Banner year for Canadian music?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I've been in the process of writing a year-end music column for our weekend magazine (with a focus on Canadian artists) and was struck by how many of my favourite albums of 2003 were actually Canadian.
I mean, in years past, that hasn't usually been the case.
I'm just wondering if any other Canadian ILMers have found the same thing — more MAPL in this year's listening?

― Christian Rawk (Christian Rawk), Thursday, 18 December 2003 00:16 (twenty-one years ago)

have you seen this:

http://www.earshot-online.com/CHARTS/2003/All_Year/Charts_HTML/2003-top200.html

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 18 December 2003 00:18 (twenty-one years ago)

hidden cameras, salteens, stars, new pornos all made very good records this year.

― the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 18 December 2003 00:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Nope. Haven't really paid attention to Chart for a few years. But 30 out of 50 on campus radio's year-end chart is a nice reflection of the overall quality.
(In response to post number one)

― Christian Rawk (Christian Rawk), Thursday, 18 December 2003 00:22 (twenty-one years ago)

The Constantines, the Weakerthans, Broken Social Scene (who really can't be blamed for a lot of the hype), Manitoba, too. Royal City made a very nice record. Ummm.. I know there are more, but I can't think straight right now...

― David A. (Davant), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I just looked at that link -- yes, the Be Good Tanyas (Chinatown) representing us out here on the Wet Coast (along with the Unicorns and New Pornos).

― David A. (Davant), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:24 (twenty-one years ago)

i like the diskettes record.

― keith m (keithmcl), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

hidden cameras!
burquitlam plaza!
unicorns!
barcelona pavillion!
the blankket! ("hey ya" waaayyy better than lcd soundsystem's "yeah yeah yeah")
frog eyes!
chet!
the arcade fire!
the organ!
the two minute miracles!

and a bunch more..... these were all amazing bands that either blew me away on record or live.

― ddd (ddd), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:57 (twenty-one years ago)

The new Ensemble Pierre Labbe album sounds quite good from what I've heard.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 18 December 2003 02:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm just wondering if any other Canadian ILMers have found the same thing — more MAPL in this year's listening?

No. This has been a pretty dire year from my standpoint. I mean, I guess if you like indie pop, it was alright, but I don't, so, yeah.

― Vic Funk, Thursday, 18 December 2003 02:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Tegan and Sara! (which came out in the US in '03)

― dlp9001, Thursday, 18 December 2003 02:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah! I was just remembering that it was not too long ago that I thought that Canada had no music makers which I was into. For the longest time it was pretty much only Porcelain Forehead and Rent Boys Inc. and The Garbagemen. Everything else seemed 6 years too late, and watered down. This didn't freak me out that much because I live in Canusa (ie. Windsor, Ontario), so I still got to see great music being performed in and around our suburb of Deeetroit.
Now, I guess I have to agree about the change. Not that I'm any kind of nationalist, but Godspeed, Akufen, DoMakeSayThink, Metric, Manitoba, Broken Social Scene and others on on my regular playlist, and not because of any self-imposed Canadian content rules.

Not that big of a deal for me, but kinda interesting.

― peepee (peepee), Thursday, 18 December 2003 03:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, Vic raises a good point. If you're into more mainstream pop or hip hop, for example, was there any worthy Canadian releases? I mean, I've been digging Jim Guthrie and the Great Lakes Swimmers and The Unicorns, et al. but I can't think of one Canadian hip hop or pop release from 2003.

― Christian Rawk (Christian Rawk), Thursday, 18 December 2003 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Head Phone Over Tone = album of the year

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Thursday, 18 December 2003 03:48 (twenty-one years ago)

DANKO JONES, PEOPLE!

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 18 December 2003 03:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Is he better on record than live?

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Thursday, 18 December 2003 03:52 (twenty-one years ago)

The new album is actually quite good; very crisp production, and even though the lyrics are a bit over the top it's very very metal. And fun.

The new Weakerthans album is top of the year though, easy.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 18 December 2003 03:54 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, I ask because he was pretty dire when he played with Andrew WK last year. But I think my friend who was there said he's done better stuff on recordings. D/k the Weakerthans.

BTW I think we could maybe try for this weekend for that Toronto FAP we were talking about. I've been really busy and unsure about whether I'd have the time, and hardly ever reading/posting here anyway. But I'll start a thread, which I'll, um, check at some point. Or maybe we should email?

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Thursday, 18 December 2003 04:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't think of one Canadian hip hop or pop release from 2003

Well, there's Buck 65, which Chuck Eddy likes a lot.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 18 December 2003 04:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I forgot about that Buck 65 album.

― Christian Rawk (Christian Rawk), Thursday, 18 December 2003 04:53 (twenty-one years ago)

lezzies on ecstasy!!!!

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 18 December 2003 05:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I wonder why the earshot chart doesn't list manitoba as a canadian artist?

― geeg, Thursday, 18 December 2003 05:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Also Building Castles Out of Matchsticks might make my top 5 so far (and I don't think professional connections are biasing me). Recommended tracks include "This Could Be the One That Makes It" (works well with "In Between the Blips and Skips There's Love" as a lead-in), "One Small Step", "A Magical New Twist On a Timeless Legend", "Hatred (How Can You Look Me In the Eye)", "The One With the Girl Singing". The only thing that might turn some off is the words in "OK, Have It Your Way". Mr Noodles, you'll remember her from Wavelength. I believe you compared it to Aphex Twin and Depeche Mode.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Thursday, 18 December 2003 06:01 (twenty-one years ago)

arcade fire seconded

― Elliot (Elliot), Thursday, 18 December 2003 06:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Why the hell not...Arcade Fire thirded.

― alex in montreal, Thursday, 18 December 2003 06:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Canadian hip-hop -- Buck 65 already mentioned, and K-OS, Rascalz and Choclair.

Canadian pop -- Hawksley Workman, Avril Lavigne, Swollen Members(?).

― David A. (Davant), Thursday, 18 December 2003 07:21 (twenty-one years ago)

The Rufus Wainwright record was pretty disappointing.

― Arthur (Arthur), Thursday, 18 December 2003 07:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I liked Buck, B.S.S., Avril singles, LOVED the Be Good Tanyas. As a canuck I think canadian music still suffers from 'pastoral obligation', just like the canadian novelist scene - if you want any acclaim you have to stick to something WEIRD that happened in a small town a while ago, and how the participants are coping now. ZzzzZZ.

Notes:

Amanda Walsh, Muchmusic VJ of outlandish dimplitude, is losing weight just thanks to active lifestyle and natural fat-shedding, contrary to my little brother's unreliable reports she is sniffing tons of shit.

Danko Jones I'd bum rush with a brass knuckle in a second if I ever met him simply because I don't like what he does with his face in his videos. His tongue lashing seems really fake to me and angers me more than is rational.

I'm trying to curb my emotions in above regard, especially when a girl tells me she "has a boyfriend" (but actually doesn't). I don't hit women (yet) so I divert my anger and think about beating up her boyfriend (who doesn't exist). Well that puts me in a pickle, doesn't it.

― DarrensCoq (DarrenK), Thursday, 18 December 2003 07:34 (twenty-one years ago)

"outlandish dimplitude!"

― David A. (Davant), Thursday, 18 December 2003 07:52 (twenty-one years ago)

The Rufus Wainwright record was pretty disappointing.

The Hawksley Workman was, too, unfortunately.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 18 December 2003 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

If you're into more mainstream pop or hip hop, for example, was there any worthy Canadian releases?

To be honest, when I saw the heading of this thread, I was fearing praise for Sam Roberts.

Periodically I'll catch Rap City and there will be a really great song on, and I'll notice a VideoFACT credit at the end, but I can never remember the names of the artists the next morning.

― Vic Funk, Thursday, 18 December 2003 14:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Andrew Vincent & the Pirates - I Love the Modern Way
Deadly Snakes - Ode to Joy
Parkas - Now This is Fighting (serious post-Sloan joy)
Buck 65 - Talkin' Honky Blues
Soft Canyon - Broken Spirit, I Will Mend You Wings
the Chains - On Top of Things
Junior Pantherz - Ballistics
Despistado - s/t?

there's a bunch more, but I'm hung over from the only christmas party I'm going to this year.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:02 (twenty-one years ago)

DANKO JONES, PEOPLE!

God does he suck. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the best thing about Danko Jones was his pants being stolen by The Smugglers.

Buck65 breaking out was great. I hate his hats though.

Someone should email Magnus about the junk appearing at the bottom of the page.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:14 (twenty-one years ago)

But Richard moving to Paris, Manitoba living in Engerland and the cottage industry of G!Y!B?E! finally shattering alongside yet another One Speed Bike record also holds dark tidings.
That and Bryan Adam's is in the news for sleeping with Princess Di which means we have to deal with both Bryan and Ryan Adams which no country should have to.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

why do we have to deal with Ryan?

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

MM/MMM.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I am seriously considering naming my next cat Virue or Unvirtue

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

you're consindering both names or are you cansidering the name "Virue-or-Unvirtue"¿

― dyson (dyson), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:43 (twenty-one years ago)

i like the ring of virue noodles the best.
kinda sounds like an idm act tho.

― dyson (dyson), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:44 (twenty-one years ago)

both names, or two cats. though Virtue-or-Unvirtue would be a grebt long name. Seriously mess with the cats mind.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

why do you name a cat? cats don't come when you call them.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:49 (twenty-one years ago)

You've never met my cat.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I am your cat.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't expect me to stroke you or feed you and pick up your shit.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 15:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't expect me to come when you call.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Thursday, 18 December 2003 16:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Fine! Off to the humane society you go.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

hmmm, methinks huckleberry catt is also a fine name.

― dyson (dyson), Thursday, 18 December 2003 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

ewww hawksley workman is gross

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 18 December 2003 17:33 (twenty-one years ago)

He is better then Tal Bachman though. And that horrible mess that was the Sam Roberts buzz.

Did Kid Koala's book come out this year or last?
And a new Tetrezine album AND The Peter Parkers finally released another EP.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 18 December 2003 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

seriously Hawksley Workman reminds me of guys a univeristy that i want to punch in the jaw.
i also second
Despistado - s/t

also how awesome is New Music Canada? i usually hate this kind of government funded grasps at youth relations but i've totally fallen for new music canada. this site has somehow managed to escape the fate of places like mp3.com or imua by actually promoting awesome canadian bands. i even peruse their weekly emails before promptly deleteing them.

― ddd, Thursday, 18 December 2003 18:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 17 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

sorry their not HARD enough for you.
Would you call it Backpacker rock?

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Friday, 19 December 2003 16:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I called it whimsy rock.
And I'm not saying I don't like the Rheos (I do like 'em, esp. live), but their influence/relevancy has waned. They now often seem like a relic of a different geological era.
there's a different crust on the surface of CanRock. TragHip too have been utterly laid to waste by N-------CK (not to be confused with Nutsack, which they kinda look like), not that they compare musically, but audience-wise.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Friday, 19 December 2003 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

(and maybe I'm baiting you a bit) (but really, I think the Rheos are need defending)

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Friday, 19 December 2003 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, Im glad to see the Tragically Hip wind down too. They didn't keep going as long as Neil Young but they were unescapable in a way I don't think even Alanis reached up here. Nickleback will be gone after the usual 3 full albums and a Christmas hits ep. If we are lucky.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Friday, 19 December 2003 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Its all good.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Friday, 19 December 2003 16:24 (twenty-one years ago)

The 2nd Jim Bryson LP is a good one. Constantines, oh, yes. First SubPop thing I have bought in a long time. And Fred Eaglesmith's "Balin" LP, too. Deadly Snakes, yep. The Buck 65 that I've heard is good, maybe I'll get it for christmas or something. A good year for the Cancon.

I like saying "LP".

― pauls00, Friday, 19 December 2003 17:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh yeah, I always forget about that Jim Bryson alb (I like saying alb, I have deep issues with LP). It's real nice.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Friday, 19 December 2003 17:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Someone told me that 30% of the Pitchfork Top 10 is Canadian.

― Mark (MarkR), Friday, 19 December 2003 17:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm super glad that the Unicorns are on there. I love those guys and I'm glad that for once other people like a band I really like.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Friday, 19 December 2003 17:28 (twenty-one years ago)

If I'm the Tragically Hip, The audience that Nickelback can steal is the audience that Nickelback can have.

― Kim (Kim), Saturday, 20 December 2003 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I wonder if the Fifty Mission cap was a trucker hat.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Saturday, 20 December 2003 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

didn't Kardinall Offishaw, celebrated Toronto rapper, haved a new record this year?
He didn't put out a new album, but Belly Dancer was released this year, and that was an AMAZING single.

― Jonathan (Jonathan), Saturday, 20 December 2003 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

The upcoming album by the Unintended (Rick White, all the Sadies, plus Greg Keelor) sounds pretty good based on the track up at Rotate This's site.

― Vic Funk, Saturday, 20 December 2003 20:55 (twenty-one years ago)

The last Jim guthrie record is terrific.

― Chuck Tatum (Chuck Tatum), Saturday, 20 December 2003 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I got that L'Ensemble Pierre Labbe album today, and it's really wonderful avant-jazz-prog. Labbe has worked with members of Miriodor in Papa Boa, but this is his first outing as a leader. Good stuff in a variety of textures.

― o. nate (onate), Saturday, 20 December 2003 21:21 (twenty-one years ago)

(There should be an accent on the 'e' in Labbe, but I don't know how to put it on there.)

― o. nate (onate), Saturday, 20 December 2003 21:23 (twenty-one years ago)

è, é, ê, ë
0232 - 0235
(one possible was is to hold down alt and type that in using the calculator pad on the right)

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Saturday, 20 December 2003 23:21 (twenty-one years ago)

That last Jim Guthrie album was terrific. I ended up buying both of Guthrie's 2003 albums after hearing Now More Than Ever in its entirety on the UWO campus station. The same show played the new Young and Sexy album last week, which I also dug but haven't yet purchased.

― Christian Rawk (Christian Rawk), Saturday, 20 December 2003 23:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Labbé

Wow, cool!

― o. nate (onate), Saturday, 20 December 2003 23:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Keelor, White + Sadies form band. More pot at a 11.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Tim Hecker - Radio Amor
Veal - "I Hate Your Lipstick"
The Dears - No Cities Left

Also, I'm beginning to come around to Plastikman's Closer after gagging at first.

― Curt (cgould), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I talked to Dallas just after they recorded the Unintended. It's gonna be hawt.
Keelor's such a Sadies hanger-on.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Metric and The Super Friendz released my favourite Canadian albums this year. Good to see there's some Veal love here. Don't forget mcenroe when discussing CDN hip hop - 2004 will be a breakout year for him or another Peanuts & Corn artist (possibly Pip Skid).

― Bryan (Bryan), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Do Metric count? They haven't lived in Canada in years and years.
I mean, I guess we don't have to get TOO TOO pedantic here, but I'm not sure if they even qualify as CanCon. Though maybe they should.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

They got some Factor money for their album which would make me think someone thought they were Canadian enough...

― Bryan (Bryan), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Do Neil Young and Joni Mitchell count as CanCon (honest question, not being a jerk)? Neither of them have lived here for decades!

― Bryan (Bryan), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

did they get the money or did their label?
cuz there's no MAPL symbol on their record.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought there was one on my copy (which is why I mentioned it). I'll look again when I get home.

― Bryan (Bryan), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

x-ppost

that's a really good question. at what point do we let go of these people?

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe it's on the disc?
I'm pretty sure I recall noting that there isn't one on the pkg.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:34 (twenty-one years ago)

They both count as CANCON. American labels rarely include the MAPL symbol (which by the way is copyrighted but free to use).

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

so they've both maintained their Cdn citizenship?

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.ncra.ca/CRTC/MAPL.htm for your basic CANCON needs.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:42 (twenty-one years ago)

You PD/MD will probably not care to argue even if he isn't.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:43 (twenty-one years ago)

seriously though, how is Canadian defined? I've always found that description of how MAPL is defined to be horribly vague.
Because I wouldn't describe JM or NY as Cdn. Cdn-born, or of Cdn origin, but neither of them really, y'know, live as Canadians.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Its really vague because the actual law is very obtuse.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

If you ever need good bedtime reading try CRTC's Cancon regulations.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Huck: please forgive me but I wasn't paying very close attention to the MAPL comment - no, I can't remember seeing one on the Metric CD. I guess what I was thinking was would Factor give money to a label (even) that was producing an album that wouldn't qualify as CanCon?

― Bryan (Bryan), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Going out on a limb (on a couple years removed from all this now): I don't think the label gets the money.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I know that what's their pants, G7 gets factor money and puts the logo on Noam Chomsky rekkids.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

x-post

Labels get different grants.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

G7 got money for that crap? Oh FACTOR, how far have you fallen.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe it was canada council

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Keelor, White + Sadies form band. More pot at a 11.

That link looks familiar....

Does it even matter if the MAPL is on the album or not? I know when I play Neil Young LPs with the MAPL logo on it (he never qualifies for the "P", by the way), I always think it's silly, because outside of radio, who cares aboot that fact? It's not like personal listening, albums sales, etc. are mandated. And I can't believe anybody would use the logo as a determining factor in their purchase. Rant aside, just because the Metric may not have the MAPL on it, it doesn't necessarily mean it didn't qualify somewhere along the way for Canadian funding.

― Vic Funk, Monday, 22 December 2003 17:35 (twenty-one years ago)

well, the station is responsible for proving the selections they claim as CanCon are actually CanCon, should the CRTC ever come a-knockin' (and they do sometimes). So if the record has the info right there, then yr ass is covered. If not, you have to prove somehow that yr selection meets the standards. I'm not sure how you'd do that, but I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult, just a big freakin' hassle.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 17:40 (twenty-one years ago)

If your stations 35% CANCON hinges on Neil Young and Joni Mitchell the CRTC may be more concerned about playing of a cut more then 10 times in a week which is something they liked to throw into CC licenses it seems.

Vic Funk , wow, saw that from that link now that you mention it.oops.

Keelor's such a Sadies hanger-on.
Is he their landloard too?

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 22 December 2003 18:18 (twenty-one years ago)

10 times in a week?

since when? that's the goofiest thing ever.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 22 December 2003 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

three years pass...

Marcello, will be buying the NME this week !

NME: This week
http://tinyurl.com/yr4q2w

Plus, a free CD. 15 tracks from the Canadian new music scene

― djmartian, Tuesday, 15 May 2007 15:45 (eighteen years ago)

tracklist?

― Dr. Superman, Tuesday, 15 May 2007 19:14 (eighteen years ago)

thank god that url is tiny

― s1ocki, Tuesday, 15 May 2007 19:38 (eighteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.