Canuck Rock:
A History of Canadian Popular Music
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by Ryan Edwardson
University of Toronto Press, UTP, Toronto, 2009 $27.95
Like most patriotic Canucks, I have plenty of Canadian content scattered throughout my CD collection. The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, and Sloan are just a few of the bands I grew up with. However, my collection also boasts plenty of American rock and metal albums; yes, I too went through my big-hairband phase in the 1980s.
In Canuck Rock: A History of Canadian Popular Music, author Ryan Edwardson gives us an academic’s view of Canadian popular music history from the 1950s to contemporary times. It’s an informative tome, offering plenty of analysis and details regarding the music that makes up the sonic fabric of Canada.
The early sections focus on the American influence on the Canadian rock scene, while later chapters weigh the pros and cons of heading south in search of commercial success.
Canuck Rock is not for casual fans of Canadian music who are looking for a breezy read. But if you are yearning for a heavy dose of CanCon, then this book is for you.
— Mark Collin Reid (Read bio)
Mark Collin Reid is the Editor-in-Chief of Canada's History.