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Exclaim!'s 20 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2012

News > Jan 03 2012

Exclaim!'s 20 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2012
By Alex HudsonNow that we have those best records of 2011 out of the way, we're ready to start digging into all of the great Canadian albums that 2012 will soon have to offer. The new year only just began, and we've already got a ton of stuff that we're excited about.

We were planning to do another Top 10 list like last year, but there is just so much great stuff that we can't bear to list any less than 20 (even though there are even more great-looking Canadian albums heading our way in 2012 not listed here). Seriously, 2012 looks as if it's going to be yet another amazing year for Canadian music, so join us in this little preview of what we're going to be treated to in the coming months.

Exclaim!'s 20 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2012:

20. Memoryhouse
The Slideshow Effect (February 28)
(Sub Pop)

We've been getting occasional low-key releases from these Guelph, ON-based dream poppers from a couple of years now, so it's about time that they dropped their debut LP. They will finally do so with this ten-song offering, which looks to scale back their signature hazy reverb in favour of front-and-centre vocals. The band have jokingly described their new sound as "Taylor Swift with Built to Spill as her backing band."

19. K-os
BLack on BLonde
(Universal Music Canada)

The rapper also known as Kevin Brereton has been talking about this one since 2010, when he promised it would arrive in 2011. Now, he's projected a 2012 release. He recently told Waterloo, ON student paper Imprint, "It's supposed to be a double album. I have a lot of songs right now and I'm trying to figure it out. The idea is two albums: the BLack album is supposed to be all hip-hop and R&B and the BLonde album rock'n'roll. But I feel people's attention spans are so short I don't know if I want to do a double album. I just wanted to separate the music."

18. The Elwins
And I Thank You (February 21)
(label TBA)

The Ontario indie pop outfit have already won us over with their energetic sound, so we're more than ready for their debut album. We're not entirely sure when this is going to arrive, but the band have already played us some songs during a Live from Exclaim! session, and we're plenty excited.

17. Bahamas
Barchords (February 7)
(Universal/Republic)

Toronto-based songwriter Afie Jurvanen earned no shortage of acclaim with his folksy 2009 effort Pink Strat, and now he's getting ready to drop the follow-up. This sophomore album apparently offers more folk tunes alongside blues- and pop-influenced tracks. We're hoping that it's also got a touch of his stripped-down live performances, since dude can seriously wail on an electric guitar.

16. Chains of Love
Strange Grey Days (release date TBA)
(Dine Alone Records)

This Vancouver soul-rock troupe earned plenty of attention in 2011 with their catchy, pop-friendly sound and singer Nathalia Pizarro's impressively wailing vocals. Now with some stellar label support, look for 2012 to be an even bigger year for these up-and-comers. Not a lot is known about this debut EP, but look for it to arrive early in the year.



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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10231
What about Eamon Mcgrath???
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10233
The Grimes album won't disappoint. It's her best yet.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10234
and what about Evening Hymns - Spectral Dust. I'm sure it will be one of the best of the year. I heard a rumor Julie Doiron will also have a new album.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10235
Over a "decease" in the making? COME ON, SON!!!
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10236
I'm excited about the new Joel Plaskett album. It's going to be massive.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10237
Woods of Ypres.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10238
#21: Rush--Clockwork Angels. Hard to believe that these guys have been touring for about a year and a half essentially on the back of a two-song single with the promise of a forthcoming album.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10239
jeeeze - canada is like so lame this year
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10240
Tragically Hip?
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10241
Matt Mays
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10242
Wintersleep
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10243
Monster Truck?
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January 03, 2012Scott10244
Donlands & Mortimer - New Mythology - Spring 2011
Brasstronaut - TBA - Spring 2011
Flotilla - TBA - Spring 2011
Run With the Kittens - Better When It's Planned - TBA 2011
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January 03, 2012Scott10245
And by 2011, I mean 2012
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10246
Sheepdogs record from the Rolling Stone Cover Win. What a year for that band
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10247
Billy Talent is the most publicly anticipated album.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10248
Lol, Grimes in front of Leonard Cohen.

That's like putting LMFAO in front of Bob Dylan.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10249
yesss - CHAINS of LOVE
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10250
LMFAO what a load of Crap this list is better Canadian music than this
crap LOL
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10251
yeah that's a pretty weak list. a couple good picks but a couple that people could care less about. it'd be smarter to call this "Alex Hudson's most anticipated records of 2012"
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10252
Hmm inclined also to be a wee bit perplexed by this list.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10253
Propagandhi!
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10254
what about Metric? Seems like that is a pretty major one to leave off the list.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10255
also, rufus wainwright.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10256
What about the new Rush album?
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10259
Someone mentioned the Sheepdogs. Watch a bumch of self-absorbed hacks. It's disappointing to hear that The Black Keys' Pat Carney is producing their next effort. They don't deserve his talent.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10260
What about Montreal's No Family? Does no one know about them?They're going to be releasing their debut album this year. Those folks are onto something.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10261
ZEUS, people.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10268
And Patrick Watson, where is he? Thought he had an album soon to be ready.
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January 03, 2012Nameless Poseur10271
jesus christ ... fucking GORGUTS much?
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January 04, 2012Nameless Poseur10278
VILLIPEND!
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January 04, 2012Nameless Poseur10279
What kind of list is that?!
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January 04, 2012Nameless Poseur10294
Eamon McGrath -- Young Canadians coming in the spring. Has to be on your list !!
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January 04, 2012Nameless Poseur10295
Rush, Wintersleep and McGrath get my votes.
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January 04, 2012Nameless Poseur10298
ladyhawk record.
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January 06, 2012Nameless Poseur10314
Propagandhi yes...
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January 09, 2012Nameless Poseur10359
Lookin forward to that new Metric album and FINALLY Saukrates.

Also Sebastien Grainger and Isis Salam(Thunderheist) are workin on solo albums too been fiendin for new ish, alot of projects comin in the next 10-12 months I expect about half of it to actually drop LOL.
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January 10, 2012Nameless Poseur10370
Uber boring list.
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January 10, 2012Nameless Poseur10376
Brian Borcherdt - Dusted!
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January 10, 2012Nameless Poseur10382
Gunna be a weak year for Canada if this is any indication. Last couple of years have been great (Tim Hecker, Owen Pallett, Destroyer, Arcade Fire, Women, Caribou, Colin Stetson, Weeknd, etc) so I figured this year would be slow. Japandroids is probably the only Canadian band I'm looking forward to this. My money's on a poor year for music in general.
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January 10, 2012Nameless Poseur10383
I lied. I'm also super excited about the new Ghostkeeper album. Testicles will explode.
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January 10, 2012Nameless Poseur10387
Bout time you separated the World and Soul music categories, dotcha think?
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January 10, 2012Nameless Poseur10388
I guess the music experts at Exclaim! are not anticipating anything in French this year...
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February 08, 2012Nameless Poseur11075
New recording from Toronto's Eamon McGrath coming up soon. Should be good and must be on your list.
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