With the world about to descend on our doorstep and take in some good ol' Canuck hospitality at the Vancouver Olympics, it's nice to know our neighbours to the south appreciate us. Well, at least Portland Oregon pop-punkers The Thermals do. In the midst of recording their fifth LP with long-time collaborator Chris Walla, the band have written us a love song. The track "Canada" was penned by the band's singer, Hutch Harris, after a not-so-great gig in Buffalo and it captures the feelings of joy and excitement the band experienced as they crossed the border into our home and native land (in this case, for a show the next day at the Horseshoe). The pristine-sounding track rolls out the explosive power-pop sound that the band have made their signature, and revs up the anticipation for the new disc (to be released later this year via Kill Rock Stars). As for Death Cab guitarist Walla, the song represents the latest in a series of flirtations with CanRock. He's produced the last two Tegan and Sara records and has been working with Gord Downie on the Tragically Hip poet's forthcoming solo set.
With thanks to The Thermals, you can sample our new official Olympic indie-rock national anthem below before it's made available for sale this Tuesday (Feb. 9) on iTunes.
The Thermals - Canada by killrockstars
SPEAKING OF NATIONAL ANTHEMS…
Due to overwhelming demand, The National have added a second show at Massey Hall on June 9. Tickets go on sale this Friday at Ticketmaster.
WHIGGIN' OUT
One of the best straight-up guitar-rock albums of 2008 was Mission Control by Athens Georgia band The Whigs. It blasted from the speakers with a sense of urgency and immediacy that made each listen feel like the last rock you were ever gonna roll. On March 16, the band releases its follow up, In The Dark (ATO). Produced by Ben Allen, who oversaw the recording of Animal Collective's 2009 commercial breakthrough, Merriweather Post Pavilion,
the new disc swaps some of the explosivness for a more open sound and plays like the perfect companion for a long road trip. Pack now!
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