The Real British Empire

When most people think of the British Empire, they think of a bunch of pasty face, wig wearing, Victorian Era prudes whose only interests were tea, and conquering all those who didn't look like them until half the world map was red. Well, Ok, maybe not that much has changed. However, I suggest to you that the most powerful and influential empire that the British ever had and ever will have, is their music. That's right, the volume and quality of music to come out of the UK is unsurpassed by any nation, and in my opinion it never will be. Back in the 1960's, well before most of you were around, the British Invasion began and bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were introduced to America. This began a trend that was followed up by the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Clash, Elton John and others. (U2 is proudly Irish, so they are in their own category). These are all household names, and their music is not only timeless, it is still better than anything out there today. Granted there is only so many places to go with music, but these men were the ones that paved the way for the music of today, and their work is simply incredible, as is their talent. The United States has produced the likes of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, CCR, Aerosmith, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Jimi Hendrix and others, but their work is secondary compared to much of the work of the Brits. Though other than Jimmy Page, Hendrix and Clapton are arguably the best to ever pick up a guitar...And is it just me or do American Rock Stars tend to take it to far? - Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin, Cobain - all gone long before their time. Not that the Brits stayed off drugs - just look at Keith Richards or listen to any late Beatles or Zeppelin album. This aside the Brits will always have their music and with up and coming bands like Bloc Party and the Arctic Monkeys which my roommates introduced me too, the future looks bright for them. For anyone interested in more modern music, check out my buddy Casey Li's blog as he is much more interested/informed/intelligent on the matter of music then myself, and has some great stuff posted on his blog in regards to newer music. Now, to put an end to this speech, here is a list of some of my favorite Canadian bands, out of patriotic duty, in no particular order. Enjoy.

The Guess Who, BTO, Rush, Stabilo, Sloan, OLP, Neil Young, GOB, Treble Charger, The Tragically Hip, Arcade Fire, Steppenwolf, Sam Roberts