thought id do a thread where we can list/discuss all our favourite albums from Canadian bands past and present. Ill start:



Chilliwack is a pretty good 70's band, that gets a lot of airplay on the classic rock stations up here. Best known for the song My Girl (gone, gone, gone), but there are many gems in their repertoire, most notably Fly at Night. This is their best album.



Often described as Canada's REM, and certainly deserving of that title. Great melodies, often a sentimental or rockin vibe, and incredibly consistent band over 3 decades. This is my favourite album by them.



We all know this one. Just getting it in there first. Probably the best from songwriters Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning with their supergroup cast.



I adore Hayden's work and most of his albums. Folk rock like Neil Young did it in the 70's - unique voice, melodic, atmospheric, and lonely guy lyrics. 'The closer i get' is Hayden's 'On the beach' if you know what i mean.



Bruce Cockburn is one of those guys that should be considered a legend world wide and already in the rock hall of fame, but isnt. Hes been putting out folk rock albums since the 60's, and just keeps on getting better. Hes very politically motivated and has taken part in many causes. This is my favourite album by him and a fairly recent release.



Headwater is a little known upbeat folk rock band from Vancouver. Caught them jamming on the ferry ride to Victoria and have been hooked since. My favourite album by them is 'My Old Friend', you wont regret hearing it.



Junkhouse has a real bluesy trashy garage rock sound. The made the airwaves here in Canada with songs like 'praying for the rain', 'outta my head', and 'shine'. This album has a lot of personal significance to me and my favourite by them.



Of course any Canadiana music list has to have the Hip. One of musics greatest mysteries is why they are only huge in Canada, but i think its because theyve never been given media exposure elsewhere. Regardless, great rock with a twisted frontman in Gord Downie. Day for Night is their 'art' album, lush melodies to an atmospheric backdrop.

And, these days, any Canadian music list has to have Arcade Fire, as well.
Also, I think that a lot of folks forget that k.d. lang is from up North.

And, speaking of Canadaia:

This record, introduced to me by Vancouver's own Radcliffe, is quickly climbing my list of all-time favorites. A very strange album, that sounds like pretty standard (albeit excellent) rock upon first listen. But as you familiarize yourself with it, you come to realize that you don't know it like you thought you did. A deceptively deep, complex, and original album.
Thanks again to Radcliffe, whom I give all credit and thanks for turning me on to this one.

Gotta beat Dumpjack to this...



My favourite classic rock band. Period.

One of my favorite bands from the past few years is from Calgary.

Women - Women & Public Strain

An excellent distillation of a lot of my favorite bands: This Heat, Swell Maps, The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth... Sometimes they sound like a lo-fi Deerhunter or sometimes Liars. They may have broken up already. I really hope not.

From Ode To Joy, but you really can't go wrong with any of their albums.

Shiv, I like your sig. Audition is one mindfuck of a movie.

On to the thread topic. This may be my favorite Canadian album (although I haven't given it much thought):


NoMeansNo - Wrong

Wrong starts with a basic punk/hardcore premise, and turns it on its head. Certain songs are fairly straightforward in the punk vein, but many songs contain jazz elements, funk elements, or just off-the-beaten-path structures. Somehow, though, the album works and is very entertaining, despite some silly lyrics (such as "it's catching up/i'm fucked/a dead duck/ shit out of luck").

Has no one yet ridiculed Chiliwack?

I will always revere Canada for DOA and the Subhumans if nothing else.

LOVE that album

sounds pretty dated now, but i still enjoy listening to it every so often

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SNFU - If You Swear, You'll Catch No Fish

Another great punk album from the 80s. To me, this was the pinnacle of this band, and IFSYCNF really stepped it up a notch from the good debut, ... And No One Else Wanted To Play. This one is mainly straight ahead hardcore, with just a hint of metal riffage thrown in.

and one you probably don't know

I agree 92.30769230769231% (I cannot abide Arcade Fire).

Oh my God- great pick. One of my favorites, too.

Just saw them on their last tour thru Sacramento. They weren't very enthusiastic, seeings how there were about 50 people in the club.

This is a must-have if you haven't seen it. http://i43.tower.com/images/mm107008902 ... er-art.jpg

Hanson Bros are a riot as well.

Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site

i remember Thrush Hermit - they were in CMJ.

nsfw (lyrics)

By no means a complete list, here are a few Canadian bands that I have on my iPod right now that have not been already mentioned. I in no way recommend these to anyone.

Solidly Central Rock/Pop
Hollerado
Library Voices
The Arkells
The Novaks
Young Rival
Huron
The Manvils
Little Foot Long Foot
The Two Koreas
Rich Hope
Sweet Thing
The Paperbacks
Shotgun Jimmie
Teenage Head
The Luna Riot
Art Bergmann
Mother's Children
Memphis
Lions in the Street
Elvyn
Imaginary Cities
Forgotten Rebels
Martha and the Muffins
Pride Tiger
The Sheepdogs
Miesha and the Spanks
The Stills
Tokyo Police Club
The Dudes
The High Dials
Flash Lightnin'
Monster Truck
Dojo Workhorse

Slightly Left of Centre
Slowcoaster
PS I Love You
Cowlick
Braids
No Gold
My Son the Hurricane
Art of Fresh
Little Scream
The Luyas
King Cobb Steelie
The Shuffle Demons
Dirty Beaches

Slightly Right of Centre
Shuyler Jansen
The Beauties
One Hundred Dollars
Daniel Romano
The Gertrudes
NQ Arbuckle
Luke Doucet
Blue Rodeo

A bunch of Canadian punk I used to listen to back in the day... some good, some not so much.

The Nils


The Demics


Personality Crisis


Field Day


The Smalls


Propagandhi


Dayglo Abortions


Forgotten Rebels


Young Canadians

Feed UsA Fetus is a fun and obnoxious album, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to most people.

Yeah, I would definitely file it under the "not so much" category, but it definitely appealed to my immature sensibilities when it came out. "Here Today, Guano Tomorrow" is even worse.

I always liked Dayglow Abortions and the Nils. I have had several people try to sell me on Propagandhi but I've never really given them much of a listen for no particular reason. Probably because I think they're vegans.

Don't forget the Doughboys.

I'm glad this was mentioned. I also like the latest, but this is their best.

I also didn't see any New Pornos listed, but I like their debut, but I wouldn't classify it as Canada's best. It's a consistently good album, but it really lacks the standout tracks that make me want to play the disc more.

Propagandhi is great, but it took me a while to adjust when they changed lineups. I'd go with either Less Talk, More Rock, or their most recent Supporting Caste. That's the best of both eras IMO.

Good call.