Late Night Music Midsummer Classic Edition Part 189....."Pass Me The Puck, I'm STILL A Canuck!"
I originally wanted to put this out on Canada Day July 1, but I got kinda sidetracked. Here you are my Canadian friends.
In order to be considered for this list, the artist or band had to all be from Canada. Also, you could have not have been featured on either of the previous 2 Canadian lists eh?
"Legacy"- Fefe Dobson. Toronto pop diva Fefe Dobson starts off this list with this 2013 single from her latest album Firebird. While having elements of typical pop diva, Dobson brings a touch of pop punk grundge that kinda screams 1990's Seattle garage band. This pretty literal video received heavy rotation in Canada. Dobson is a mix of Jamaican, Native American, and European which really shows the cultural diversity of a city like Toronto. Her diversity as a person shows in her musical styles which had led to her have a very successful career north of the border.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_crwtc34k
"Working For The Weekend"- Loverboy. Calgary's favorite sons Loverboy hit #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 when this song from their hit album Get Lucky found its way onto the American charts. Lead singer Mike Reno is an awesome singer, but he always struck me as a guy who looks like he fixes air conditioners or something and dresses up as a rock star to try get women or something. After establishing a rock sound on their debut album in 1979, Get Lucky and this single proved to be a more pop sound that proved to be widely more successful for Loverboy, with this song still being a staple at shows and a true 80's anthem. Like most 80's videos, the corny "live performance" is featured here with Reno wearing his signature red headband while the band plays with a dark background to an imaginary crowd. I NEVER saw that during the 1980's right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL8G5pBZ5CI
"Rule the World"- Walk Off The Earth. This Hamilton, Ontario band definitely sounds cool, and definitely makes me want to rule the world after hearing this latest single from their newest album Sing It All Away. This single peaked at #22 on the Canadian Hot 100 earlier this year, proving that the ska sound from the early 2000's isn't quite dead. I have to say I am impressed with the current state of chart topping songs being bad hip hop, bubble gum pop, wanna be rockers, or "outlaw country", hearing this ska/punk song on a current singles chart. Also, Ellie Goulding lookalike Sarah Blackwood is super freaking hot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukigjUvwAR4
"Complicated"- Avril Lavigne. I am gonna go ahead and admit that this song is one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures. Belleville, Ontario product Avril Lavigne struck gold in 2002 when this single from her debut album Let Go peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her 2 Grammy nominations including Song of the Year. The words to this song are actually quite deep and complex, and after about 10 times really listening to it, it really clicked with me. You can almost compare Avril Lavigne to be a Canadian hard rock Taylor Swift because she was a young starlet who was writing songs about boys who hurt her when she was 15. Despite the seemingly trivial trials in her life, we were left with catchy tunes and songs that really make you think sometimes more than you care to admit. Sound like any American female artists? I'm just saying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NPBIwQyPWE
"The Suburbs"- Arcade Fire. Montreal's family folk group Arcade Fire made a huge splash in 2011 when this title track from their third studio album took home the Grammy for Album of the Year solidifying their place in Canadian music lore. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and gave Arcade Fire a boost to their already sizeable American following. Maybe it's just me, but I've always wondered how non French bands have done in Montreal when English obviously is not the main language. Any one want to contribute to that thought? Anyway, sorry for getting off track. This song reminds me of a cross between Band of Horses and The Avett Brothers. Honestly, I just put this song here because I wanted Lewis to be able to say I included them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM
"The Monster"- Anth and Sasha Laine. Here are two super talented artists you don't know but need to know! Former member of the Toronto girl group Queen of Hearts Sasha Laine joins Toronto hip hop artist Anth here for a sensational cover of Eminem and Rihanna's "The Monster". One of the hottest women in Canadian music and one of the most diverse backgrounds, Laine should be headed to the top of the Canadian charts in the very near future. Her hypnotizing voice and looks are a rare combination of beauty and talent. I seriously love this woman singing me to sleep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b0n_R96sH4
"Moves"- The New Pornographers. I had to feature at least one Canadian West Coast group. Vancouver's The New Pornographers led off their 2011 album Together with this catchy tune and quite hilarious video featuring SNL's Bill Hader and Paul Rudd ("Anchorman", "Dinner for Shmucks") in the opening moments make for quite a hilarious concept. This video in a way makes me think Blink 182 meets the Foo Fighters meets "We Are Spinal Tap". This song was featured in commercials for T-Mobile, Hyundai, and the opening credits for the NBC sitcom "Go On". Just for everyone wondering out there, the band claims they got their name after watching a Japanese movie called "The Pornographers". The humor behind that story is way too deep to get into right here. On another note, it is really good to see bands still making videos in 2011 like they're still on TV or something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYyu5vbwvbA
"Unkind"- Sloan. Now switching coasts, power pop quartet Sloan originates out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is the pride of the Atlantic provinces. This single from their 2011 album The Double Cross marked the band's return the charts after a long hiatus when it peaked at #16 Canadian Alternative Charts. I watch this video and I immediately think The Proclaimers- I seriously wanna sing "500 Miles". Anyway, Sloan has had quite a successful career north of the border, most notably in their home Nova Scotia where they remain one of the most popular bands to ever come out of the area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6JqLk66oSY
"The Hills"- The Weeknd. Toronto rapper The Weeknd hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 recently with this lead single from his upcoming album Beauty Behind the Madness. Dark and introspective, this single has been praised by critics and fans alike. Using it's hook from Wes Craven's 1977 horror film "The Hills Have Eyes", this song goes surprisingly dark but yet stays very deep into the singer's feelings. I have never been crazy about this genre, but I have to admit that I am impressed by the talent and artistic ability The Weeknd shows on this track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzTuBuRdAyA
"Bobcaygeon"- The Tragically Hip. This single from Kingston, Ontario's The Tragically Hip became one of their biggest hits ever when it was included on their 1999 album Phantom Power where it peaked at #3 on the Canadian Hot 100 and won the Juno Award for Song of the Year. This ode to a to the small community of Bobcaygeon in southeast Ontario. The Tragically Hip, like a few other artists on this list, tend to mix acoustic country with country rock to make for a sound that seems to be quite popular with indie bands in Canada and the United States. I don't understand this video, but I really like this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6QDjDPRF5c
"If I Had A Million Dollars"- The Barenaked Ladies. You knew this one was coming. Toronto band the Barenaked Ladies took the world by storm with their hit single "One Week" from their 1998 album Stunt. However, in 1996, they released their debut album and what many of their true fans consider their best album, Gordon. That album featured fan favorites "Brian Wilson", and this song here which peaked at #13 on the Canadian Hot 100. This song has become a fan favorite and has mockingly been played by several major league baseball teams when Alex Rodriguez is at bat in their home stadium. A karaoke fixture around the world, this song remains one of the band's favorite songs. Interestingly enough, the song was actually born as an improv song that co-writers Steven Page and Ed Robertson wrote together while working at a summer camp. Talk about taking it a long way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8zdNe_l3M8
"Taking Care Of Business"- Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Most people forget that these guys who joined the rock game in the 1970's were actually from Winnipeg, also home of my man Chris Jericho. BTO hit it big in 1974 when this single from their sophomore album Bachman-Turner Overdrive II peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Canadian Hot 100. This milestone rock anthem helped establish BTO into a household name by the mid 1970's and even spawned a movie in which the Cubs actually won the World Series. Actually a really funny movie if you haven't seen it. The riffs in this song are some of the most famous in rock history, as this song remains a heavily covered for several bands still today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dSzaScsWh4
"Same Sea"- Lights. Lights is the stage name for Timmins, Ontario singer Valerie Anne Poxleitner. This catchy single for the electro pop singer was featured on her latest album Little Machines. Songs like this helped Little Machines peak at #5 on the Canadian Albums Chart and #34 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. She sort of reminds me of a female Owl City, which makes her a lot more fun to look at. I love her instrumental choices as well as her vocal voice overs that make for really cool harmony. This is one song that could get me really jumping around a room, but don't worry I didn't this time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tjblu5jaBM
"Addicted"- Simple Plan. I have to admit, I only found out recently that Simple Plan was from Montreal. Again, maybe I am giving an unfair stereotype, but I always pictured everyone from Montreal being French. Oh well, I guess I was wrong. This single from the band's 2002 debut album No Pads, No Helmets....Just Balls put them in the American mainstream after gaining heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels. While peaking at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, Simple Plan would ride the momentum to their next single "Perfect" which would peak at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. With a super punk pop sound that would be greatly received by a young American audience, the debut album would go on to sell 2,000,000 copies capitalizing on the brief punk pop revolution of the early 2000's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvpNa5O-0-8
"One Thing"- Finger Eleven. Burlington, Ontario rock band Finger Eleven opened for Creed in Jackson in 2001. I can't believe I remember that especially seeing how I wasn't there. 2 years later, Finger Eleven would make their biggest splash ever in the United States when this single from their 2003 self-titled fourth album peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song also gained mainstream exposure being used on several TV and commercial broadcasts. The critically acclaimed and VMA award winning video gave fans a glimpse of this band that did hit it big with a song that sounded like nothing like the rest of their songs. That never happens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FQO1fj1MJU
"Born and Raised"- Alexisonfire. We'll close this list with St. Catherine's, Ontario hardcore metal group Alexisonfire performing a single from their 2009 album Old Crows/Young Cardinals. This single peaked at #28 on the Canadian Alternative Hot 100 Chart and featured this Chinese themed video that really shows the diversity of the lineup of this seemingly genre locked band. This band really reminds me of Breaking Benjamin for some reason. Maybe it's because they just look like regular guys. This album would peak at #2 on the Canadian Album Charts and #84 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0fVfectDo
BONUS VIDEOS- "Reflektor"- Arcade Fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGnL5NBALEg
"Perfect"- Simple Plan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUi54JTgL5s
"One Week"- Barenaked Ladies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC_q9KPczAg
"Dancehall Domine"- The New Pornographers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDzsNwe56w
"Weak"- Queen of Hearts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MQID1OLlHg
Pass me the puck, I'm a canuck!
The New Pornographers
Lights
Loverboy
Bachman Turner Overdrive
Barenaked Ladies
Sasha Laine
In order to be considered for this list, the artist or band had to all be from Canada. Also, you could have not have been featured on either of the previous 2 Canadian lists eh?
"Legacy"- Fefe Dobson. Toronto pop diva Fefe Dobson starts off this list with this 2013 single from her latest album Firebird. While having elements of typical pop diva, Dobson brings a touch of pop punk grundge that kinda screams 1990's Seattle garage band. This pretty literal video received heavy rotation in Canada. Dobson is a mix of Jamaican, Native American, and European which really shows the cultural diversity of a city like Toronto. Her diversity as a person shows in her musical styles which had led to her have a very successful career north of the border.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_crwtc34k
"Working For The Weekend"- Loverboy. Calgary's favorite sons Loverboy hit #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 when this song from their hit album Get Lucky found its way onto the American charts. Lead singer Mike Reno is an awesome singer, but he always struck me as a guy who looks like he fixes air conditioners or something and dresses up as a rock star to try get women or something. After establishing a rock sound on their debut album in 1979, Get Lucky and this single proved to be a more pop sound that proved to be widely more successful for Loverboy, with this song still being a staple at shows and a true 80's anthem. Like most 80's videos, the corny "live performance" is featured here with Reno wearing his signature red headband while the band plays with a dark background to an imaginary crowd. I NEVER saw that during the 1980's right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL8G5pBZ5CI
"Rule the World"- Walk Off The Earth. This Hamilton, Ontario band definitely sounds cool, and definitely makes me want to rule the world after hearing this latest single from their newest album Sing It All Away. This single peaked at #22 on the Canadian Hot 100 earlier this year, proving that the ska sound from the early 2000's isn't quite dead. I have to say I am impressed with the current state of chart topping songs being bad hip hop, bubble gum pop, wanna be rockers, or "outlaw country", hearing this ska/punk song on a current singles chart. Also, Ellie Goulding lookalike Sarah Blackwood is super freaking hot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukigjUvwAR4
"Complicated"- Avril Lavigne. I am gonna go ahead and admit that this song is one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures. Belleville, Ontario product Avril Lavigne struck gold in 2002 when this single from her debut album Let Go peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her 2 Grammy nominations including Song of the Year. The words to this song are actually quite deep and complex, and after about 10 times really listening to it, it really clicked with me. You can almost compare Avril Lavigne to be a Canadian hard rock Taylor Swift because she was a young starlet who was writing songs about boys who hurt her when she was 15. Despite the seemingly trivial trials in her life, we were left with catchy tunes and songs that really make you think sometimes more than you care to admit. Sound like any American female artists? I'm just saying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NPBIwQyPWE
"The Suburbs"- Arcade Fire. Montreal's family folk group Arcade Fire made a huge splash in 2011 when this title track from their third studio album took home the Grammy for Album of the Year solidifying their place in Canadian music lore. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and gave Arcade Fire a boost to their already sizeable American following. Maybe it's just me, but I've always wondered how non French bands have done in Montreal when English obviously is not the main language. Any one want to contribute to that thought? Anyway, sorry for getting off track. This song reminds me of a cross between Band of Horses and The Avett Brothers. Honestly, I just put this song here because I wanted Lewis to be able to say I included them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM
"The Monster"- Anth and Sasha Laine. Here are two super talented artists you don't know but need to know! Former member of the Toronto girl group Queen of Hearts Sasha Laine joins Toronto hip hop artist Anth here for a sensational cover of Eminem and Rihanna's "The Monster". One of the hottest women in Canadian music and one of the most diverse backgrounds, Laine should be headed to the top of the Canadian charts in the very near future. Her hypnotizing voice and looks are a rare combination of beauty and talent. I seriously love this woman singing me to sleep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b0n_R96sH4
"Moves"- The New Pornographers. I had to feature at least one Canadian West Coast group. Vancouver's The New Pornographers led off their 2011 album Together with this catchy tune and quite hilarious video featuring SNL's Bill Hader and Paul Rudd ("Anchorman", "Dinner for Shmucks") in the opening moments make for quite a hilarious concept. This video in a way makes me think Blink 182 meets the Foo Fighters meets "We Are Spinal Tap". This song was featured in commercials for T-Mobile, Hyundai, and the opening credits for the NBC sitcom "Go On". Just for everyone wondering out there, the band claims they got their name after watching a Japanese movie called "The Pornographers". The humor behind that story is way too deep to get into right here. On another note, it is really good to see bands still making videos in 2011 like they're still on TV or something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYyu5vbwvbA
"Unkind"- Sloan. Now switching coasts, power pop quartet Sloan originates out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is the pride of the Atlantic provinces. This single from their 2011 album The Double Cross marked the band's return the charts after a long hiatus when it peaked at #16 Canadian Alternative Charts. I watch this video and I immediately think The Proclaimers- I seriously wanna sing "500 Miles". Anyway, Sloan has had quite a successful career north of the border, most notably in their home Nova Scotia where they remain one of the most popular bands to ever come out of the area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6JqLk66oSY
"The Hills"- The Weeknd. Toronto rapper The Weeknd hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 recently with this lead single from his upcoming album Beauty Behind the Madness. Dark and introspective, this single has been praised by critics and fans alike. Using it's hook from Wes Craven's 1977 horror film "The Hills Have Eyes", this song goes surprisingly dark but yet stays very deep into the singer's feelings. I have never been crazy about this genre, but I have to admit that I am impressed by the talent and artistic ability The Weeknd shows on this track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzTuBuRdAyA
"Bobcaygeon"- The Tragically Hip. This single from Kingston, Ontario's The Tragically Hip became one of their biggest hits ever when it was included on their 1999 album Phantom Power where it peaked at #3 on the Canadian Hot 100 and won the Juno Award for Song of the Year. This ode to a to the small community of Bobcaygeon in southeast Ontario. The Tragically Hip, like a few other artists on this list, tend to mix acoustic country with country rock to make for a sound that seems to be quite popular with indie bands in Canada and the United States. I don't understand this video, but I really like this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6QDjDPRF5c
"If I Had A Million Dollars"- The Barenaked Ladies. You knew this one was coming. Toronto band the Barenaked Ladies took the world by storm with their hit single "One Week" from their 1998 album Stunt. However, in 1996, they released their debut album and what many of their true fans consider their best album, Gordon. That album featured fan favorites "Brian Wilson", and this song here which peaked at #13 on the Canadian Hot 100. This song has become a fan favorite and has mockingly been played by several major league baseball teams when Alex Rodriguez is at bat in their home stadium. A karaoke fixture around the world, this song remains one of the band's favorite songs. Interestingly enough, the song was actually born as an improv song that co-writers Steven Page and Ed Robertson wrote together while working at a summer camp. Talk about taking it a long way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8zdNe_l3M8
"Taking Care Of Business"- Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Most people forget that these guys who joined the rock game in the 1970's were actually from Winnipeg, also home of my man Chris Jericho. BTO hit it big in 1974 when this single from their sophomore album Bachman-Turner Overdrive II peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Canadian Hot 100. This milestone rock anthem helped establish BTO into a household name by the mid 1970's and even spawned a movie in which the Cubs actually won the World Series. Actually a really funny movie if you haven't seen it. The riffs in this song are some of the most famous in rock history, as this song remains a heavily covered for several bands still today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dSzaScsWh4
"Same Sea"- Lights. Lights is the stage name for Timmins, Ontario singer Valerie Anne Poxleitner. This catchy single for the electro pop singer was featured on her latest album Little Machines. Songs like this helped Little Machines peak at #5 on the Canadian Albums Chart and #34 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. She sort of reminds me of a female Owl City, which makes her a lot more fun to look at. I love her instrumental choices as well as her vocal voice overs that make for really cool harmony. This is one song that could get me really jumping around a room, but don't worry I didn't this time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tjblu5jaBM
"Addicted"- Simple Plan. I have to admit, I only found out recently that Simple Plan was from Montreal. Again, maybe I am giving an unfair stereotype, but I always pictured everyone from Montreal being French. Oh well, I guess I was wrong. This single from the band's 2002 debut album No Pads, No Helmets....Just Balls put them in the American mainstream after gaining heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels. While peaking at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, Simple Plan would ride the momentum to their next single "Perfect" which would peak at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. With a super punk pop sound that would be greatly received by a young American audience, the debut album would go on to sell 2,000,000 copies capitalizing on the brief punk pop revolution of the early 2000's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvpNa5O-0-8
"One Thing"- Finger Eleven. Burlington, Ontario rock band Finger Eleven opened for Creed in Jackson in 2001. I can't believe I remember that especially seeing how I wasn't there. 2 years later, Finger Eleven would make their biggest splash ever in the United States when this single from their 2003 self-titled fourth album peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song also gained mainstream exposure being used on several TV and commercial broadcasts. The critically acclaimed and VMA award winning video gave fans a glimpse of this band that did hit it big with a song that sounded like nothing like the rest of their songs. That never happens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FQO1fj1MJU
"Born and Raised"- Alexisonfire. We'll close this list with St. Catherine's, Ontario hardcore metal group Alexisonfire performing a single from their 2009 album Old Crows/Young Cardinals. This single peaked at #28 on the Canadian Alternative Hot 100 Chart and featured this Chinese themed video that really shows the diversity of the lineup of this seemingly genre locked band. This band really reminds me of Breaking Benjamin for some reason. Maybe it's because they just look like regular guys. This album would peak at #2 on the Canadian Album Charts and #84 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0fVfectDo
BONUS VIDEOS- "Reflektor"- Arcade Fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGnL5NBALEg
"Perfect"- Simple Plan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUi54JTgL5s
"One Week"- Barenaked Ladies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC_q9KPczAg
"Dancehall Domine"- The New Pornographers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDzsNwe56w
"Weak"- Queen of Hearts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MQID1OLlHg
Pass me the puck, I'm a canuck!The New PornographersLightsLoverboyBachman Turner OverdriveBarenaked LadiesSasha Laine
posted by General 5A Pigott at 11:52 PM
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