Keeping in line with the ever so fun game of listing the "best of", here's my take on the top 10 Canadian indie rock/pop albums of the past decade. I've sequestered myself within this narrow category because if I were to try and discern the top 10 indie albums from all genres I'm pretty certain that my head would explode. There's simply too much quality indie music out there and not enough time or resources to appreciate it all. Therefore, apologies if this list seems biased or incomplete in your eyes. My main criteria in choosing these albums were first and foremost quality, followed by the impact that they had in furthering the indie movement within Canada and around the world, and to a certain extent...yes...mass appeal. You'll note that the two year period between 2003 and 2005 is considered a special era in the age of Canadian indie rock...as is reflected in this list.
10. The Con - Tegan and Sara (2007)
Though probably more popular for some of their singles off their 2002 album If I was You (e.g. Monday, Monday, Monday), The Con is by far their most well rounded, introspective and darkest work to date. Tegan and Sara songs have a way of almost never sounding entirely complete or having misplaced notes here and there, but their unique voices and singing style have always helped to mask their deficiencies. This is most exemplified in the song "The Con" that starts off by having me thing "ugh...this song is terrible" until about 20 seconds in when it begins to build and get continually better. The Tegan and Sara attraction is difficult to explain...maybe it's the twin lesbian angle.
9. Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers (2000)
I'm going to go ahead and say that Mass Romantic by The New Pornographers was responsible for lighting the first ember in what was soon to be the raging fire of the Canadian indie music scene. This album is pop heaven. What makes it pop heaven? One woman. Neko Case. Her strong vocals (the strongest of any Canadian female musician in my opinion) coupled with catchy melodies make this album a simple but elegant feel good experience. The album exemplifies the clear transition from the raw pop-ish Canadian rock of the late 90's (Superfriendz, Thrush Hermit, Limblifter, etc...) into the indie sound of the mid decade.
8. You're a Woman, I'm a Machine - Death from Above 1979 (2004)
Who knew that that a duet composed of a drummer and guitarist could be so LOUD and yet so fantastically good? While driving through Portugal with an Australian colleague of mine during a work stint, I popped You're a Woman, I'm a Machine into the car's cd player. My colleague seemed appalled and asked "What the hell is this?" I happily responded "This is Death from Above 1979. They're really popular back home now", to which he retorted "It sounds like people dying from self inflicted chainsaw wounds". I thought that that was probably a good analogy, except that they were structured and methodical chainsaw wounds. There was a method to Sebastian Grainger's and Jesse Keeler's (co-founder of MSTRKRFT) madness. The music is hard, at times fast, but contains moments of almost ballad-like bliss. Frankly, it's the best anger-management / stress reliever on this list.
7. No Cities Left - The Dears (2003)
By far the most under-rated album and band on this list. Why don't The Dears get more credit for writing excellent music? Is it because their lead singer, Murray Lightburn, is a black male in a white dominated genre or that they sound too much like The Smiths (I'm really tired of the Morrissey comparisons)? Their sophomore album No Cities Left continued where End of a Hollywood Bedtime Story left off, building on their dark and dramatic pop strengths. "Lost in the Plot", "Don't Lose the Faith", "22: Death of All Romance", and "Never Destroy Us" are exemplary pop songs with masterful lyrics. This is what pop music should sound like ALL THE TIME!!
6. In the Future - Black Mountain (2008)
Black Mountain may be the most pleasant surprise of the decade. Who would ever think that a group of musicians could make psychedelic 60's era style rock popular with hipster kids? In the Future is the closest thing to a pure rock album on this list, except that it doesn't sound like a Cream or Zeppelin rehash. Granted the female vocalist does at times sound like Grace Slick from Jefferson Airplane (see video below), the music has a re-invented Dark Side of the Moon feel to it. All I can say is download this onto your ipod, close your eyes, and be transported away to another world (with or without LSD).
5. Set Yourself on Fire - Stars (2004)
Set Yourself on Fire is the first entry from the Arts and Crafts indie machine and possibly the most complete album from start to finish on this list. While none of the songs are amazing stand-out hits, together they weave a beautiful story of romance, love, heartbreak, and just plain "living of life". I recall seeing the Stars at Lee's Palace during their Christmas concert of 2006, where they were still promoting the album (only released internationally in 2005). To this day, it is still the best concert I have been to. Hearing "One More Time" and "Calendar Girls" in such an intimate setting combined with the spirit of the season was magical. One of the Stars' strengths is the seductive interchange between dual lead vocalists Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell. It's almost like watching and listening to the ups and downs of a relationship both on stage and on the album.
4. Old World Underground Where Are You Now? - Metric (2003)
At a time when the airwaves were rife with angst ridden emo bands, Metric's Old World Underground helped usher in the new era of synth pop/rock in North America. It's an album that says "Let's be critical of society, but let's dance to 80's New Wave-like beats while doing it". The songs and lyrics have heavy anti-war, anti-corporate, and anti-Bush undertones, with "Succexy" being the prime example. Lines such as "Let's drink to the military; the glass is empty" and "Faces to fill and cars to feed" are both catchy and witty. The album is much more raw than their successor's Live it Out and Fantasies and vividly expresses Emily Haine's anger and uncertainty both within herself and towards society. The song Hustle Rose is also about as perfect an electronic song as you're going to get. Emily's sexy, raspy and yet sultry voice also helps.
3. You Forgot it In People - Broken Social Scene (2002)
Broken Social Scene...the darlings of Arts and Crafts records. The make-up of their band imitates their music: a smorgasbord of talent, instruments, combined with a cacophony of sound. Made up from elements from KC Accidental, Metric, Stars, Feist, and few other "loose ends", Broken Social Scene could be thought of as the Polyphonic Spree of Canada (possibly later dethroned by the band holding the album at No. 2 below). Simply put, their sophomore project, You Forgot it in People established Arts and Crafts records as the premiere indie music label in the country. Arts and Crafts did for in indie music in Canada what Death Row records did for Hip Hop in the U.S., by elevating it to the mainstream, with Kevin Drew (lead front man for the band) playing the role of Dr. Dre. One could say that this album is The Chronic of indie music in terms of innovation. In effect, the album was a big Fuck You to the mainstream music industry. It only sits at No. 3 because the final two albums below surpass it with respect to compositional quality. "Cause = Time", "Almost Crimes", "Anthem for a Seventeen Year Old Girl", "Lover's Spit", and "I'm Still Your Fag" are essential listening for any indie enthusiast.
2. Funeral - Arcade Fire (2004)
If You Forgot it in the People was the big affront to mainstream music in Canada, then the Arcade Fire's Funeral performed a full 180, by creating indie music that was not only groundbreaking but appealing to a large mainstream audience (strangely enough). Their breakthrough came when they played "Wake Up" with David Bowie (who asked if he could play with them) at the Fashion Rocks 2005 event, providing them with worldwide exposure and instant credibility. Soon after, the album was awarded the Pitchfork, Filter, No Ripchord, and MTV2's 2005 album of the year.
Fronted by husband and wife pair, Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, Arcade Fire exhibit an array of musical sounds and instruments from varying backgrounds. Their instrument "toolbox" includes such instruments as the viola, violin, piano, xylophone, glockenspiel, French horn, accordion, hurdy gurdy, harp, and mandolin; all of which are presented in one way or another on this album. The music and lyrics are heavy on religious (primarily Christian) and spiritual influences, no doubt a result of Win's southern U.S. upbringing. Anyone who has seen this album performed live can attest to the energy and shear awesomeness of the music and their composers. It is simply a modern orchestral masterpiece from "Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)" all the way to "In the Backseat".
1. Let it Die - Feist (2004)
The saddest part of a broken heart, isn't the ending so much as the start. The tragedy starts from the very first spark, losing your mind for the sake of your heart.
Those lyrics, from Feist's album titled song "Let it Die" are what sealed my love of indie music back in 2004. When I first heard this song (and eventually the entire album) all I could think of for a good 10 minutes was "Wow, finally lyrics and melody that speaks and exudes intelligence". Feist is the most popular, well known and respected solo artist on this list, and unlike other popular artists / bands, she actually deserves the recognition. Let it Die is the quintessential "chill" or "lounge" album of the decade. It carries with it rock, pop, jazz, soul, and R&B infusions melded harmoniously into 11 well composed songs. This album represents what indie music is all about: an artist thinking for themselves and expressing themselves in the most honest and vulnerable way possible. No pre-packaged formula is followed. The songs are an intimate look into Feist's soul while simultaneously expressing how we all feel at one moment or another in our lives. Her immediate international exposure and fame following this album also helped introduce and promote her Arts and Crafts friends to the rest of the world.
Honorable Mentions:
He Poos Clouds - Final Fantasy
The Organ - The Organ
LP - Holy Fuck
Neon Bible - Arcade Fire
Live it Out - Metric
Wintersleep - Wintersleep
Reunion Tour - The Weakerthans
Yeah, the only main criteria I used for "indie" was the fact that the majority of the albums were released on independent labels...but yeah..I agree...after about 2006/07, indie became pretty much mainstream.
Slight error above...Neko Case is American born....but she's spent enough time up North that I'll give her honourary Canadian status.
i remember watching tegan and sara in a half empty bar @ Western well before they had a hint of fame.
as a side note, people have often cited the internet as the impetus for the oncoming death of music / record labels etc... a band like the arcade fire would still be toiling away in absolute obscurity if not for the internet... so its a double edged sword.
What about The Unicorn's "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We Are Gone"? Awesome album by a Canadian group.
GOOD list, dude. I think the term indie has to be used loosely, since a lot of these albums became such mainstream hits. If corporate mega giants like Indigo and Starbucks were playing it non-stop (and I can testify that they were), you know this music was pretty popular. This had the dual effect of being both a good and bad thing. Good for the artist because of the exposure they received, bad because the overplay really ruined their appeal (I can't listen to Metric or Feist anymore, sadly).