CATEGORIES:

These bands are primarily from the ’90s but draw heavily upon a ’60s style, using either psychedelic or soft rock or mod elements.
Influences: Beau Brummels, Creation, the Kinks, Zombies, Beach Boys, Beatles, Powder, Phil Spector, girl-groups, the Jam.

The punkier, more angular side of pop — almost too much noise and aggression for indie-pop (just don’t tell them we included them here).
Influences: Gang of Four, Fall, Rough Trade/Factory artists, Slits, Raincoats, Big Flame, punk.

Commercially successful pop hyped to death
in the mid-to-late ’90s, thanks to Oasis et al.
Influences: Beatles, Beatles, Beatles. and Rutles.

C-86 was the name of an NME cassette release of UK bands in 1986. The “C” comes from cassette labeling (C60, C90, etc). The comp heralded a slew of first generation indie-poppers — Wedding Present, Shop Assistants, Primal Scream, Close Lobsters, Pastels — and angstier acts like Bogshed, Big Flame, and the Wolfhounds. The term C-86 evolved to mean noisy, layered, fast strummed guitars.
Influences: Jesus & Mary Chain, Ramones, Joy Division.

A late ’90s hybrid of disco, electronica, and pop, typically done by French or Japanese producers.
Influences: ’60s soundtracks, Moog music, Giorgio Moroder, French go-go, new wave.

Acoustic, mellow pop, often practiced by the New Zealanders.
Influences: Donovan, Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention, Nick Drake.

Our largest category and the epitome of indie-pop. Jangle is typified by the Byrdsy 12-string guitar sound, while power uses power chords and harmonies.
Influences: Byrds, Big Star, Beach Boys, Zombies, Beatles, Emitt Rhodes, Jam, David Bowie, Badfinger, Shoes, Raspberries.

Typically recorded on 4- or 8-track in bedrooms and garages. Hi-fidelity is not an issue.
Influences: punk, Jonathan Richman, Syd Barrett, Sebadoh, Pavement, John Fahey, Dylan, Jandek.

A term used in the late ’80s and early ’90s to define the sound of Beat Happening and the Olympia scene. Stripped down and childlike.
Influences: Velvet Underground, punk, Richman, Shaggs, folk, nursery rhymes.

Sleepy, soothing heartfelt music, often with a quiet delivery and melancholy lyrics.
Influences: Velvets’ later work, Big Star, Joy Division, Felt, Brian Eno, Galaxie 500, the Feelies, the Smiths.

A term used by the British music press in the early ’80s to describe the crop of upbeat pop bands sprouting in the middle of Thatcher’s reign and the bleak economic recession. Primarily Scottish.

Any bubbly pop with a clean ’60s soft rock sound or slick production aesthetic — with touches of French, Brazilian, and American EZ listening.
Influences: Free Design, Burt Bacharach, the Association, Mamas & Papas, Herb Alpert, Os Mutantes, Serge Gainsbourg, Francoise Hardy, Chantal Goya, Astrud Gilberto.

Shoegaze was a term used by the UK press to describe the wall of sound guitar assault of floppy-haired lads who stared at their feet during live performances. The vocals are usually buried in the guitar mix.
Influences: The Stooges, Velvet Underground, Jesus & Mary Chain.

Not necessarily all synthesized ã we use this term to describe bands that feature organ or keyboards in their music.
Influences: Suicide, Soft Cell, Neu!, Can, Kraftwerk, New Order, Human League, Depeche Mode, Heaven 17, Eno, United States of America.

Quintessentially indie-pop, typically with singers with highish voices and simple/naÔve song structures. “Twee” means wee and cute. Themes are often about love, childhood, sunny days, etc.
Influences: Raincoats, Talulah Gosh, Beat Happening, ’60s girl groups, soft rock.