Decades: '00s Indie

Starting in the mid '00s, the line between indie and mainstream pop started to get blurry. These are the songs that have helped bring "indie" music to the masses.

A panorama of indie rock bands that came into the spotlight in the emerging 21st Century.

Party music. Big, loud, nasty, sweaty, party music from the 2000s.

In the mid-'00s, Canada enjoyed an underground cultural renaissance. Immerse yourself in the music that flowered in Montreal and Toronto, as well as fellow countrymen that inspired -- and those that are still inspired by -- those scenes.

The members of Kings of Leon handpick their favorite songs and influences. Head over to http://facebook.com/KingsOfLeon to request songs!

With three albums and a handful of dance singles, LCD Soundsystem -- James Murphy's pet-project turned stellar live band -- deflected the trajectory of popular indie music in the '00s towards a visceral blend of classic NYC dance and rock music.

Accessible indie tunes that should be the soundtrack for your favorite local coffee shop.

Summery, fun, and jangly lo-fi pop. Grab some friends, pack some munchies, and lie on the grass and watch clouds for hours.

Light, upbeat indie pop to help you start your day.

Said the Gramophone is one of the oldest music blogs, and they're good at two things: finding good songs and writing about them. This playlist is comprised of some of their favorite songs from 2005-2010.

Songs by some of the best female indie pop singers.

With credible indie bands like Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, and The Black Keys licensing their songs for use on television, it's not selling out anymore.

As the '90s became the '00s, indie bands began doing the unthinkable: embracing and creating dance music. Here's some of the best indie dance from the past decade.

Radiohead are always tinkering, restlessly, with their strange yet soulful fusion of rock and electronica. Listen to songs from cited influences and indebted followers while getting a taste of the band's most recent setlists.

This playlist features mellow indie tunes that provide the perfect soundtrack for working, studying, or just plain old relaxing.

For two decades, the Pacific Northwest has been a hotbed for budding indie talent. From Elliott Smith to The Shins, here are the artists that emerged from the rain and the fog.

For the last decade, Brooklyn has been to hipsters what San Francisco was to hippies. From lo-fi noise to electro-dance to old-school soul to ironically glammed-up rock, Brooklyn has something for everyone.

Post-rock tracks ranging from the abstract (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) to the melodic (Stereolab) and everything in between.

Everyone with a soft spot for singer/songwriters knows their Troubadour History 101, filled with songsmiths from previous generations, but here's where you'll find the best of the current crop of artists committed to the crafting of thoughtful tunes.

Have you ever found yourself muttering "These kids today..." while listening to the radio? Stave off incipient fogeydom at any age by listening to these young artists who use the sounds of the '60s, '70s and '80s as their jumping-off point.

It wasn't all peace and love; feel the bad vibes of the psychedelic void with artists from the 1960s to now.

Emerging as an antidote to the glitzy-jiggy rap scene of the late '90s, underground artists started putting out uncompromising hip-hop on small independent labels. Look back on a sometimes underappreciated scene.

Like Vinyasa, this playlist is both flowing and dynamic; some songs function to clear the mind while others work to energize the body. The focus here is on left-of-center acoustic and electronic songs.

Go deeper into the chilly beauty, imagination and melancholy that's at the heart of Justin Vernon's music. Explore his influences, contemporaries and several of the artists Vernon (aka Bon Iver) has collaborated with.

Modern female songwriters inspired by the off-kilter vocal and sonic sensibilities of music maverick Kate Bush.

The classic Beach Boys sound of the mid-to-late '60s has influenced generations of artists ever since. Listen to contemporary artists show off their devotion to the genius of Brian Wilson.

Developed in the 1980s, Math rock is a guitar-based genre influenced by progressive and experimental rock known for using odd time signatures, interlocking rhythms and complex arrangements.

Listen to studio versions of songs performed on La Blogotheque's experimental video series of "Take-Away Shows."

4AD Records is known for breaking some of today's most critically-acclaimed independent artists, including Bon Iver, St. Vincent, The National, and Deerhunter. This playlist features songs released on the label since 2000.

How do indie rockers fit into their skinny jeans? By hitting the treadmill with these uptempo, accessible indie jams.

These quiet, pensive tunes are perfect for an overcast day, either curled up at home or settled in at a cozy cafe.

Low-tempo indie tunes perfect to take your mind off being cramped up in coach, whether you're trying to fall asleep or just get into a zen-like zone.

When you need a break from all the usual renditions of the same old holiday songs, cozy up to these indie-minded Yuletide tunes.

Psychedelia is eternal. These contemporary indie artists explore altered states much like the lysergic explorers of the past.

You meet while reaching for the same vinyl copy of 'Loveless.' You fight your mutual attraction. You seek advice from your impossibly precocious younger sibling. You make out as the credits roll. Your bangs look perfect. This is your soundtrack.

IDM may have originally stood for Intelligent Dance Music, but it doesn't have to live on the dance floor. This cerebral electronica also makes the perfect soundtrack for studying, reading, or simply relaxing.

An exploration of the Latin 'indie' scene through the songs of popular bands as well as emerging acts.

The term "indie" may conjure up thoughts of a scrappy aesthetic, but as these exceptional acts prove, there's plenty of room for a more refined sound as well.

Rowdy three-chord rock from the latest buzz bands and the stalwarts of the indie scene. Crack two tall boys and go dance with that cute guy/girl.

If you're ready for some soothing sounds to lull you softly into slumberland, but your tastes run toward the alternative, here's a heaping helping of hushed tunes by indie favorites of yesterday and today.

Electro/indie-pop from the last decade -- all backed by killer synth -- that's sure to get your toes tapping. Toto, we aren't in the '80s anymore.

Been done dirty by a no-good lover? Fixin' to do something rotten? Vent your frustrations with this sexy, cathartic mix of blues licks and whiskey-soaked rock from today's finest and the legends who inspired them.

This lively and fun collection of indie and Americana music will keep you clapping, stomping and smiling.

Imagine the sun breaking through the clouds as you float down an empty two-lane road; this is the soundtrack to that perfect moment.

Modern indie party tunes with a psychedelic edge. Electronic, beat-driven, and danceable, but with a decent degree of weirdness.

Wondering where you should be on Saturday night? Gather your friends and let this mix of indie dance music be your party guide to a memorable night.

For those of us who prefer a slightly mellower start to the day, here's a selection of midtempo tunes from the mid-'90s rebirth of electronic pop and the current indie artists carrying on in their footsteps.

Infuse your daily grind with suspenseful drama by letting the experimental sweep of these post-rock epics be your soundtrack.

Lively twee pop for friendly gatherings, drinking and dancing. Because adorable people like to party too.

If you're in for a night of alone-time, these mellow and melancholy indie songs will be all the company you need.

You sit down at your gate and are filled with nostalgia for the place and people you're leaving. This melancholy collection of songs was made for that bittersweet moment.