Today, I met a girl.

We got talking, and the subject of music came up. She asked for my top ten favourite bands, in no particular order. Here's the answer I gave her:

• The Beach Boys
• The Beatles
• David Bowie
• The Cars
• The Doors
• The Eagles
• Billy Joel
• Pink Floyd
• Simon and Garfunkel
• Supertramp

I didn't include any artists with fewer than five albums (think The United States of America, Big Star, etc.), since their volume of work is too small to earn them a place amng my "all time" favourites.

This list contains no artists who debuted in the '80s or later. The majority of music I listen to can be placed in that category, but certainly not as much as it would appear, based on this list.

I'd say it's an accurate representation of my tastes as a whole--a bit of psych, a bit of prog, a bit of folk, a bit of country, and a whole lot of power pop--but the most revealing tidbit is that almost all the artists I listed rely heavily on vocal harmony.

I guess I'm just a sucker for it.

I notice you didn't tell us what her response was.

'Wow! You're just like my dad! What're doing later today? Want to have dinner?'

You have better taste, but I listen to Kanye more than anyone on your list with the possible exception of David Bowie.

:laughing: To be fair, most of my favourite modern acts have released fewer than five albums, so I didn't consider them.

Really? Didn't think you were into hip-hop much.

Dude! You coulda been hittin' that!

In my area, you can pick up three FM radio stations that play music. One is CBC Radio 2. They play classical in the morning and switch to Canadian indie stuff some time in the afternoon. Most of the latter bores me to death, and I don't often tune in the radio for long enough to enjoy classical, so it doesn't get much airplay. Another plays "hot new country". Although I've never actually listened to it, "hot new country" holds very little appeal for me. The third is a classic rock station. I often go to it if I'm hanging out with a friend or don't feel like a "challenging" listen. Plus, almost every store and restaurant in town uses it as their overhead music.

Canadian radio stations have regulations in place that require a certain percentage of airtime to be devoted to Canadian content, or, as the natives affectionally call it, "CanCon". This leads to a great many of the same songs being played over and over again. However, I enjoy quite a bit of it.

One band that gets far too much airplay is The Tragically Hip. Words fail me. I absolutely loathe them. These guys have a street named after them in Kingston, Ontario.



Bachman-Turner Overdrive have produced some of the most boring songs in rock 'n' roll history.



Of course there's also some excellent stuff. Chilliwack, who take their name from a city in British Columbia, have a particularly nice sound.



I posted this Harlequin tune in the "What Are You Listening To Right Now" thread a couple days ago. Powerful choruses with catchy synth hooks? Yes please.



Trooper had quite a few hits, but this one sticks with me the most.



The Stampeders (obviously from Calgary, Alberta) were a one-hit wonder. But oh, what a one.



The Guess Who get plenty of airtime, although you'd think they'd only recorded about three songs, based on what's played. This one's my favourite.



Now, onto the really good stuff.

The Band are quickly becoming one of my favourite groups, thanks in part to the fabulous Last Waltz.



I've actually had the pleasure of meeting Gordon Lightfoot. He's a pretty cool guy in person.



Blue Rodeo are an excellent country rock group whom I've seen live. This isn't their "best song", but it's my favourite.



Despite their name, Barenaked Ladies are not female (although they have recorded in the nude upon occasion). Their harmonies are stunning, their are lyrics tongue-in-cheek, and their styles are varied. I love this song in particular because of its Beach Boys references.



And of course, I can't forget Neil Young!



Wow, that entry grew much longer than I had originally intended. Hope you enjoyed it and weren't too overwhelmed by the quantity of videos.

Someone uploaded the house footage of the entire unedited Last Waltz concert to Youtube. Obviously it's pretty long, but definitely try to watch it.

Anyway, the Band are one of my favorite groups as well, but I think that Barenaked Ladies are way more overrated than the (still pretty mediocre) Tragically Hip. Although that might just be because my dad likes the former.

I'll definitely watch that.

We can agree, however, that BTO are far worse than either.