10 Worst Indie Songs 2008

The 10 worst indie songs of 2008 might not be universally deemed horrible. What one person listens to religiously, another person may find repulsive. Regardless, these indie songs are pretty stinking bad. Below, you’ll find the songs from 2008 that you should never expose your ears to.

1. The Friendly Fires – “Paris”. The song starts off with an obnoxious faux dance beat, and gets no better from there. It’s annoyingly poppy, has chorus and verse sections that simply don’t go together, and is adorned with terrible lyrics sung in a weak falsetto. No thanks.
2. Los Campesinos! – “Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks”. Los Campesinos! came out with one of the best indie albums of 2008 despite the presence of this song. Though the rhythm and melody are decent on their own, the lead singer’s conspicuous accent serves only to ruin the feel of the song entirely.
3. Beach House – “Gila”. Beach House has written some great dream pop tunes in the past few years. This 2008 indie song is not one of them. The instruments don’t meld well at all, and there is nearly zero melody in the chorus. The song is well below this band’s standards.
4. TV on the Radio – “Dancing Choose”. This indie song from 2008 sticks out like a sore thumb on TV on the Radio’s fantastic album “Dear Science”. Whereas the rest of the album takes its time and devotes itself to an atmosphere, “Dancing Choose” feels rushed and out of place.
5. Fleet Foxes – “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”. This 2008 indie song is not exemplary of the rest of the Fleet Foxes catalog. They’re at their best when harmonizing on clean, to-the-point folk songs. “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” instead meanders gradually into boring territory.
6. Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk”. Vampire Weekend made quite a few waves with their 2008 eponymous debut. Unfortunately, it’s lead single, “A-Punk” lacked most of the qualities that make the band interesting.
7. MGMT – “Time to Pretend”. As an indie band, MGMT makes good electronic and psychedelic music. Their 2008 song “Time to Pretend”, however, is a complete abandonment of this in favor of chart topping pop. Just because a song is catchy doesn’t mean it’s good.
8. The Hold Steady – “Sequestered in Memphis”. The Hold Steady is an easy band to like, because they’re familiar. Their sing-along riffs and the lead singer’s vocal delivery are Bruce Springsteen to a tee. While they might be likable, the borrowing is just too obvious on their 2008 indie song “Sequestered in Memphis”.
9. Women – “Black Rice”. Though Women are a well liked and respected lo-fi indie band, this 2008 song just doesn’t sit well. It sounds like an early ‘60s rock band recording in terrible shape. But, then again, maybe that’s the point.
10. Deerhunter – “Calvary Scars”. Deerhunter’s 2008 indie album “Microcastle” was arguably among the best of the year. But every great album has one or two dud tracks. This song is among the worst because it drones, and drones, and drones. two chords; for ten minutes. No matter how avant-garde you like your music, that kind of song structure wears on you.