Vancouver Pop

The New Pornographers spearhead today's Vancouver pop scene, thanks to the talents of members A.C. Newman, Neko Case (also drummer/singer with Maow), drummer Kurt Dahle (of Limblifter/Todd Kerns), and bassist John Collins (of Evaporators). They're joined by peers Hot Hot Heat and the Organ, alongside classics by Mae Moore (produced by the Church's Steve Kilby) and the gentle Grapes of Wrath.

Vancouver's '80s scene was spearheaded by 54-40, whose B-side "I Go Blind" became a hit when covered by Hootie and the Blowfish. In the '90s, Cub created "cuddle core" and in so doing put fledgling Mint Records (home to the New Pornographers) on the map. Today, Black Mountain (led by charismatic Steve McBean) channels the Velvet Underground through a blurry Kinks aesthetic.

We open our Vancouver pop vaults with seminal tracks by '70s new wavers the Pointed Sticks (the only Canadians signed to Stiff Records); cult hero Art Bergman (here with his first band, the K-Tels); and solo sounds by Suzanne Little (Lava Hay), Paul Hyde (Payolas), and Nick Gilder (a very young Bryan Adams replaced him as singer with glam rockers Sweeney Todd).

Quirky, complex, literate, and possessing an impressive body of work that rewards with every listen, the New Pornographers are a blast of West Coast songwriting at its finest. In truth, Vancouver's influence on intelligent power pop has held sway since the early '70s — a fact reflected in our playlist, which contains the New Pornographers family tree; peers such as the Organ, Black Mountain, Piano, and Hot Hot Heat; plus the legacy of Pointed Sticks, Nick Gilder, Grapes Of Wrath, 54-40, Art Bergman, and others. Power up!