An "Above Ground" Indie Quiz

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's characters in the play are named Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. In "I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor" (2005), the lyrics suggest that the narrator of the song isn't looking for love like Romeo and Juliet, but instead "just banging tunes and DJ sets and / Dirty dance floors and dreams of naughtiness".

Answer: Dadaism

Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos explained that they wanted the video for "Take Me Out" (2004) to resemble the Dada look, which he claimed was jarring to some people because of its disjointedness. Indeed, Dadaism is known to be somewhat surreal in nature with many different aspects combining to create the full piece.

Answer: Creep

Radiohead's "Creep" did not do well upon release in 1992, but its re-release a year later on their album "Pablo Honey" proved to be successful. The song was said to be so successful inside and outside of the UK that the band grew tired of playing it while touring. "Creep" is one of Radiohead's most covered songs.

Answer: Modest Mouse

Lead singer Isaac Brock said in an interview that the band was experimenting with new ideas in their music with "Float On" (2004). The single, later released on Modest Mouse's fourth album, was somewhat atypical compared to some of their more downbeat songs. Nevertheless, the song topped Billboard's Alternative Rock chart.

Answer: Plans

The path of Death Cab for Cutie is one of indie rock's greatest success stories, yet many indie fans might say that simply by signing with a big label, indie bands discontinue being indie. In any case, Death Cab for Cutie gained prominence in the music world with their deep, sorrowful melodies.

Answer: folk

The Decemberists have a wide range of musical influences, but their songs typically display the down-to-earth qualities of folk music. Their performances often include a variety of atypical instruments such as the accordion. Their songs also tend to have a story-like quality to them.

Answer: Soma

The term "soma" is commonly used to refer to a drug that produces an escape from the stresses of life and in Huxley's novel, the government is the body who provides this drug to its citizens as a form of keeping control over them.

"Soma" (2001) by The Strokes seems to share similar characteristics as taking soma. The lyrics, for example, start off saying "Soma is what they would take when hard times opened their eyes". The dreamy melody as well as soothing tone of the singer also lend to the idea that the song is about a drug-induced state caused by soma.

Answer: United Parcel Service (UPS)

The Postal Service is known for their electropop roots. Their song "Such Great Heights" (2003) received a great deal of fame, and as a result was used in advertisements of such companies as Target and Mars, Inc. But the song is most well known for its use in UPS's Whiteboard commercials, in which a spokesman draws and erases items on a whiteboard which often lead to a revelation in visual form.

Answer: Muse

Musically diverse, Muse delivers to their listeners tracks that are often described as being progressive space rock. Formed in Devon, England, the band has received numerous music awards.

Answer: When You Were Young

"When You Were Young" was included on the 2006 album "Sam's Town". The Killers are possibly one of indie rock's most famous bands, leading many indie fans to "disown" them. Vocalist Brandon Flowers has also stirred controversy by badmouthing other bands, particularly once The Killers had reached platinum status.