The Decibel A mixtape of you: the summer of the Great Canadian Playlist
Dec 29, 2025
Rebecca Tucker, Deputy arts editor at The Globe and Mail, and Josh O'Kane, arts reporter, discuss the creation of a list of 101 essential Canadian albums, emphasizing music's role in shaping national identity. Singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett shares how Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' influences his work, while Tamara Lindeman of The Weather Station reflects on Jennifer Castle's album that shaped her songwriting. The conversation explores overlooked artists, CanCon policies, and the diverse experience of Canadian music, revealing its impact on culture.
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Updating The Canadian Canon
- Rebecca Tucker says the canonical view of Canadian music started with artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.
- The list deliberately expanded that canon to reflect diversity across Indigenous, queer, hip-hop, and artists of colour.
Influence As A Criterion
- Josh argues influence mattered: some albums are vital because they shaped genres beyond Canada, like Anvil's Metal on Metal.
- He wants listeners to know important Canadian contributions even if those records aren't mainstream favourites.
A North Star Album
- Joel Plaskett calls Joni Mitchell's Blue his 'North Star' since his teens and names specific lyrics that moved him.
- He describes Mitchell's music as an antenna that telegraphs cultural moments beyond their time.