In light of the sad events of this past week, it seemed inappropriate to continue with our playlist series highlighting the works of artists lost too soon (read part 1, part 2, and part 3). But fortunately, today is Canada Day and I am choosing to celebrate the Canadian musical legacy. I have wrote in the past about the unfortunate misconception that Nickelback is Canadian music. Although they may get all the press, there are a number of other bands that are much more listenable.

Canada has been a hotbed of indie music over the last several years, which has been thoroughly documented through the rise in fame of artists like Feist, Arcade Fire and The New Pornographers. Not that these groups aren’t worth mentioning further, but there has also been steady growth in the number of harder edged bands and Canada is really embracing them. That, to me, is something to celebrate. It is incredible that a band like Protest the Hero can have the number one selling album in the country.

Protest the Hero - “Sequoia Throne”
Moneen - “If Tragedy’s Appealing, Then Disaster’s an Addiction”
Boys Night Out - “I Got Punched in the Nose for Sticking My Face in Other People’s Business”
Silverstein - “Vices”
Alexisonfire - “Young Cardinals”

Related posts:

1. Playlist - The Junos Aren’t Just About Nickleback
2. Playlist - Now That’s a Concept
3. Playlist