1. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
2. Arcade Fire - Funeral
3. Beirut - The rip tide
4. The Strokes - Is This It
5. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy
6. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not.

posted 6 because i couldnt decide! :)

All great albums, Especially Funeral.

1 - Guided by Voices - Alien Lanes
2 - Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
3 - Radiohead - OK Computer
4 - Pixies - Surfer Rosa
5 - Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

Not necessarily my favorite albums of all time (although I love all of them) but definitely essential for someone getting to know indie/alternative rock IMO.

^ This. Great ****ing album--contender for greatest post punk album.

Sufjan Steven - Illinoise
Elliot Smith - Any album
My Bloody Valentine - Any album
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
Los Hermanos - Todo Carnaval tem Seu Fim

What about The Swell Season? Glen Hansard. I think James Ihash has got the closest with Sufjan and Elliott Smith on the list. But one band everybody's missing here is Stars.

Los Campesinos - Hold on Now Youngster
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Wavves- King of the Beach
The Strokes - Is this it? (not sure if that's considered indie since they sold out MSG)
Sigur Ros- Agaetis Byrjun

Agaetis Byrjyn is the bee's nuts (translates = good)

1) The Strokes: Is this It?
2) Arcade Fire: Funeral
3) Weezer: Pinkerton
4) Radiohead: OK Computer
5) Modest Mouse: Good News for People Who Love Bad News

Huge Hold Steady/ Craig Finn fan...Awesome list!