LIVESPLOSION: Canada

Last night, two hours before the much-heralded LA rock act The Deadly Syndrome wrapped up their residency, a group of younger-than-usual musicians stepped up on-stage at Spaceland. Seven in number, the group resembled a marching band gone terrifically wrong, sporting all manner of percussion, string and plastic instruments from their seemingly endless treasure trove. For a crowd of barely 30, these kids bounded from instrument to instrument, song to song, with a sugar-high glee that was both infectious and addictive.

This band is called Canada. They are from Michigan. And in a night of much more "professional" (read: older) bands, they were the tops.

To watch Canada initially is to see their influences. Switching instruments at break-neck speeds, screaming to one another in un-miked unison choruses, they could barely escape references to The Arcade Fire or AIH. They're guitar-centric, acoustic brand of inventive folk-rock brought to mind Elephant Six staples, or progeny (the Decemberists and Beirut both sway clear influence). In fact, a listen to their debut album, "This Cursed House" confirms a sense of "been-there-done-that" about the band's sound. But to look at Canada as simply a hodge-podge of influences gives the band far too little credit. Their live show is phenomenally fun and inventive, like watching an excited drama club right before a big high school show. They seem to be friends as much as anything, and every member can be seen singing along with any given Canada melody, miked or not. They seem to not just take pride in what they do, but also joy.


It reminded me of The Polyphonic Spree's guest appearance on Scrubs. For those that haven't seen it, a patient is brought into the hospital for surgery, and is depressed that he won't be able to tour with his band. He's very distraught, and the doctors argue over whether or not to let his band visit him, since they're technically not family. And when they are finally let in, the ginormous rock cult that is The Polyphonic Spree storm the hospital and play with joy unbridled, brightening all spirits in the process and reminding us that music is not just about being cool, it's about transcendence. At the risk of sounding unbearably cheesy, this is what Canada did at Spaceland last night.

They're in town a few more days, at the Silverlake Lounge tonight, and after that off to Arizona (according to their cellist). If you have a chance to check them out, do it, even if it's at their myspace or official website. They'll put a smile on your face while they explode your head.