Canadian Music News

Wow.  With the U.S. presidential elections just a little more than a week away, I got a real crack out of this weekend that pokes fun at some of the world’s most recognizable politicians.   You’ll see appearances from Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, President Bush and even personalities and stars like Anderson Cooper, David Hasselbeck and Alex Trebek (and many more!).
It’s a good thing the video is so entertaining because it distracts from the repetitive, banal song.  I am hoping that it is just because it is a remix but I have no desire to ever hear this song …read more

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I have to admit that Toronto-based punk rock group, Die Mannequin, is not my style but I know there are Canadians out there who love them.  It’s not their genre that I dislike but I think that their songs, like “Saved by Strangers,” are just really plain.  Anyway, the track originally came from their 2007 EP Slaughter Daughter which was eventually absorbed (along with their 2006 EP How to Kill) into a single album, Unicorn Steak, what was released this year.  

I just think that they try too hard to sound “punk” and it comes off seeming cheesy.  In case …read more

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I have to admit, that I didn’t see this coming!  This new Nickelback some “Gotta Be Somebody” really surprised me.  It’s got a real upbeat, 80s sound to it.  I can’t put my finger on what it sounds like exactly (my mind keeps going to Richard Marx but it’s more than that).
Anyway, people must be liking it because it’s currently #1 on Sirius satellite radio channel “Iceberg 85″ which is devoted to Canadian music.  I couldn’t find a video for it but you can listen to the track here.

Technorati Tags: nickelback,video,watch,gotta be somebody,sirius,iceberg 85

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I came across the new Feist video for her single “Honey Honey.”  The song is really strange even for the unusual Calgarian singer.  The video is even weirder.  The funny thing is that, while it is a haunting tune filled with wordless “singing,” it’s also comforting and warm.  The background “ha ha” sounds sometimes remind me of trains (what do you think?), the puppet work is inventive and, when you dissect the musical layers, it’s simple but when used all together with her vocals, you get a surprisingly intricate song.  For example, the xylophone sounding instrument is keeping the beat …read more

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This video by Hedley for their single "Never Too Late" is pure cheesiness at it’s best.  It’s clearly a play on the video for Duran Duran’s 80s classic hit "Rio."  For fun, I’ve included both videos so you can compare. 

Duran Duran’s "Rio" is almost as cheesy.  It was the original and is pretty typical compared to the videos of its’ time so it gets more forgiveness

The song has got a faux-reggae feel and former Canadian Idol finalist, Jacob Hoggard, seems completely in his element.  This isn’t my favourite song of theirs but it’s fun. 

Technorati Tags: hedley,video,watch,never …read more

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So this video for Shad’s new song "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home" is clearly a spook on the intro for the classic show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  Initially, I thought it was kind of cute but then it just gets tired and boring.  If you want to do a throw back to an old show, do it – just don’t make it your ENTIRE video.  It seems lazy to me. 
He does try to make it funny toward the end when he flows without the music in the background which, oddly enough, sounds better   …read more

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Wow.  When I first heard this "Tout de Moi" by Andrée Watters, I thought it reminded me of American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson’s single "Behind These Hazel Eyes."  Can you hear that in the verses? 
Anyway, what do you think of these words?  "Tout de moi, tu me connait par coeur.  Tout de moi, tu connait tout mes peurs."  This is probably one of the most simplistic songs I’ve heard in a little bit.  I just think it’s so basic.  I think she’s got a decent voice but this single doesn’t even give her a chance to show off at …read more

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This is such a strange song.  It’s got the feel of a Sarah McLachlan song but it also doesn’t feel anything like a Sarah McLachlan song.  I don’t even know if that makes sense but as soon as I’m comfortable with it, it changes and I feel weird about it again. 
It’s got such a similar baseline (at times) to her earlier song "Possession" (which I absolutely love) but then it’s got very uncharacteristic chord choices for her (it sometimes even reminds me of the cover of "Mad World" by Gary Jules).  Maybe it’s because it’s based on her separation …read more

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Are Canada’s hottest young couple calling it quits? That’s what reports are saying.  The two have been married for 2 years now and I actually thought they might be an example of young Hollywood getting married really early in life but who were so right for each other, it didn’t matter.  I hope they can work it out.  Can you imagine what their kids would be like!?
Oh well.  In the meantime, here’s a video montage of their wedding photos.

Technorati Tags: avril lavigne,deryck whibley,divorce,marriage,canadian music

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I was in my final year of high school (1995) when I first heard Jann Arden’s song “Insensitive.”  I liked it but I loved her voice more than anything.  I decided to go out and buy the album Living Under June and I was hooked.  I loved it so much that it is one of the very few albums I brought with me for my road trip across Canada this week. 

While “Insensitive” is probably the most recognizable track from the album, my favorite song is “Good Mother.”  There is no official video for it but you can listen to …read more

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