unhappy with the world or they dont need to be loud to express their disenchantment with it.

Husker Du's Bob Mould has softened a bit or the years. So did Jesus and the Mary Chain in later albums like Stoned and Dethroned.

Many bands have looked for inpsiration in more classic folk rock sounds or softer 80's electronic influences.

I quite enjoy Clap your hands say yeah, Wilco and Okkervill River along with The National. I also still love the bands you mentioned and i grew up with those bands, but my tastes have changed a bit a 38 years old.

If you still like the harder sound, check out A Place to Bury Strangers, quite a good shoegazer meets JAMC.

Answer 4

Well.... I think the "noise" got popular. A lot of the bands you mentioned went on to at least semi-mainstream success in the 90s. Now, the bigger labels are grabbing the "noise" makers, and the singer-songwriter types are all that are left for the indy labels to pick over.

Now, I could be completely wrong about that, and it wouldn't be the first time (or the last); but that's just an opinion that is based on my belief that I know enough about anything to make a statement, even though in reality, I probably don't know Jack or any of his cousins.






NP: "The Best Song in the World" - Wig Wam

Answer 5

I am not sure if the actual indie genre has changed, or just what is considered "indie". I think music as a whole has sort of changed in that way. Music is constantly changing, and therefore, sometimes the same generic terms get applied to genres, even if the sound and spirit of the music is no longer the same.

Answer 6

There are lots of indie bands that still have the sound you want. You just have to really look for them. Here are a few unsigned indie bands that I love.

Man in Gray
http://maningray.com/

Western Civ
http://www.westerncivrock.com

Gold Streets
http://www.goldstreetsnyc.com/

Answer 7

I answered a question the other day about the popularity of different vocal tones. I think it's cyclical, and I believe this follows a similar pattern. When people get bored with the quiet stuff they will move back to the noise.

At least I hope so.

Answer 8

lol- kinda true, it seems. It might be because of changing tastes. In the 90s, a lot of it was sort of based around the grunge trend. This softer stuff might simply be the pendulum swinging in the other direction...for now.

Answer 9

Woah woah woah, Not all indie bands are light, I mean, have you listened to all kinds of indie bands you can? I know a whole bunch of hard rock indie bands in my area. Richmond/Charlottesville,VA.

Look for This Means You. They might solve your problem

Answer 10

it is a bit pathetic the way people call things ike Franz Ferdinand and so on indie, most people now (litterally) dont know the meaning of indie rock, the scene has become shambles!