Here's a list of the top ten most popular Indie Music Artists in the United States as chosen by their play count and scrobbles in Last.fm.

Death Cab for Cutie, commonly referred to as just plain old "Death Cab," is an American indie rock band from Bellingham, Washington. They were formed by lead singer Ben Gibbard in 1997, and have achieved a loyal following of hipsters and emo kids alike.

Some of their top songs are "I Will Follow You Into The Dark," "Soul Meets Body," and "Crooked Teeth."

Popular Indie Albums

• Transatlanticism
• Plans
• Narrow Stairs
  

Indie rock purists will definitely scoff at Modest Mouse being labelled as indie, due to their contract with Sony. Regardless, they are still categorized as indie rock. Modest Mouse was formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington by Issac Brock, Jeremiah Green, and Eric Judy. Modest Mouse achieved significant mainstream appeal by including their song "Float On" with videogames such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Their lead singer may sound like a goat, but hey it sells.

Popular Indie Albums

• Good News For People Who Love Bad News
  
• The Lonesome Crowded West
  
• We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
  

Originating from Baltimore, Maryland, Animal Collective is a new hip breed of indie rock, sometimes described as psychedellic folk or noise pop. Animal Collective's music is hard to describe as it is often experimental and changes from show to show. Some popular indie songs by Animal Collective are "My Girls," "In The Flowers," and "Summertime Clothes."

Popular Indie Albums

• Feels
  
• Sung Tongs
  
• Strawberry Jam
  

Formed in 2000, The Decemberists are an indie folk band hailing from Portland Orgeon. Their frontman, lead singer Colin Meloy, writes many of the band's whimsical lyrics as heard in "Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect."

Now signed to Capitol Records, The Decemberists have performed alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and have garnered critical acclaim. Their success in the top ten popular indie artists list reflects this.

Popular Indie Albums

• Castaways and Cutouts
  
• The Crane Wife
  
• Picaresque

The Shins debuted in 1997 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and after their critical success with the popular indie rock album Oh, Inverted World moved to Portland, Oregon in 2002. The Shins helped popularize indie music with their "Beach Boy-esque" indie pop sound. Some popular Shins tracks are "New Slang," "Caring is Creepy," and "Australia."

Popular Indie Albums

• Wincing the Night Away
  
• Oh, Inverted World
  
• Chutes Too Narrow
  

Wilco comes from the Windy City - Chicago, Illinois.  They formed in 1993 upon the breakup of the alternative country band Uncle Tupelo.  Wilco's alternative country has touches of John Lennon and Neil Young, and is largely considered indie rock despite Wilco's relationships with major record labels.

Popular Indie Albums

• Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
  
• Sky Blue Sky
  
• A Ghost Is Born
  

Contrary to their name, of Montreal is from Athens, Georgia.  Singer and leadman Kevin Barnes formed of Montreal in 1997, primarily as a Beatles cover band. Barnes began to diverge from his Beatles influence, however, with the critically acclaimed indie pop album The Gay Parade. Of Montreal is part of the Elephant Six Collective, and frequently is associated with fellow Elephant Six bands such as Elf Power and Neutral Milk Hotel. As an of Montreal fan, some songs I recommend are "The Party's Crashing Us," "Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse," and "Forecast Fascist Future."

Popular Indie Albums

• Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
  
• The Sunlandic Twins
  
• Skeletal Lamping
  

Spoon is comes from the home of George W. Bush!  Texas!  Well, Austin, Texas to be exact.  Spoon formed in 1993 and reached fame with "The Way We Get By," when it was featured on The OC.  Spoon has charmed listeners with their indie pop sound and has earned their way into this top ten indie music artist list.

Popular Indie Albums

• Kill the Moonlight
  
• Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
  
• Gimme Fiction
  

Architecture in Helsinki is from Melbourne, Australia and they are one of the best indie rock/pop bands out there! The band has as many as thirteen members at any given time, and are responsible for such hits as "Do The Whirlwind" and "That Beep."

Popular Indie Albums

• In Case We Die
  
• Fingers Crossed
  
• Places Like This
  

Panic at the Disco is so good!  They are probably the most popular indie music artist in the WORLD!!!!!  My favorite song of theres is "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" it's so emotional and hardcore!!! !!!