7 Albums by Canadians You Must Add to Your Collection

Canadians have an amazing history of writing and releasing good, solid music. But until very recently, it seemed like most people I knew only recognized Bryan Adams and Celine Dion as being distinctly Canadian. At the Vancouver Olympics just three years ago there was a bevy of performers at the opening and closing ceremonies who reminded me of the variety of Canadian musical artists I have in my own collection that you may or may not have heard. So, with that in mind, here are 7 albums by Canadians you must add to your collection!

1. The Philosopher Kings – The Philosopher Kings

Is it rock? Is it soul? Is it some mixture of the two, sprinkled with bits and pieces of different genres for good measure? I honestly can’t tell you another band that they sound like, which is a good thing. I like originality and The Philosopher Kings have it in spades. More importantly, each and every one of these songs has the potential to be amazing live, and most have been amazing live. That’s what I feel is the mark of an amazing band, and I suggest you listen to them for the first time today. Standout song: Can’t Get My Mind Around You.

2. Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullaby

Most people will recall the way Miss Lavigne made a splash onto the music scene with “Complicated” and “Sk8r Boi,” but what has she done for us lately? Well, her most recent album answers that question in a big way. In fact, I like it even more than her first record, which is saying a lot. Goodbye Lullaby I see as a companion piece to her previous record, The Best Damn Thing. The previous record was a celebratory romp, and Lullaby is much more personal in comparison. That’s why I like it more, and I can’t wait to hear what Avril has in store for her next one. Standout song: Stop Standing There.

3. Michael Bublé – It’s Time

What I love about Michael Bublé is his ability to alternately sound like Frank Sinatra and not sound like Frank Sinatra at the same time. In every single song he sings, there is a swagger to his voice, and a smoothness that is undeniable. There’s just something about the way he handles a song, and he’s got a number of classics on this album. From “Try a Little Tenderness,” to “Feeling Good,” to “You Don’t Know Me,” he covers each song flawlessly. I tried not to like him, but he won me over, and this was the album that did it. Standout song: Feeling Good.

4. Nelly Furtado – Loose

Forget all about that “I’m Like a Bird” song, even though it’s a good song and a bit quirky, but this album is where Nelly just lets it all loose. It’s no longer about what’s quirky and different. It’s all about the beat on this one, and she delivers some mad crazy beats. “Promiscuous” is my favorite song from the album, but there are so many good ones here. She’s best when you can hear the Latin flavor mixed with her native Canadian accent to create a definitely different type of vocal, but one that works. Standout song: Promiscuous.

5. Chantal Kreviazuk – What If It All Means Something

Chantal is probably the best pure singer of the group I’ve listed here. She can hit the high notes, but she also has a simplicity to her tone too that is emotionally evocative every time she opens her mouth. Her third album is the best one in terms of lyrical and musical content, but her other ones are no slouches either. She is a singer-songwriter so she can control the mood of the album, and this album’s mood is positive, always moving forward. It’s a great record, even if you don’t like most singer-songwriters because she has some serious pop too. Standout song: Ready For Your Love.

6. Daniel Lanois – For the Beauty of Wynona

I will readily admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Daniel Lanois for a long time, and then it was just as a producer for U2. Suddenly, though, while I was looking through people who had covered U2 songs, someone told me he had sung a beautiful live version of “Love is Blindness.” I had to hear it! And it was indeed hauntingly beautiful. On the strength of that rendition, I bought this album, having heard absolutely no songs on it. But upon first listen, I found I loved every single song on the record. Daniel Lanois has a voice that can be rough, but he has hewn it into something beautiful. I suggest you listen to the entire thing through headphones. Standout song: The Collection of Marie Claire.

7. I Mother Earth – Scenery & Fish

All I can say about this band is that they’re different. In fact, every single one of their albums sounds vastly different from the other ones. That’s probably because its member configuration changes so often, but that’s okay because they created this one masterpiece and nothing else matters. After this album, their lead singer struck out on his own, so even the voice behind it disappears. That’s very important to the feel of the music. This album is loud, and the voice of the lead singer is a high one, so it fits right in with a lot of records that can be screamed along with. But it’s not all about screaming. It’s sensitive in places too, which tends to surprise. It’s an acquired taste, but I’ve acquired it. Give it a shot. Standout song: Like a Girl.

Sam

7 Albums Archive