Parkas & Two Hours Traffic: Score Two for Canada

Continuing our tradition of making music that just can't suck, here two of Canada's indie acts you should check out:

Two Hours Traffic: So Joel Plaskett has fine ears too. Plaskett produces this PEI quartet on their second full-length, the deceptively titled Little Jabs. More like joyous punches. Forget Pitchfork pop, this is the perfect soundtrack for summer canoodlers, complete with sing-along zingers and head-bopping harmonies. These guys are happy, and they think you should be too. Get it. OK. Get it.

Nighthawks
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Parkas: I threw Parkas' Put Your Head in the Lion's Mouth after Little Jabs and got some yin to that yang. One of those records with, as they say, immediate appeal. Hear: "Forget Forgiveness and break out the belt and the buckle/'cause what we need is a few good martyrs." Finally someone understands. Alternating between spare ballads and jaunty rockers, the Parkas offer a tempered take on cynicism. Whatever that means. Just shut up and listen to that Margaret Atwood song!

Raggedy Ann
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Buy.