Canada has a problem. Our most successful musical acts all suck. Okay, not all, but most. The likes of Bryan Adams (a genuine little to no talent) Celine Dion (someone who can sing quite well, and chooses not to), Sarah McLaughlin (a truly beautiful singer whose songs…. are obviously not written for me) Shania Twain… Barenaked Ladies…. Are we getting the picture?
Where are the Canadian Metal acts? Helix, I suppose, almost counts, but they’re getting a bit long in the tooth. What about electronic? Well there’s craploads, but who are the good ones? Not the more popular ones, like Love Inc and such. Canadian Quality electronic is so far underground it’s actually very funny. In the same way that getting your car stolen on the same day you got fired and your girl broke up with you by email is funny.
Hip Hop we got. Acts like Swollen Members (who sell better in other countries than here. Typical), The Rascalz, Choclair, and Kardinal Offishall have, if not huge sales, huge respect from the hip hop community worldwide. Well deserved I must say.
We got some rock acts. Not sure how well most of these are known elsewhere (Some, like 54-40 and The Tragically Hip have no fame in other countries and it’s probably deserved) But others, like The Tea Party, deserve wider exposure (alright they’re doing fine here and in Australia, but where else?) Econoline Crush ain’t bad, NIckleback’s pretty damn popular up here, and there are others (I don’t listen to rock, so I’m not an expert)
Of course, I MUST mention one band: Bran Van 3000, who are not really definable aside from on a song- by song basis (no shit, there’s some 30 contributors to the first album, with even more on the second- including Big Daddy Kane, Yousou N’Dour and Eek- A- Mouse) and they were recently signed by Grand Royal. That’s right, the Beastie Boys album. One main reason I mention them is that their next single, “Astounded” would have to make an effort to NOT be a hit. Truly. Please check it out. http://www.branvan3000.com/
Canadians do not suck. There’s just been no attention paid to the truly good musical product we put out.
Oh, the only connection with any of these bands and me is the country of our origin. But please check them out, as they all kick Limp Bizkit’s ass seven different ways.
