Toronto Mike

The Top 102 Canadian New Rock Songs

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As previously mentioned, CFNY Edge 102 counted down the top 102 Canadian new rock songs of all time today.  They just aired Underwhelmed seconds ago, so you're getting this awfully quick.  I threw this together while watching the Leafs game and filled in the cracks with a little help from my friends.

  1. Sloan, Underwhelmed - One of my ten Canadian tracks, and it's a word!
  2. The Tragically Hip, New Orleans is Sinking - No brainer.  You could see this coming a hundred miles away.  It's another of my ten Canadian tracks, to top it off.  Only one song could beat this one...
  3. The Demics, New York City - If they were going to celebrate a Canadian punk song from the late 70s, this is the one to celebrate because it's the best of the bunch.  They were local, too.
  4. Arcade Fire, Rebellion (Lies) - Props to CFNY for putting Arcade Fire in the top ten, even if it's the wrong Arcade Fire song.
  5. Nickelback, How You Remind Me - I call bullshit.
  6. The Pursuit of Happiness, I'm An Adult Now - Now we're talking!  I recently shared the video for this song.  This is a band I have fond memories of and I included this song as one of my ten Canadian tracks.
  7. Billy Talent, River Below - The Billy Talent love-in continues...
  8. Spirit Of The West, Home For A Rest - I don't think you're allowed to listen to this song once you've graduated from university.
  9. Martha & The Muffins, Echo Beach - You knew this was coming.  It had to be there, 'nuff said.
  10. AlexisOnFire, This Could Be Anywhere In The World - The ranking of this tune has clearly been inflated based on the fact it's a recent hit.  Think back to when Bush's "Swallowed" was ranked the top video in the history of MuchMusic.  I dig this tune though, and led off SLS16 with it.
  11. Our Lady Peace, Naveed - This is one of my favourite OLP song.  It's true, you can look it up.
  12. Rough Trade, High School Confidential - These lists are always fairly predictable.  Certain songs must be listed to prove it's not biased towards recent songs.  High School Confidential is a fine tune, but should it be this high on the list?  Of course not.
  13. Finger Eleven, One Thing - I call bullshit.  "One Thing" was popular, and had mass appeal, but it's not Finger Eleven's best work and it doesn't belong in the top 102
  14. The Gandharvas, The First Day Of Spring - Great choice.  I was just thinking about this song.
  15. The Viletones, Screamin Fist - I'm man enough to admit I didn't know this song.  These lists need late 70s punk songs, and it seems The Demics and The Diodes weren't enough.
  16. Sam Roberts, Brother Down - After hearing the latest Sam Roberts album, my respect for this dude has soared.  Brother Down is a fine tune that appeared on SLS8.
  17. Matthew Good Band, Apparitions - I knew Matt Good was going to be on this list somewhere, and this is probably their biggest hit.  I once interviewed him.
  18. The Diodes, Tired of Waking Up Tired - I got to know this song when CBC radio was putting together their list of essential Canadian music.  It's a neat tune, and you've got to pay respect to the pioneers, eh?
  19. The Tragically Hip, Wheat Kings - A truly beautiful, Canadian classic.  I'm tearing up just writing about it.
  20. Alanis Morissette, You Oughta Know - Is this "new rock"?  Maybe... but it's the only tune of hers that might qualify as such.
  21. Barenaked Ladies, If I Had $1000000 - This one is from that yellow tape and therefore worthy.  I'm surprised it's not higher.
  22. Lowest Of The Low, Eternal Fatalist - I recently shared this one.  Shakespeare My Butt still rulez!
  23. Pure, Anna is a Speed Freak - I hadn't heard this one in years.  It's great!
  24. The Extras, Circular Impression - If you listened to the most recent Humble & Fred podcast, you heard me request this song.
  25. Blue Rodeo, Diamond Mine - I'm always surprised when they play Blue Rodeo on 102.1.  I wrote about that, and the fact this is my favourite Blue Rodeo song, right here.
  26. Tea Party, The River - It's my favourite song from a band I never really liked.
  27. Teenage Head, Let's Shake - Good shite... classic.
  28. Death From Above 1979, Romantic Rights - I'm happy to hear this one up there.  It's recent, but it's awesome.  In fact, it was my second favourite song of 2005.
  29. Moist, Push - Here's the Moist song I was waiting for...
  30. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, Having An Average Weekend - This song will forever be loved for it's promise a hilarious Kids in the Hall episode is forthcoming.
  31. Treble Charger, Red - Everybody's favourite Treble Charger song belongs on this list.
  32. Three Days Grace, (I Hate) Everything About You - Hmmm, this one is debatable.  If a Three Days Grace song had to be ranked this high, I suppose we're lucky it was this one.
  33. Men Without Hats, The Safety Dance - Many forget this one is Canadian.  It's one of the better 80s tunes, but is it "new rock"?
  34. Odds, Eat My Brain - Speaking of Canadian videos that featured cameos from other Canadian artists, the video for this tune had cool appearances by Junkhouse and The Pursuit of Happiness.
  35. I Mother Earth, One More Astronaut - Other IME songs should have been ranked ahead of this one.
  36. Payolas, Eyes Of A Stranger - I hear this one all the time on my Oh What A Feeling albums, and it always takes me back.
  37. Neverending White Lights, The Grace - Again, this song is sweet and all but experienced a higher than appropriate ranking because it's so fresh.
  38. Econoline Crush, All That You Are - I knew these guys were going to make the top 102.  My favourite factoid about them is the fact their band name comes from a Neil Young lyric.
  39. Doughboys, Shine - I was hoping the Doughboys would break through, and this is probably their best song.
  40. Bedouin Soundclash, When The Night Feels My Song - I call bullshit.  This song doesn't belong in the top 102.
  41. City And Colour, Save Your Scissors - This dude is all over the top 102, isn't he?  We've got him with Alexisonfire and Neverending White Lights.  Enough is enough!
  42. Blue Peter, Don't Walk Past - Do I know this song?
  43. The Tragically Hip, Fifty Mission Cap - How can I complain about a Hip song about Bashin' Bill?
  44. Sloan, Coax Me - Great selection.  Nobody will complain about this one.
  45. 54-40, Ocean Pearl - It's easy to forget these guys, but they were so damn consistent.  Hit after hit after hit, and I rarely think about them.
  46. Our Lady Peace, Clumsy - I'm cool with this.
  47. Rusty, Misogyny - Yay, Rusty!  We were just talking about them.
  48. Parachute Club, Rise Up - Sadly, I only think of that damn McCain's commercial now.  I know the song meant something to this city, but kids today are only thinking about frozen pizza.
  49. Sum 41, Pieces - I beg to differ.
  50. Arcade Fire, Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) - All of Funeral could have made this list.
  51. Spoons, Nova Heart - This is another song I know from the Oh What A Feeling collection.
  52. Billy Talent, Devil In A Midnight Mass - CFNY hearts Billy Talent.
  53. New Pornographers, Mass Romantic - Great selection.
  54. Northern Pikes, Teenland - I am so glad this song made the list.  In primary school I used this song for an independent study project while in the gifted program.  True story...
  55. K-OS, Crucial - I'm a little surprised this song made the list, even though I dig this dude.
  56. 54-40, Baby Ran - Just to repeat myself, this band was solid and quite under appreciated.
  57. Vital Sines, Collage - Don't laugh, but I'm pleading ignorance.
  58. Nickelback, Someday - I call bullshit.
  59. Sum 41, Fat Lip - I suppose this song had to be here.
  60. Breeding Ground, Happy Now I Know - I don't know this tune, do I?
  1. Metric, Dead Disco - Ahead of Combat Baby?  No way, Jose.
  2. The Tragically Hip, Bobcaygeon - You'd better believe it.
  3. Chalk Circle, April Fool - This was my first concert!
  4. Our Lady Peace, Starseed - This list was going to be heavy on the OLP and Hip because they couldn't ignore the staples.
  5. I Mother Earth, So Gently We Go - My favourite IME song, for what it's worth.
  6. Dream Warriors, My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style - I'm very happy they didn't forget the Dream Warriors.  I loved this album from King Lou and Capital Q from Jane and Finch.
  7. Sarah McLachlan, Possession - Ya gotta respect the queen of Canadian new rock.
  8. Tea Party, Temptation - I'm calling bullshit on this one.
  9. Images In Vogue, Lust For Love - One of my favourite 80s songs!
  10. Sloan, The Other Man - Sloan's all over this list, and rightly so.
  11. 54-40, One Gun - This was the first song I ever heard on MuchMusic on the first day it fell to our cable tier.
  12. Rheostatics, Record Body Count - These guys never really broke, but every critic adores them.
  13. Sam Roberts, Where Have All The Good People Gone - Nice choice.
  14. Grapes Of Wrath, All The Things I Wasn't - Brilliant selection.  I loved this tune.
  15. Skinny Puppy, Testure - Not my cup of tea.
  16. Mobile, Out Of My Head - I'll pass, it's too poppy and too recent.
  17. Nickelback, Photograph - Bullshit!!!
  18. B. B. Gabor, Nyet Nyet (Soviet Jewelry) - I'm pleading ignorance.
  19. Three Days Grace, Animal I Have Become - Nice try 'NY, this ain't the Thursday 30.
  20. Hot Hot Heat, Bandages - I'm glad Hot Hot Heat made the list.
  21. Jane Siberry, Mimi On The Beach - I must confess to never liking this song.  I know I'm supposed to, but it bores me to tears.
  22. The Tragically Hip, Locked In The Trunk Of A Car - It's better for us if you don't understand.
  23. Big Wreck, That Song - My brothers hated this song, but I always like it.  It seems I'm not alone!
  24. Trans-X, Living On Video/Vivre Sur Video - I'm pleading ignorance.
  25. Watchmen, Stereo - I miss these guys.
  26. Limblifter, Ariel Vs. Lotus - I hadn't heard this one in a while.  It's nice, but I don't think it's top 102-worthy.
  27. Pukka Orchestra, Might As Well Be On Mars - I think the Edge was short on 80s music.  Cool video, tho.
  28. Hayden, In September - Wasn't I just writing about Hayden?  I love this song.
  29. Strange Advance, Worlds Away - I'd have preferred We Run.
  30. The Forgotten Rebels, I'm In Love With The System (Not Myself) - I get it.  You have to acknowledge our punk scene from the late 70s if you're going to recognize Nickelback's Someday.  It's still not a fair trade.
  31. The Weakerthans, The Reasons - I caught these guys in the summer and this song was a highlight.  When they recreate this list in five years, the Weakerthans won't make the cut.
  32. Barenaked Ladies, Be My Yoko Ono - Our first BNL song and a CFNY favourite, I'm surprised it's not ranked higher.
  33. Chalk Circle, This Mourning - This was my first concert!
  34. Billy Talent, Try Honesty - How many Billy Talent songs made the top 102?
  35. illScarlett, Heaters - Even though I really dig this tune, only time will tell if it belongs on a list like this.  I suspect it doesn't.
  36. Pursuit Of Happiness, Hard To Laugh - From the awesome Love Junk, this was a great single.
  37. I Mother Earth, Not Quite Sonic - Three tunes from IME is just a little too much.  At least replace this one with Levitate.
  38. Tea Party, Save Me - No way, how can we have three Tea Party songs and only one Moist song?
  39. Rheostatics, Claire - I'm a little surprised another Rheostatics song beat out this one.
  40. Delerium, Flowers Become Screens - Zzzzzzz.
  41. Death From Above 1979, Black History Month - The first of two DFA1979 songs, it's too bad they're now defunct.
  42. Our Lady Peace, Superman's Dead - A great start to the list, OLP had a major hit with this tune.
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