Easy Listening Canada

We don't want the fury of punk, the angst of emo, or the euphoria of techno . . . but we will happily settle for the finest songs (preferably of love) sung by the world's greatest performers (preferably Canadian) . . . and here they are, in one fabulous batch of homegrown easy listening Essentials. Celine Dion heads these mainstreamers into the Next Steps.

Although the Groover from Vancouver takes his cues from Spain for "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman," France is the true motherland here: Quebec's Lynda Lemay takes the acoustic road on "Une Mère," Marie Elaine Thibert strikes the perfect balance of vocal strength and purity on "Le Ciel est à Moi," and Dany Bédar implores "Reviens-Moi." Deep Cuts follow . . .

Raindrops on a window pain, warm clothing made from artisanal wool, a cup of something hot and chocolate-y . . . however you prefer to ingest the balm of easy listening, all these tracks are guaranteed to hit the spot, whether love has gone wrong ("We Can't Be Friends" by Deborah Cox) or is about to go blissfully, perfectly right (Amanda Marshall's "Marry Me").

Sure, these Essentials are kind on the ear, but there's far more to easy listening than a honeyed vocal, swooning strings, and a downy-soft production glaze. Here you will find the world-weary melancholy of Leonard Cohen ("Suzanne"), the Celtic new age-ism of Loreena McKennitt ("The Mummers' Dance"), the subtle comic wordplay of the Barenaked Ladies ("If I Had $1,000,000"), and the folk-rock genius of Neil Young ("Heart of Gold"). The common thread? These songs are so gorgeous, you'll want to buy them flowers and take them for a candlelit dinner. Enjoy.