“North by East West” posited the question, and here’s my own personal take, in no particular order:
(Keep in mind, I choose albums I actually listened to, are quintessentially Canadian, and I wouldn’t hesitate to put amongst the best albums, ever. So no cheesy can-pop (Alanis, the Hip), no Canadian-but-really-American albums (Neil Young, The Band), and nothing really post-2000s if I can help it (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Broken Social Scene).)
1. “The Ghosts that Haunt Me” (1991) by Crash Test Dummies
2. “Everything I Long For” (1995) by Hayden
3. “Sometimes I Cry” (1999) by Tricky Woo
4. “F#A#(infinity)” (1997) by Godspeed You Black Emperor!
5. “No Cities Left” (2003) by The Dears
6. “Limblifer” (1996) by Limblifter
7. “Five Hundred Pounds” (1993) by Big Sugar
8. “Scenery and Fish” (1996) by I Mother Earth
9. “Moving Pictures” (1981) by Rush
10. “Gordon” (1992) by Barenaked Ladies
Honourable mentions: “Silver” (1993) by Moist, “Waking up the Neighbours” (1991) by Bryan Adams, “Sudden Stop” by Colin James, “My Love is Bold” (1999) by Danko Jones, “Smile and Wave” (1997) by the Headstones, “Mad Mad World” (1991) by Tom Cochrane, “Five Days in July” (1993) by Blue Rodeo and “Radical Dudez” (2005) by Radical Dudez.
If you want to read more about these kinds of lists, there was a big book published a couple years ago, and Chart Magazine has done a pile of lists like this.
No “Day For Night” or “Fully Completely”? I’ll come up with a proper response once I have some time to think about what I’d put in my top 10.
Despite what NxEW would have us believe, Canadian music didn’t start in the 90′s. If Glass Tiger’s 1986 smash hit “The Thin Red Line” doesn’t make the final cut, I’ll be writing some strongly worded letters.
That was the first album I ever bought, and I never regretted it. 23 years later and it’s still a great listen.
i like the looks of the list, there are a few i have to check out, like limblifter for example. is it totally wrong that i would put an our lady peace album on there?
I think I need to make a Sonic Boom trip, because I can’t find any Canadian rock on iTunes. And sure, OLP might of had a couple decent songs, but no memorable album.
I like some of your choices. A lot. {DJ/Hayden/Headstones}.
Would like to add 2x from Sloan, OCTA and Twice Removed.
Also, We Were Born in a Flame – Sam Roberts.