some thoughts on the music of canada

Nobody cares about what's popular in America. No matter what country you're in, chances are, you're listening to it. Canada is pretty much the same, I guess... but unfortunately, most of what gets recorded in Canada stays in Canada.
I was 7 years old and the first song I ever loved was "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies. I thought it was funny. Throughout my childhood, my family accumulated the band's complete discography. They had some hits in the US, but they are legitimately heroes of Canadian radio. 1-Because they're Canadian. 2-They think it's funny. These are hilarious reasons for a band to reach nationwide strardom, but this is Canada. Sometimes it's easy to forget what real Canadian music is all about: FREEDOM.

America has this legitimate concept that freedom is to be fought for. Canada believes in freedom too. But they believe it's a mindset; an atmosphere. You live in a country that doesn't nobody hates and you don't hate any other countries. There's plenty of open space. You're born free. Sometimes freedom isn't the sound of a Dixie band playing 1930's John Philip Sousa marches, nor does it sound like 3 Doors Down (but I guess even Canada loves Nickelback). Freedom can be expressed through fresh, unique instrumentation and lyrical exemption. And here we have the clarity, depression and bizarre spirituality of Leonard Cohen. Here we have the jazz-influenced, peace-loving  Joni Mitchell. Here we have the ragged personality and overtly political Neil Young. Here we have the story-telling and beautiful layering of The Band.
I guess there was a dry period for Canadian music. The UK and the US definitely had some musical edge during the 70s and 80s in order to fight their conservative leadership. Meanwhile, Rush was secretly among the most sonic, ambitious prog-rock bands ever. Cowboy Junkies is probably my pick for "most-Canadian-sounding" band from the 1980s, tying in the young genre of alternative rock with their more obvious Canadian folk influences.
I'm not going to say anything about the Tragically Hip or Bryan Adams.
The 1990s was a rebirth decade for Canadian music, at least among Canadians. Walk into a Canadian supermarket and you're bound to hear stuff by Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette or the Barenaked Ladies. McLachlan was the baroque pop version of Joni, Morissette was a hippie, and BnL was (at one point) a good ol' zany Canadian folk band.
The past 15 years have been great for Canada on a critical scale. Arcade Fire brought some unique grandiosity with raw, powerful classical instrumentation. Broken Social Scene used instrumental variety to represent the sorrows and joys of youth, and has since blessed us with great side projects. The New Pornographers were an indie pop band unafraid to cover intellectual topics. The 00s belonged to Montreal and I feel like the 10s will belong to Vancouver.
The past of Canada's music history is unfortunately taken for granted here in the states (On the Beach, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Music from Big Pink, Songs of Love and Hate, ETC). But the future of Canadian music full of hope and, yes, freedom.