This is based on two RiotRiot posts (by Dan Weiss):
See those files for commentary. The idea here is to copy the lists (fixing the order problem), while adding a checklist of albums I've heard (as of September 2, 2024, although as I use the checklist, I may add a few later listens, up to ?). Initial idea is to list all A- or higher albums (my grades in brackets), or if there are none, to list whichever album I've heard that I've rated highest (tie-breaker arbitrary).
I will warn you that I'm not much of a fan of this particular genre -- my interest and enjoyment have gradually declined, at least since the early 1990s, when I was underwhelmed by first Nirvana and then Sleater-Kinney (although I liked Pavement and L7 a lot). I still check out most well-regarded groups (unless their rep is metal, which despite early interest I almost never care for these days). On first pass, I had heard something or other from 37 of these 50 bands, and now I'm likely to hear a few more before long.
Sheer Mag: Compilation (2014-16 [2017], Wilsuns RC) [B+(***)] — + 5
Wednesday: Rat Saw God (2023, Dead Oceans) [B+(*)] — + 1
Gouge Away:
Yo La Tengo: Ride the Tiger (1986, Matador) [A-]
— President Yo La Tengo (1989, Twin/Tone) [A-]
— May I Seng With Me (1992, Alias) [A-]
— Electr-O-Pura (1995, Matador) [A-]
— I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (1997, Matador) [A-]
— Summer Sun (2003, Matador) [A-]
— This Stupid World (2023, Matador) [A-]
— + 11
Militarie Gun: Life Under the Gun (2023, Loma Vista) [B]
The Paranoid Style: The Purposes of Music in General (2013, Bar/None) [A-]
— Rolling Disclosure (2016, Bar/None) [A-]
— A Goddamn Impossible Way of Life (2019, Bar/None) [A-]
— The Interrogator (2024, Bar/None) [A-]
— + 4
The Chisel: Retaliation (2021, La Vida Es Un Mus) [B+(*)] — + 1
Alvvays: Antisocialites (2017, Polyvinyl) [B+(**)] — + 2
Big Thief: U.F.O.F. (2019, 4AD) [A-]
— Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You (2022, 4AD) [A-]
— + 3
Wussy: Funeral Dress (2005, Shake It) [A-]
— Funeral Dress II (2011, Shake It) [A-]
— Strawberry (2011, Shake It) [A-]
— Buckeye (2005-11 [2012], Damnably) [A]
— Attica (2014, Shake It) [A]
— Forever Sounds (2016, Shake It) [A-]
— + 9
Pissed Jeans: Half Divorced (2024, Sub Pop) [B+(*)] — + 1
The Tubs: Dead Meat (2023, Trouble in Mind) [B+(*)]
High on Fire:
Pylon Reenactment Society: Magnet Factory (2024, Strolling Bones) [B+(***)]
The Smile: A Light for Attracting Attention (2022, XL) [B+(*)] — + 1
Kvelertak:
The Beths: Expert in a Dying Field (2022, Carpark) [B+(***)] — + 2
Les Savy Fav: Let's Stay Friends (2007, Frenchkiss) [A-] — + 2
Speedy Ortiz: Major Arcana (2013, Carpark) [B+(**)] — + 4
Sleater-Kinney: The Hot Rock (1999, Kill Rock Stars) [B+] — + 12
Shellac:
Low Cut Connie: Get Out the Lotion (2011, self-released) [A-]
— Call Me Sylvia (2012, self-released) [A-]
— Hi Honey (2015, Ardent Music/Contender) [A-]
— + 5
Pest Control: Don't Test the Pest (2023, Quality Control HQ) [B+(*)]
Bacchae: Next Time (2024, Get Better) [B+(***)]
Meet Me @ the Altar:
Mannequin Pussy: Patience (2019, Epitaph) [B+(**)] — + 2
Still House Plants: If I Don't Make It, I Love U (2023, Bison) [B-]
Wimps: City Lights (2023, Youth Riot) [B+(***)]
Filth Is Eternal:
Be Your Own Pet: Be Your Own Pet (2006, Ecstatic Peace) [A-] — + 3
Vampire Weekend: Contra (2010, XL) [A]
— Modern Vampires of the City (2013, XL) [A-]
— + 3
Snõõper: Super Snõõper (Third Man) [B+(***)]
Yard Act: The Overload (2022, Island) [A-] — + 2
Gel: Only Constant (2023, Convulse) [B]
DIIV: Ohsin (2012, Captured Tracks) [B+(**)] — + 2
Couch Slut:
Feeble Little Horse: Girl With Fish (2023, Saddle Creek) [B+(***)]
Wet Leg: Wet Leg (2022, Domino) [B+(***)]
Ratboys: The Window (2023, Topshelf) [B+(***)] — + 1
Sumac:
Tyvek: Overground (2023, Ginkgo) [A-]
Spiritual Cramp:
Drop Nineteens:
Ekko Astral: Pink Balloons (2024, Topshelf) [B+(***)]
Bar Italia: Tracey Denim (2023, Matador) [B+(***)] — + 1
Drug Church:
The HIRS Collective:
Los Campesinos!: Hold on Now, Youngster . . . (2008, Arts & Crafts) [B+(***)]
X: More Fun in the New World (1982, Elektra) [B+] — + 8
Amyl and the Sniffers: Amyl and the Sniffers (2019, ATO) [A-]
— Comfort to Me (2021, Rough Trade) [A-]
Brad Luen commented with this "don't overthink it" list (line numbering added, original was broken into chunks of five):