gregorywood.co.uk

Canada Rocks

Short url | 21 comments

Canada rocks

Start: I love Canadian music. Certainly within the genres of music I’m into, the consistency of quality of the music that comes from this lovely country is fantastic. So here’s me sharing some of my favourite Canadian bands with you; hopefully you’ll find something new you take a fancy to, and if I’ve missed anything, please let me know. I love new music.

First off, let’s nullify the shite. I used “consistency” and “quality” in that first paragraph, and this being the internet, I’m sure some clever twat would have left a comment mentioning Avril Lavigne or Nickelback. Well I have two words for you: Neil Young. He single-handedly cancels out all Canada’s turd (not that there’s a massive amount of it anyway).

(Glen - I’m sorry to be the one to enlighten you, but acts such as Nickleback and Bryan Adams are shite, and should not be played in the office anymore. Thank you.)

Let’s start with some pop music:

I’ve been into The New Pornographers for a long time. Fellow ginger Carl Newman’s main song-writing influences include Brian Wilson, which you can hear in the band’s complicated harmonies and key changes. This is “From Blown Speakers” from my favourite LP Electric VersionThe New Pornographers - Electric Version.

You need flash player installed to listen

Broken Social Scene is a collective of 19 members, and the LP You Forgot It In PeopleBroken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People includes some nifty production and loads of instrumentation. Production and instruments aren’t everything however - you need great songs. Here’s perhaps my fave song from the album, “Cause = Time”.

You need flash player installed to listen

If you haven’t heard of Arcade Fire then you’ve been living under a rock for a number of years. I’m often surprised that such an arty kind of band can have such a mainstream appeal, but then they do write decent songs, and they do write really, really great albums. Unfortunately I loved the highly original debut FuneralArcade Fire - Funeral so much, they’ve since failed to win my heart to the same extent, but I still enjoy them. This is my favourite song of the aforementioned LP, “Crown of Love”.

You need flash player installed to listen

The Dears are a highly underrated band. People enjoy dismissing them because “the singer sounds too much like Morissey/Damon Albarn” - these people are idiots, and are missing this band’s beautifully crafted, atmospheric, dark, orchestral pop songs. My favourite is their second LP No Cities LeftThe Dears - No Cities Left, and this is the first track off it, entitled “We can have it”. I really like how the song builds as it progresses, and note the drum/bass combo when it starts to kick off - super.

You need flash player installed to listen

In fact, that was so good that I’m including another one from the same album. This is “The Second Part”.

You need flash player installed to listen

Also worth a mention:

The Stills, Chad VanGaalen, Sloan, Weakerthans1

1 Free fact: The guitarist and principal songwriter of the Weakerthans used to play bass, sing and write songs in Propagandhi

For those who like things a little more gritty:

Ladyhawk (not to be confused with Ladyhawke, the pop-shite singer) are a group of hard-rocking, hard-drinking guys who play the sort of heavy, melodic rock popularised by the likes of Neil Young. I’ve only got into this band over the past few months, so there’s not a lot to I can say about them. This track is off their second album ShotsLadyhawk - Shots, and is called "Fear".

You need flash player installed to listen

Three-piece bands are great, particularly when they have a nice big sound, so when you come across a two-piece with no guitarist that can make as much noise, you know they’re special. I love Death from above 1979’s dirty, dirgey, disco punk songs – this one is called “Little Girl” and is from their only studio LP You’re a Woman, I’m a MachineDeath From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine.

You need flash player installed to listen

Aside from having an awesome name, Attack in Black started as some sort of hard rock band, but by the time they recorded their debut LP, their sound was magic. A pleasing mix of traditional, new, quiet and loud, this is the the second track on the aforementioned debut MarriageAttack In Black - Marriage. It’s called “Young Leaves”, and the opening riff is killer.

You need flash player installed to listen

As with a lot of bands in this little list of mine, Constantines (please note the absense of a ‘the’) are seemingly underrated. They’ve made a good few albums, all of decent quality, and their latest one, Kensington HeightsConstantines - Kensignton Heights, is a classic. Here’s one of my favourite tracks of this album, it’s called “Trans Canada”, it’s got a nice groove cracking off.

You need flash player installed to listen

Now for some fast and loud:

You can’t mention the words ‘punk’ and ‘Canada’ in the same sentence without mentioning Propagandhi. They have released five consistently excellent LPs over the last 15 or so years, and through their lyrics, videos and PDF thought-pieces included with their albums they’ve armed a lot of fans with some good knowledge, not to mention some fucking awesome songs. Here’s one of my favourites from Surviving CastePropaghandi - Supporting Caste, “Dear Coach’s Corner”.

You need flash player installed to listen

The Flatliners are a band I’ve only been into for a year or so. These youngsters used to play Suicide Machines-style skapunk, but their latest tunes are solid, loud, fast, gritty punk rock, with only elements of the aforementioned style. Here’s “Run Like Hell” of the recent split 7" The Flatliners/The Snips split with The Snips.

PS - I saw them live with my best mate Gilly last week, and they put on a super performance. Very good.

You need flash player installed to listen

Fucked Up are an immense band. I’ve sat here for about fifteen minutes trying to write about them succinctly and accurately, but I’ve failed, so I’ll direct you towards the Wikipedia entry. Here’s a great track of Fucked Up’s second LP The Chemistry Of Common LifeFucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life, “No Epiphany”. I wanted to play you “Year of the Pig” from the 12" single, but it’s 19 minutes long and my bandwidth would die.

You need flash player installed to listen

Time for some pop punk. Chixdiggit! are another underrated band, and they have all the ingredients that make up a decent pop punk group: major chords, catchy harmonies, vocals that are whiny and snotty in equal measure, stupid songs about girls, guitar solos that follow the vocal melody, and a large dollop of Ramones-core. Here’s “Spanish Fever” off their From Scene to Shining SceneChixdiggit! - From Scene to Shining Scene album.

You need flash player installed to listen

There’s a lot more decent punk bands from Canada, but these ones come recommended:

The Sainte Catherines2, Cancer Bats, SNFU, Career Suicide

2 Free fact: My internet-mate Pablo plays bass in this band, so make sure you check them out.

So there we go, all done. I Hope you enjoyed some of those songs and found something new. As a special treat for reaching the bottom, you can download all these songs as a ZIP right here: Download gregs-canadian-tunes.zip (90mb)

As an incentive to get downloading, I’ve included a load of tracks that aren’t on this page - it’s a mega Canada-compilation. Remember to buy a CD or LP if you like something, preferably directly from the record label or from an indie record store; purchasing MP3s is very silly and won’t get you invited to my party. Until next time, enjoy the music and look after yourselves.

21 comments for:

Canada Rocks

  1. Smashing stuff. I learned a lot aboot some bands I hear you playing in the office, and some you probably daren’t play. I personally love New Pornographers’ “Twin Cinema”, especially for that track with the “Two sips from the cup of human kindness and I’m shit-faced” line. Also agree that after “Funeral”, Arcade Fire haven’t quite matched that.

    A few I really like include Great Lake Swimmers album “Ongiara” (brilliant sleeve), and also Wolf Parade’s “Apologies to Queen Mary”, and finally Pink Mountaintops album “Outside Love”. All excellent, but maybe not hard enough for your ears.

    To piss you off, I ask you, what about Celine Dion?

    CollyColly's avatar — 11/09/09 at 18:11

  2. Forgive my ignorance, but why no MP3’s?

    JoyGreg's avatar — 11/09/09 at 18:59

  3. @Joy - at the bottom there’s a link to a MP3 mixtape I made. Download and enjoy.

    @Collison - Yeah Twin Cinema is great, and I liked the Pink Mountaintops LP. I’ve also heard Wolf Parade make some good shit.

    GregoryGregory's avatar — 11/09/09 at 19:10

  4. Excellent post, Greg! I myself am a big fan of the tunes emanating from those vast northern lands.; The New Pornographers and The Weakerthans are all-time faves. My wife and I walked down the aisle to “The Bleeding Heart Show” following our wedding vows, and I love listening to Broken Social Scene while designing. I’m getting into the harder stuff like Propagandhi these days, so I appreciate the guidance. Suggestions for a mention: Destroyer (“Streethawk: A Seduction” is fucking fantastic) and—as mentioned by Colly—Wolf Parade.

    Thanks for all the work you do on this blog—it’s really an inspiration.

    Nick ScheurichNick Scheurich's avatar — 12/09/09 at 00:49

  5. Really enjoying the mixtape Greg, some new stuff on there I had not heard and am enjoying a lot, your blog is one of my favs out there.

    Maybe not your scene but Billy Talent are one of my fav Canadian bands at the minute, also in a more prog rock vein Wintersleep.

    Col BCol B's avatar — 13/09/09 at 08:11

  6. Im gonna have to agree with Col B on Wintersleep—just got “Oblivion” on Last.fm; bloody good stuff.

    Nick ScheurichNick Scheurich's avatar — 13/09/09 at 17:20

  7. Totally agree.

    Other than Mr Young, both Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell are Canadian.

    And those three are some of the greatest songwriters ever imho.

    Sexy.

    Jason CaleJason Cale's avatar — 15/09/09 at 15:49

  8. I would like to point out that I have never, and do never, play anything by Bryan Adams or Nickleback. I’d rather eat shit. In fact the two experiences are probably quite similar.

    You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.

    Glen 'hates Nickleback' SwinfieldGlen 'hates Nickleback' Swinfield's avatar — 15/09/09 at 17:02

  9. Nice one Greg, like always beautifully designed, thanks for the props my good friend, much appreciated :)

    I think you might like malcolm bauld, think Billy bragg meets Bruce meets jawbreaker, ex member of the frenetics and sissy havoc mtl mid nineties punk heroes

    also mtl early 80’s you have to check out the Nils, one of the greatest pop punk band ever

    I’ll include them in the mtl cd I’m sending you

    hope you’re doing well and stop shitting the bed mate!!

    pabloGreg's avatar — 16/09/09 at 06:24

  10. Ok, so I know its a little boring to just add bands to the list.. but!

    Canada is super super good for post-everything guitar-echo-forever rock.

    Essential Listening would be:

    Godspeed You! Black Emperor - The Dead Flag Blues
    A Silver Mt Zion - The Triumph of our Tired Eyes

    iffypopiffypop's avatar — 18/09/09 at 12:44

  11. Thanks for all your comments. Some of the music you’ve collectively mentioned I know already and like, the rest have been added to my “music to check out” scrap of paper I carry in my back pocket.

    Loving your work.

    GregoryGregory's avatar — 22/09/09 at 18:30

  12. great post. One thing: in your Propagandhi section you have the album title as “Surviving Caste”. Should be “Supporting Caste”.

    JamesJames's avatar — 03/10/09 at 19:10

  13. Hey Greg,

    My Canadian mate always banged on about a couple of Canadian artists. Firstly The Tragically Hip, who to be honest I wasn’t into at all, but also Sam Roberts, who was somewhat more enjoyable. You should check him out (if you haven’t already).

    Jim MoranJim Moran's avatar — 07/10/09 at 19:14

  14. Ah, brilliant post! But no Alexisonfire or Moneen? City and Colour for that matter? Amazing stuff..

    TyceTyce's avatar — 10/11/09 at 17:10

  15. Want to hear Canadian music for free? Want to discover even more great Canadian bands?  Want to experience a masterpiece of web design?  You need to visit http://radio3.cbc.ca

    These bands and much more are available to listen to… And make sure to Check out Dan Mangan and Said the Whale!

    DerekDerek's avatar — 19/11/09 at 15:59

  16. Hi-
    Interesting post, but I really wish it was longer and covered more bands.
    I can’t help but wonder what Metric, Stars or Tegan and Sara did not to deserve a honorable mention? :)

    discohospitalGreg's avatar — 19/11/09 at 16:52

  17. Thanks for your comments.

    @Derek, cheers for the heads up on that radio station, I’ll certainly check it out.

    @Discohospital (something tells me that’s not your real name), with respect, it’s up to me to decide how much I write about a certain subject. If you want more you can always write it yourself. Anyway, I only got into Metric after I published this post – I love their latest LP, it’s pop of the highest order. Stars or Tegan & Sara yet to catch my ears.

    To everyone else, if you want to recommend music , please do, but no more “you missed out [insert band name here]” comments please – the tone is boring. Thanks mucho x

    GregoryGregory's avatar — 19/11/09 at 17:03

  18. Greg this is good stuff!  (Also: love the new blog effort and the very excellent About page write-up!)

    Reuben WhitehouseReuben Whitehouse's avatar — 20/11/09 at 10:43

  19. Nice list, some bands I have never heard of.

    For some extremely solid Canadian rock, I’d say my favourite would have to be The Tragically Hip. So many other amazing bands though.

    MiguelGreg's avatar — 22/11/09 at 05:52

  20. You forgot Buck 65!  He’s an immense rapper but not like 50 Cent or Kanye West… He actually has talents.

    daveGreg's avatar — 24/01/10 at 13:04

  21. @Dave, I did not forget Buck 65, I just didn’t include him. Please refer to my previous comment.

    GregoryGregory's avatar — 24/01/10 at 19:54