The Tragically Hip

The Tragically Hip

Sounds like

I like to think of the Hip as Canada’s ‘Rolling Stones’… Hopefully I don’t get hate for that statement.

Rocks because

Gordon Downie, the lead singer and lyricist has such an original, quirky voice and a crazy stage personality to match! I love the video for The Darkest One featuring the Trailer Park Boys! The Hip’s lyrics are among the best I’ve heard (alright, I’m biased). I can put on a Hip CD anytime and never feel the need to skip through the songs.

Fully Completely, 1992

My favourite album

Arghhh, what a tough decision! I love them all, but I think I have to go with Fully Completely (1992). It’s got kickass upbeat tunes like Courage, then some thinker songs like Pigeon Camera, rounded out by some slower belt-it-out songs like Wheat Kings. This is a good album for a long car ride on the highway by yourself.

Neil Young

Neil Young

Sounds like

Bob Dylan is the closest thing I can think of. Not the voice, but the music style. Van Morrison maybe?

Rocks because

To state the obvious, he’s a classic! Another distinctive voice and amazing lyricist (notice a trend?). I first fell in love with the guitar fingerpicking in The Needle and the Damage Done and then realized how fun it is to sing along with Harvest and Southern Man.

Harvest, 1972

My favourite album

Call me predictable, but Neil’s solo album Harvest (1972) is definitely my favourite. I love singing along to Harvest and the harmonica in Heart of Gold. I even love the heavier stuff like Old Man and The Needle and the Damage Done because the lyrics and guitar are amazing.  Check out his Greatest Hits album for many more awesome classics.

Blue Rodeo

Blue Rodeo

Sounds like

To me they kind of sound like a softer, more country-ish R.E.M. But that’s just me – check it out for yourself!

Rocks because

They’re a perfect blend of country and rock and have proven themselves by standing the test of time (albeit with several member changes). The song that roped me in was Lost Together, but I stuck around because of Till I Am Myself Again.  I absolutely love the harmonica, piano and wicked crazy guitar solo in 5 Days in May!

Five Days in July, 1993

My favourite album

Lost Together (1992) and Five Days in July (1993) tie for my favourite – there’s something about the early 90s that I find irresistible! The drummer changed in 1992, so maybe that has something to do with it.  Five Days in July is their most popular album yet.

Sloan

Sloan

Sounds like

The Flashing Lights, (someone help me out here?)

Rocks because

Sloan has a bajillion feel good tunes under their belt. All four band members write songs and usually the person who writes the song sings lead vocals, which gives a bit of interest to their albums. And amazingly, the songs all manage to stay true to the band’s sound / feel.

One Chord To Another, 1996

My favourite album

My favourite is One Chord To Another (1996) because it was the first Sloan CD I ever got, and I got it the summer after I bought my first car. The songs are short so your attention doesn’t fade, and they’re experimental: Everything You’ve Done Wrong has trumpets while A Side Wins has piano. The focus is always on the vocals though, which makes it easy to sing along with in the car (when I’m by myself I belt it out!)

Joel Plaskett

Joel Plaskett

Sounds like

I’m drawing a massive blank.

Rocks because

He’s been popular musically for nearly 20 years, yet he’s only 34! I’ve seen him live and he’s amazing on guitar, passionate, and has a confident voice. Ladies, he’s pretty hot too!

Down at the Khyber, 2001

My favourite album

Down at the Khyber (2001) is my favourite because of its patriotism in True Patriot Love and chilled out sad songs like Clueless Wonder and Unconditional Love. I actually like all of the albums that Joel Plaskett did with The Emergency. Truthfully Truthfully is another good one!

Noteworthy Mentions

• I Mother Earth

  This band rocks so hard. I should have mentioned it above but I was too lazy to do a full write-up. The album Scenery and Fish did not leave my stereo for two weeks straight!

• Age of Electric

• Treble Charger

• Hayden

• Matthew Good Band