Why does it seem to the untrained ear that all indie rock sounds exactly alike?

I just got into The National and they are slowly warming up to me and I love The Arcade Fire but everything else seems so bland. Any indie bands with a bit more pizazz?

If you are looking for Rock music with an indie twist you might try Wolf Parade. Also, a prominent member of Wolf Parade by the name of Spencer Krug put out an album last year under the name of Sunset Rubdown (album named Random Spirit Lover). It's definitely different and rocks with the purpose to confuse and entangle, but you might just find it obnoxious.

Otherwise I'd suggest something like The Hold Steady, or The Wrens. Maybe Man Man.

You went to the National for pizazz? I mean, I love the guys, but they don't scream pizazz to me.

Try Chavez or Polvo if you're a hard rock kinda guy.

No they dont. I almost forced myself to listen to them and now Ive picked up on their nuances a little bit that I actually like them.

Alligator has some pizzaz. I kinda like darker stuff. Arcade Fire and The National can be pretty brooding sometimes.

What about Modest Mouse?

I used to love them. For some reason their sound doesnt interest me as much. Still cant wait for their new album.

Dark indie with pizazz...

Try Liars Drums not Dead

I don't listen to the National's records that often, but their live show is amazing.

Portugal. The Man
Or Modest Mouse
Or Architecture in Helsinki

Pavement-Slanted and Enchanted? Would that be something you're after? It's an amazing album.

The Hold Stead - "Separation Sunday" is great.
Spoon is always fantastic.
Pizazz...Maybe some Blitzen Trapper? Brainiac? The Unicorns? Animal Collective's got some pizazz. So do Liars.

I dunno, maybe I'm confused. A lot of indie sounds pretty different to me...it's a pretty broad category.

Who ARE the superstars of indie? Pavement, Neutral Milk Hotel, surely. I think I'd put Spoon and Sufjan Stevens on that list. And Animal Collective. Five, ten years ago I would have said the Olivia Tremor Control.