TNG reader, Rohan, brings us this post.

In 2009, while the record industry as a whole is faltering, a few independent labels are thriving and making sound decisions. This year marks the twenty-year anniversary of not one, but three of the most important independent labels currently operating: Merge, Matador and Warp. Hell, in the past three years each has even had their shot at Billboard success. Each houses some of the biggest “indie” bands on the planet and deserve all the praise they receive.

To celebrate these 20-year anniversaries, I’ve created three top 10 lists of my favorite records released from each label, which I plan to release over the next three weeks.

The rules are as follows: One record per artist per label, no compilations (unless it is a compilation of an artist on the label), and the record has to have been originally released on the label (no reissues). If you want to argue any of my choices please leave comments… or find me, and we can get a drink and fight it out. I always love an intelligent music conversation.

Starting things off is Merge.

Founded by Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance, Merge has progressed from a label for McCaughan to release his own music to an “indie” powerhouse, home to some of the biggest artists on the scene right now. Merge is celebrating their anniversary with a five-day festival and a subscription box set. Though I am late to this game—Merge Fest XX took place 7/22–7/26—I still want to put my two cents in. So without further ado, here are my top ten Merge records and a mixtape at the end. Enjoy:

1. Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over The Sea

So much has been written about this record, it is truly is hard to write any more. If you do not own a physical copy of this record, go buy it now.

2. Superchunk – Foolish

This would have been my number one if not for Neutral Milk Hotel. Although it is not my favorite Superchunk record, it is the best Merge-released Superchunk record. I could have put the highly essential Tossing Seeds compilation in this spot, but I settled on a full-length. Foolish is a break-up album that starts with four of the most indispensable tracks from the Superchunk discography: “Like a Fool,” “The First Part,” “Watery Wings,” and “Driveway to Driveway.” From there the gems keep coming. The slower “Kicked In,” and poppy yet heartbreaking “Without Blinking.” This record may not be the best place to start for a new Superchunk fan (the aforementioned Tossing Seeds holds that honor), but Foolish is as rewarding a record as any of its predecessors.

3. Destroyer – Rubies

Obtuse lyrics, epic guitar blasts, oddly placed swear words, Bowie glam. Sign me up. Rubies, Destroyer’s third full length for Merge and seventh overall, is Dan Bejar’s most accomplished LP. Rubies contains some of Dan Bejar’s most obtuse and wild lyrics, that even with multiple listens I still don’t know what the hell he is talking about. Bejar is known to most as a member of the New Pornographers, but Rubies kicks the shit out of any of the NPs’ records, save the first two. Take note Mr. Newman, this is how you write songs.

4. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country

My favorite and most-listened-to album from 2006. Every time I hear the opening notes of “Lloyd I’m Ready to Be Heart Broken,” I feel an energy comparable to that felt from the opening notes of the Pixies’ “Debaser” or Teenage Fanclub’s “The Concept”. LGOOTC , like most Camera Obsucra, is all bait-and-switch. Highlights like “If Looks Could Kill” and “Let’s Get Out of This Country” could get feet moving, but if you listen to the lyrics you’ll be crying. Camera Obscura set the bar high with this bittersweet collection of indie-pop.

5. Magnetic Fields – Charm of the Highway Strip

Let me say this: Fuck 69 Love Songs. Fuck “Washington, DC,” and fuck filler too. To me, 69 Love Songs is a cool project with some great songs, but too much filler. COTHS has the songs, and no filler. I’ll take all the shit thrown for choosing this record, but honestly no one can dispute the beauty of “Born on a Train” or “When the Open Road is Closing In.” COTHS is where Stephen Merritt shines, and if you don’t think so, put this record on again and remember how good it is.

6. Arcade Fire – Funeral

Oh Funeral, the record that: probably made most of you scenesters, launched a thousand other indie rock bands, and cemented Pitchfork as the go-to Hipster Bible. Arcade Fire were the first band to show what blogs can do for you, and if you were in college at the time (probably listening to Dashboard and Dave), it changed your life. Did it change mine? Wholeheartedly, no. So you ask, why is it even on this list? Funeral is one of the best goddamn records of the decade, that’s why. Funeral is an important record, good or bad. And if anyone out there wants to write a song as awesome and powerful as “Wake Up,” I dare you.

7. Spoon – Gimme Fiction

This is the hardest thing I have had to do. Spoon have released four records on Merge, but which do I pick? Honestly this should just read “7. Spoon – Pick a Merge Record.” Girls Can Tell has one of my favorite Spoon songs (“Anything You Want”), Kill the Moonlight is delightful, too bad A Series of Sneaks is a reissue, and no one can deny the success of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. So why Gimme Fiction? Well, Fiction is a self-assured and funky record that just gets stuck in my head from the opening of “The Beast and Dragon, Adored” to “Merchants of Soul.” Plus I am watching Top Chef right now, where they rip off “I Turn My Camera On” in their canned music, thinking about how much I’d rather hear Spoon do it. Today I am in love with Gimme Fiction, tomorrow it could be Girls Can Tell. Whatever the pick, Spoon is one of the most exciting bands working right now.

8. Portastatic – I Hope Your Heart Isn’t Brittle

Everyone has their indie rock crushes. Mine are Stephen Malkmus (formerly of Pavement), and Mac McCaughan. Portastatic, McCaughan’s solo project, works like a lo-fi bedroom version of Superchunk. While later efforts sound like the last few Superchunk records (check out the equally as amazing Be Still Please, and compare it to Superchunk’s last full length Here’s To Shutting Up), I Hope Your Heart Isn’t Brittle is lo-fi, and even with the fuzz it is a fantastic listen. My favorites, “Silver Screw” and “Naked Pilsners,” are good places to start.

9. Polvo – Today’s Active Lifestyles

Do you like indie rock? Honestly, do you like indie rock? Have you heard of Polvo? Well Polvo, who are now reformed, rejuvenated, and releasing a new record this year, released this gem in 1993. While it sounds like its peers—Sonic Youth comes to mind—it holds its own. Today’s Active Lifestyles is full of witty lyrics, angular guitars and just the right amount of distortion and fuzz (see “Lazy Comet”). The first three songs have a hook that sinks in so deep it’s hard not to appreciate the record. If you haven’t heard this one, it is time to use your internet machine and seek it out.

10. Lambchop – How I Quit Smoking

I have not quit smoking (I promise I will someday), but I know what record I’ll reach for when I decide to kick the habit. Lambchop’s second, and arguably best, record piles on booze, emotions and slide guitars for a heartbreaking ride. Kurt Wagner’s ever expanding and shrinking band has since released nine records, but none are as arresting as How I Quit Smoking. HIQS is one of the most engrossing alternative country albums ever made. And who could deny a song like “Smuckers,” wherein yes, he rhymes it with “fuckers.”

Here’s The Mix…

P.S. Playlist.com does not have anything from Portastatic’s I Hope Your Heart Isn’t Brittle, so instead I have added “Noisy Night,” one of my favorite Portastatic songs.