What the Canada?

An essay on the recent emergence of excellent Canadian music.

Links:

1. Broken Social Scene
   
2. Stars
3. Metric
4. Feist
5. The Arcade Fire
6. Destroyer
7. The New Pornographers
8. Caribou
9. Islands
10. The Dears
11. Young and Sexy
    
12. Sunset Rubdown
13. Russian Futurists
    

I grew up in southeastern Michigan, just a half-hour from the Ambassador Bridge which spans the Detroit River and connects us to our northerly neighbors. There were few things about Canada that I could ever be certain about. The first is that every town must have a Tim Hortons. As the years went on I learned that residents of Ontario (and Windsor especially) didn’t seem too fond of Michiganders (I once had my windshield egged and hubcap stolen while eating dinner). Of course I don’t have to delve into the obvious fact that Canadian people talk funny and have beady eyes. My naïve patriotism was not subdued by the terrible Canadian music played on Detroit commercial radio (like Nickelback, for example). Just hearing that word makes me shiver with disgust.

In recent years I’ve learned to seek out my own music, and I found all the wonderful sounds that exist beyond the radio frequencies I once knew. Now, in what seems like overnight, dozens of Canadian artists have appeared on my musical radar. Canada is no longer just a place where 19 year old Americans can get sloshed and chant “America the Beatiful” while enjoying street vendor hot dogs.

First and foremost is Broken Social Scene. They have established themselves as the premier Canadian (and some would say international) indie rock back. They are actually a collective of Toronto musicians that have accumulated over the past decade. Among the collaborators are members of Stars, Metric, and Feist. With so many pieces in the puzzle things are bound to get hairy. But the band must have excellent direction, because the end result is often incredible. Their noisy, experimental mix-up sounds as if each band member has equal say in creating the music. They cover so much ground and pay tribute to so many influences, and yet their music is remains unique. Their music is an example of many unremarkable parts that integrate to create something extraordinary.

Now to explore those responsible for Broken Social Scene. Stars draw mostly from 80’s acts like the Smiths. They bring together smart orchestration and shimmering pop sounds with an electronic flair. Then there’s the alternating male/female vocals and general sense of awakening. Play this stuff in springtime as the weather is thawing and you won’t regret it. Their track “The Big Fight” from 2005’s Set Yourself On Fire, with its dual viewpoints of an evaporating relationship, was a huge hit on MSU’s Impact Radio in 2005.

Metric have a unique take on new wave. Their danceable rock is effortlessly catchy, but in a way that doesn’t quickly wear out. The female vocals and calculated percussion aren’t far off from Pretty Girls Make Grave or other similar groups. What’s for sure is that Metric puts many new-new wave groups to shame by doing what they do well and with natural flair.

Feist, the one woman project of Leslie Feist, is a mostly lighthearted affair. Her voice flutters with a classic, soulful quality that easily surpasses whatever else is going on in the songs. Feist benefits from not sounding like a singer/songwriter project. The unique instrumentation is at times reminiscent of Fiona Apple, but overall it usually sounds like nothing else. The song “Tout Doucement” boasts French vocals and ragtime piano, and displays some of the more obscure influences involved.

Moving on from the Broken Social Scene theme, another important band is The Arcade Fire. 2004’s Funeral succeeds through its subtleties, and is one of those albums that mesmerizes through its dedication and genuine emotion. David Bowie is an obvious influence, but in a way that allows them to incorporate their own feelings and desires and create something beautiful and new. This is another album where you’ll find French lyrics. It’s just so damn mysterious!

Destroyer began as a single man, Dan Bejar, in Vancouver and has developed into a full band in recent years. 2006’s Destroyer’s Rubies is the coolest release I’ve heard so far this year and will be a guaranteed addition to my 2006 Top Ten list. Another disciple of 70’s Bowie, Destroyer makes glittering indie rock with explosive abilities. “European Oils” is a trademark example of the captivating power of this group. I’m never quite sure what Bejar is singing about, but it sounds significant and philosophical. Don’t miss this one. Bejar has also worked with The New Pornographers, but this group is rarely memorable although it constantly strains to be. Their songs practically beg to be catchy, but usually just don’t cut it.

Caribou is an electronica project started in Ontario by Dan Snaith. 2003’s Up In Flames (under the name Manitoba) came to fruition as a sort of My Bloody Valentine gone electronic. It is beautiful music with hazy vocals and washes of synthesizers, backed by hypnotic rhythms. 2005’s The Milk of Human Kindness found Caribou with less to brag about (some tracks sound like a sonic translation of an anxiety disorder). However, for a real treat, check out the Marino DVD or Caribou’s live performance. Snaith’s real strongpoint lies in his ability to combine video and audio for a truly artistic multimedia experience.

Islands are a slightly goofy indie rock troupe from Montreal who, when I saw them live last November, visually resembled the band in the first Revenge of the Nerds movie (or maybe it was just the electronic violin). They complained that someone stole their recorder and, unfortunately, were outplayed by their opening band (Chicago’s Make Believe). Regardless, their 2006 album Return to the Sea shows that they have some tricks up their sleeves. Although it’s too theatrical at times and has difficulty holding a steady feel, they churn out music that’s often interesting.

Other bands to watch out for include The Dears (more Smiths lovers from Montreal), Young and Sexy (a promising Vancouver indie pop group and another candidate for my 2006 Top Ten list with Panic When You Find It), Sunset Rubdown (a Montreal band with awkward vocals and trendy arrangements for all the hipsters), and Russian Futurists (a one-man recording project from Toronto that is not unlike Caribou).

So maybe the great white north isn’t such a bad place after all. They did invent hockey and they are superb brewmasters. British Columbia has the best skiing (and other perks) in North America. All this noteworthy music seems like it’s here to stay. Although many a Canuck has a funny accent and a general dislike of certain American attributes, we will apparently still be able to count on them to provide remarkable music. Then again…those bastards did egg my windshield.