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2005's Canadian Anthems
Adrien Begrand
"Five stones in our hand and the Battle of 1812 in our hearts"... Welcome to Winnipeg
Considering a population of only 600,000, it's surprising that the Manitoba capital is so seriously tempting the collective gaze away from Montreal and Toronto. The Weakerthans, Greg MacPherson, Telepathic Butterflies, The Waking Eyes, Paper Moon, and The Paperbacks are making sure people don't pass by the Prairies. And Smallman Records continues to cement its reputation as one of the coolest labels in the country, boasting such notable young Canadian bands like Sylvie, Ghosts of Modern Man, and Comeback Kid. However, two releases in particular solidified Winnipeg's significance in 2005.
TWO > Novillero — Aim Right For the Holes in Their Lives[Mint]
They combine the creative indie pop that Canadian bands have perfected over the last five years with a more muscular garage rock feel. They sound like a band unafraid to brave a ferocious Prairie winter, as opposed to fey Vancouverites dodging raindrops.
ONE > Propagandhi — Potemkin City Limits[Fat Wreck Chords]
Well-read, ferocious, and anarchist to the core, this album injects life into a genre many are losing hope in. An unflinching opus that quickly renders Green Day's American Idiot pointless. The punk album of the year.
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Reasons Why C'est Seulement La Premiere Vague...
Liam Colle
This isn't the end. Arcade Fire got shit started, but shit's not about to die out. The Toronto and Montreal communities alone, are still knocking together some maddeningly good music. Musicians are generally thrilled about what's going on in Canada, and as opportunities expand, so will the range of talent. As these amazing bands continue to scratch the surface of the underground, all signs point to resonance.
SIX > Lenin I Shumov [www.blocksblocksblocks.com]
Pummeling percussion tagged with Eugene Slonimerov's Russian vocal histrionics makes for unforgettable and entertaining catharsis. Another weapon in Blocks Recording Club's arsenal of spiky genius.
FIVE > The Diableros [www.thediableros.tv]
The neglected lovechild of Arcade Fire and Ride, they just released their debut, You Can't Break the Strings of Our Olympic Hearts, and it somehow lives up to its title.
FOUR > The Hot Springs [www.the-hot-springs.com]
The next shit — all hot and heavy in the aftermath of the birth of a "scene". Rough and foxy female vocals raise this guitar band above the average rockpunk hit-makers. Expect a darker, and somehow catchier, sound on their forthcoming full-length than the dancepunk focus of 2005's Rock Partouze.
THREE > They Shoot Horses Don't They? [www.theyshoothorses.org]
With their debut LP slated for the winter, these left coast mosaicists will have music scribes reaching for the pipe to properly describe their cacophonic revelry.
TWO > Anagram [www.deadastronaut.com/anagram]
Drawing comparisons to Spaceman 3 and Joy Division, this band actually sounds like the Stooges in a cold sweat. After Dark drops in December so prepare for propulsion.
ONE > The Creeping Nobodies [www.thecreepingnobodies.com]
Holy crap. It's bands like this that remind us why music is damn exciting in the first place. Provocative and evocative, it's punk and art — both done well. Their untitled opus, recorded with Sonic Youth producer Wharton Tiers, is bound for renown in 2006.
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