I Ranked All 19 Albums in the Indigo Girls’ Catalogue

And I’m shocked how the list came out!

The Logistics: How I compiled the list

I listened to each album, ranking the songs. Then I listened to something entirely different to cleanse the palate, so to speak. Then I listened to the album a second time to see if the rankings were the same as the first listen (because mood and energy can impact your feeling about music). If the tracks were ranked the same, that’s where they stayed. If there were discrepancies between the first and the second listen, I listened a third time to rank them.

Finally, I counted the number of songs in each ranking category, and made a percentage over the entire album. Highest awesome percent was ranked highest, and lowest awesome percent was last. If there was an equal percent of awesome, I went to the good percent. In one case both awesome and good were tied, so I went to OK to tie break.

I decided to include every new song as 1 album.  Any Acoustic will be considered its own album.  Live tracks and acoustics that don’t make up an entire album might be listed in the ranking, but do not count towards the percentages.

Fanning Out:

Wow! What a catalogue. 19 albums in a 33 year (mainstream) career?! I often wish Indigo Girls were given more mainstream opportunities. But I’m certain that’s not what they want, as they are decidedly anti-establishment. They want fairness and equality, and cow-towing to the big-boys for centered-fame is NOT that. And lack of mainstream accolades does not mean lack of respect. Amy and Emily were instrumental in Lilith Fair–anyone who was there will tell you about the comradery the two fostered. They tour all over the country (I’m not sure about the world) and can command any audience, being the engaging professionals they are–believe me, I was at Seattle Zoo-Tunes, I know. Aside, from being musically talented and inspiring, they work for charity and hustle for many political causes. They are amazing people, not just talented artists (they’re that too, obviously). As you can tell by this ranking, and the last paragraph, I am proud to call myself a lifelong fan of the Indigo Girls, and I can’t wait to see what they do in the future!

19.

Beauty Queen Sister (2011)

(7.7% awesome, 38.5% good, 23.1% OK, 15.4% meh, 15.4% skip out of 13)

18.

poisidan and the bitter bug bonus Acoustic (2009)

(9.1% awesome, 63.6% good, 27.3% OK, meh, skip out of 11)

17.

Swamp Ophelia (1994)

(18.2% awesome, 45.5% good, 27.3% OK, meh, 9.1% skip out of 11)

16.

Live w/U of CO Orchestra (2018)

22.7% Awesome; 50% Good; 18.2% OK; 9.1% Meh; Skip out of 22

15.

Holly Happy Days (2010)

23.1% awesome; 38.5% good; 15.4% 23.1% OK; meh; skip out of 13

14.

All that We Let In (2004)

(27.3% awesome, 36.4% good, 18.2% OK, 18.2% meh, skip out of 11)

13.

Look Long (2020)

(27.3% awesome, 54.5% good, 9.1% OK, 9.1 % meh, skip out of 11)

12.

Come On Now Social

(28.6% awesome, 50% good, 21.4% OK, 7.1% meh, 7.1% skip out of 12 and 14 w/hidden tracks that count)

11.

One Lost DAy (2015)

(30.8% awesome, 38.5% good, 30.8% OK, meh, skip out of 13)

10.

Rites of Passage (1992)

(30.8% awesome, 53.8% good, 15.4% OK, 7.7% meh, skip out of 13 and 15 counting bonus tracks)

9.

Shaming of the Sun (1997)

(33% awesome, 33% good, 33% OK, meh, skip out of 12)

8.

Strange Fire (1987)

(40% awesome, 40% good, 10% OK, meh, 10% skip out of 10 w/1 bonus tracks)

7.

poisidan and the bitter bug [1st disc] (2009)

(40% awesome, 40% good, 20% OK, meh, skip out of 10)

6.

Become You (2002)

(41.7% awesome, 33.4% good, 16.7% OK, 8.3% meh, skip out of 12)

5.

Nomads Indians and Saints (1990)

(45.5% awesome, 54.5% good, OK, meh, skip out of 11 

and an interview and 2 live bonus tracks)

4.

Despite Our Differences (2006)

(46.2% awesome, 46.2% good, 23.1% OK, meh, skip out of 13 and 19 counting deluxe)

3.

1200 Curfews

48.1% Awesome; 25.9% Good; 11.1% OK; 14.8% Meh; Skip out of 27

2.

Staring Down the Brillant Dream (2010)

48.4% awesome; 38.7% good; 12.9% ok; meh; skip out of 31

1.

Self-Titled (2989) 

(50% awesome, 40% good, OK, meh, 10% skip out of 10 and 12 counting deluxe)