The Best Canadian Psychedelic Rock Bands of the 2010s
The 2010s were an incredible decade for music, and that includes psychedelic rock. Here are some of the best Canadian psychedelic rock bands that released music during the 2010s.
Introduction
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as “psychedelia”, is a diverse style of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. Psychedelic rock is characterized by repetitive, often distorted guitar riffs, extended instrumental solos, and an overall trippy or dream-like atmosphere. The genre is often associated with the use of psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, and is often used as a way to achieve altered states of consciousness.
The 2010s saw a resurgence in popularity for psychedelic rock, with many new bands emerging on the scene. Here are some of the best Canadian psychedelic rock bands of the 2010s.
The Sadies
The Sadies are a Canadian psychedelic rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The group is composed of Dallas and Travis Good on guitars and vocals, Sean Dean on bass, Mike Belitsky on drums, and Ashley Webster-Barnes on keyboards. The band has released thirteen studio albums and several singles, as well as contributions to various compilations and film soundtracks. They have embarked on several North American and European tours.
The Besnard Lakes
The Besnard Lakes are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2003 in Montreal, Quebec. The group consists of husband and wife duo Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas, as well as Richard White and Kevin Laing. The band’s musical style has been described as “a mix of dream pop, shoegaze, and psychedelia”.
The group’s debut album, Volume 1, was released in 2004 to positive reviews from Canadian music critics. The album was nominated for the Juno Award for Best Alternative Album at the Juno Awards of 2005. The band’s follow-up album, Volume II, was released in 2007 and was also well-received by critics. The album was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize in 2008.
The Besnard Lakes’ third album,Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO, was released in 2013 to critical acclaim. The album was nominated for the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014.
The fourth Besnard Lakes album, A Coliseum Complex Museum, was released on October 14, 2016. On September 21, 2017, the band released a five-song EP titled Beware of Dog which included the single “Don’t Get Close”.
Black Mountain
In 2008, Black Mountain released their sophomore album In the Future to widespread acclaim. The Vancouver-based band was praised for their heavy, riff-driven sound, which drew comparisons to classic rock titans like Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. On In the Future, Black Mountain expanded their sonic palette to include more electronic and experimental elements, resulting in an even more immersive and psychedelic listening experience.
In the years that followed, Black Mountain remained one of the most consistent and popular psychedelic rock bands around. They released another well-received album, 2012’s Wilderness Heart, and toured extensively throughout Canada and the United States. In 2018, they returned with their fifth studio album Destroyer, which was once again met with critical acclaim.
If you’re looking for a Canadian psychedelic rock band that can transport you to another realm with their music, Black Mountain is a great choice.
Japandroids
Japandroids are a Canadian rock duo formed in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2006. The band consists of Brian King (guitar, vocals) and David Prowse (drums, vocals). Japandroids’ musical style has been categorized as punk rock, garage rock, and indie rock.
The band released its debut album Post-Nothing in 2009 to critical acclaim. The album was nominated for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. The band’s second album, Celebration Rock, was released in 2012 to similar acclaim. The album was nominated for the 2013 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. In 2016, the band released their third album Near to the Wild Heart of Life to further acclaim; it was nominated for the 2017 Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.
Conclusion
In the 2010s, Canadian psychedelic rock bands continued to gain popularity both in Canada and internationally. Bands like The Besnard Lakes, Owls by Nature, and Suuns gained critical acclaim for their innovative and mind-bending sounds. With the resurgence of interest in psychedelic rock, these bands are sure to continue to be at the forefront of the genre for years to come.
