Punk
Readers Poll Results 2005
Propagandhi
Potemkin City Limits (G7 Welcoming Committee)
"All I have to say is what band waits four years to write a punk album? Propagandhi. What band waits for years and keeps on getting better and better? Propagandhi. A lot of people were very sceptical about this release from Canada's political leaders in the music industry but I think it speaks for itself. This is one of the only bands that keep getting better and better as they keep getting older and older." Cody Kuchirka, Saskatoon SK
"Most intense, emotional album from them yet." Nate Terry, Toronto ON
"Canada's greats have returned with an intelligent, angry and progressive album that may have some of the sharpest lyrics in years." Bryan Cook, Stoney Creek ON
"When I'm angry, they let me know there are others just like me. Honest and straightforward. What punk should be." Johnny White, Toronto ON
"Easily their best album. Heavier, longer and more consistent than Today's Empires. Plus, it has a half-minute hardcore breakdown courtesy of Todd in Super Bowl Patriot.' I think this album will be on everyone's year-end list." Adam Medley, Oshawa ON
"I'll forgive them for taking the better part of a decade to release every album, because it just keeps getting better and better. Propagandhi are still, at heart, a punk band, but do the math on this record, and just about every note and drum fill screams metal, in the best of ways: they take the technical power and creativity of metal, and fill it with the attitude of punk rock. Propagandhi have reached both their smartest and their most bitter, which is saying quite a bit, since they were already about the smartest and bitterest punk band around. They continue to set the bar for aggressive music, and not just in Canada. All my allegiance is tied to Propagandhi Winnipeg's greatest export." Bill Cameron, Toronto ON
"More pissed-off, more melodic, more aggressive, more awesome! The wait was worth it!" Russ Lavoie, Calgary AB
"Even though it lacks the pop sensibility of Less Talk it's good to see one band still sticking to their roots." Nicholas Boshart, Montreal QC
"Riveting and powerful, these prairie subversives once again prove intelligence and abundant talent. John K. who? Vive the Rod!" Cory Montemurro, Edmonton AB
"Prairie skids done real good! Eh?" Genevieve Selfridge, Edmonton AB
"Holy shit this album picks up right where Today's Empires left off. Fast angry punk that'll make the most passive left winger want to start a revolution" Adam Paterson, London ON
"The only punk band around that matters." Landon Halloran, Ladysmith BC
2. Against Me!
Searching for a Former Clarity (Fat Wreck)
"Against Me! showed us the next logical step in their always great career." Dominic Sauvageau, Montreal QC
"The way music should be from the heart." Jeffrey Loretta, Toronto ON
"Despite the somewhat uncomfortable movement of Against Me! from the raw recordings of the Plan-It-X days, to where they are now with clean production and Fat Wreck, they've still managed to put out a great and introspective album." Nate McGee, Edmonton AB
"J. Robbins's production brings out some great moments. Don't Lose Touch' is one of the best singles I've heard in the past few months." Sean Moore, Camrose BC
3. Protest the Hero
Kezia (Underground Operations)
"A fucking epic album! I've been watching them since they were 16 years old and all along had a feeling great things were in store for these kids. Then comes along Kezia; simply a mind-blowing album that is set to gain them the recognition they truly deserve." Samantha Everts, Ottawa ON
"Pure awesomeness." Kalle Wainio, Sault Ste. Marie ON
"Goddamn amazing!" David Norman, Guelph ON
"Great album with some high energy rockers!" Andrew Clendinning, Peterborough ON
"These guys put on an amazing show. Crazy." Lisa Hollas, Toronto ON
4. Comeback Kid
Wake the Dead (Smallman)
"It's just awesome: sing-along, moshing, two-step everything kids want to listen to is possible with this clever Canadian band." Yong Ho Cho, Scarborough ON
"Throat ripping screaming never sounded so good." Jeff Lockwood, Vancouver BC
"I didn't think I could take hardcore seriously but my mind changed after listening to this record." Andrew Rampersaud, Toronto ON
"Solid Winnipeg feel great vibes and great messages." Ian Sturko, Winnipeg MB
5. Gogol Bordello
Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike (Side One Dummy)
"World music punk rock. These guys are definitely one of the best bands I discovered this year. This is a music that is may be hard to explain but you have to give an earshot." Guillaume Rioux, Montreal QC
"Such a different take on punk music, fusing world instruments and themes with old school Clash-era punk rock and some ska influences." John Papamarko, Toronto ON
Readers Poll Results 2005
PropagandhiPotemkin City Limits (G7 Welcoming Committee)
"All I have to say is what band waits four years to write a punk album? Propagandhi. What band waits for years and keeps on getting better and better? Propagandhi. A lot of people were very sceptical about this release from Canada's political leaders in the music industry but I think it speaks for itself. This is one of the only bands that keep getting better and better as they keep getting older and older." Cody Kuchirka, Saskatoon SK
"Most intense, emotional album from them yet." Nate Terry, Toronto ON
"Canada's greats have returned with an intelligent, angry and progressive album that may have some of the sharpest lyrics in years." Bryan Cook, Stoney Creek ON
"When I'm angry, they let me know there are others just like me. Honest and straightforward. What punk should be." Johnny White, Toronto ON
"Easily their best album. Heavier, longer and more consistent than Today's Empires. Plus, it has a half-minute hardcore breakdown courtesy of Todd in Super Bowl Patriot.' I think this album will be on everyone's year-end list." Adam Medley, Oshawa ON
"I'll forgive them for taking the better part of a decade to release every album, because it just keeps getting better and better. Propagandhi are still, at heart, a punk band, but do the math on this record, and just about every note and drum fill screams metal, in the best of ways: they take the technical power and creativity of metal, and fill it with the attitude of punk rock. Propagandhi have reached both their smartest and their most bitter, which is saying quite a bit, since they were already about the smartest and bitterest punk band around. They continue to set the bar for aggressive music, and not just in Canada. All my allegiance is tied to Propagandhi Winnipeg's greatest export." Bill Cameron, Toronto ON
"More pissed-off, more melodic, more aggressive, more awesome! The wait was worth it!" Russ Lavoie, Calgary AB
"Even though it lacks the pop sensibility of Less Talk it's good to see one band still sticking to their roots." Nicholas Boshart, Montreal QC
"Riveting and powerful, these prairie subversives once again prove intelligence and abundant talent. John K. who? Vive the Rod!" Cory Montemurro, Edmonton AB
"Prairie skids done real good! Eh?" Genevieve Selfridge, Edmonton AB
"Holy shit this album picks up right where Today's Empires left off. Fast angry punk that'll make the most passive left winger want to start a revolution" Adam Paterson, London ON
"The only punk band around that matters." Landon Halloran, Ladysmith BC
2. Against Me!
Searching for a Former Clarity (Fat Wreck)
"Against Me! showed us the next logical step in their always great career." Dominic Sauvageau, Montreal QC
"The way music should be from the heart." Jeffrey Loretta, Toronto ON
"Despite the somewhat uncomfortable movement of Against Me! from the raw recordings of the Plan-It-X days, to where they are now with clean production and Fat Wreck, they've still managed to put out a great and introspective album." Nate McGee, Edmonton AB
"J. Robbins's production brings out some great moments. Don't Lose Touch' is one of the best singles I've heard in the past few months." Sean Moore, Camrose BC
3. Protest the Hero
Kezia (Underground Operations)
"A fucking epic album! I've been watching them since they were 16 years old and all along had a feeling great things were in store for these kids. Then comes along Kezia; simply a mind-blowing album that is set to gain them the recognition they truly deserve." Samantha Everts, Ottawa ON
"Pure awesomeness." Kalle Wainio, Sault Ste. Marie ON
"Goddamn amazing!" David Norman, Guelph ON
"Great album with some high energy rockers!" Andrew Clendinning, Peterborough ON
"These guys put on an amazing show. Crazy." Lisa Hollas, Toronto ON
4. Comeback Kid
Wake the Dead (Smallman)
"It's just awesome: sing-along, moshing, two-step everything kids want to listen to is possible with this clever Canadian band." Yong Ho Cho, Scarborough ON
"Throat ripping screaming never sounded so good." Jeff Lockwood, Vancouver BC
"I didn't think I could take hardcore seriously but my mind changed after listening to this record." Andrew Rampersaud, Toronto ON
"Solid Winnipeg feel great vibes and great messages." Ian Sturko, Winnipeg MB
5. Gogol Bordello
Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike (Side One Dummy)
"World music punk rock. These guys are definitely one of the best bands I discovered this year. This is a music that is may be hard to explain but you have to give an earshot." Guillaume Rioux, Montreal QC
"Such a different take on punk music, fusing world instruments and themes with old school Clash-era punk rock and some ska influences." John Papamarko, Toronto ON