They have created that fan base from innovating and daring -- and producing a series of albums of quite outstanding quality. I'm really glad they moved on from The Bends because, as much as I love that album, it spawned Coldplay and its ilk. Which is not a good thing.
I'm new to this thread, and don't have the time to trawl through all of it.
Well done for selecting For Emma, James, which was one of my favourites of the previous decade.
I'm sure they've been said, but I give you:
Joy Division -- Unknown Pleasures
PJ Harvey -- Rid of Me
Neil Young & Crazy...