THINK ABOUT LIFE

Origin: Montreal, QC
Category: EMERGING ANTLERS
Cherchez La Moose: Think About Life isn't really 'emerging' - they have been scene favourites in Montreal for over five years. They were one of the bands that didn't blow up alongside Wolf Parade, Stars, Arcade Fire, etc. during the mid-2000's Montreal Explosion. With 2009's Family, these guys proved that they're worthy of recognition. Their album launch was a huge party, with probably the biggest turnout that I've ever witnessed for a local indie show. Graham Van Pelt's side project Miracle Fortress has been a big success as well; he released his new album this past week. 

ESTHERO - 'Heaven Sent'

Origin: Stratford, ON
Category: NORTHERN ELIXIR
Cherchez La Moose: Esthero has had an interesting career. She was never a household name, but she always managed to come to mind because of her X Factor and a few great singles from 1998's Breath From Another. Her sophomore album arrived in 2005 to mixed reviews. Although it wasn't a commercial success, Esthero still stood out from the crowd thanks to her willingness to follow her own path and fuse styles regardless of their trendiness. She is still finding lots of work these days, but it is mostly behind the scenes in the music industry. Heaven Sent is getting Northern Elixired because it is an oddball single, the music video is fantastic, and because it's just so....Esthero. 

THE MOFFATTS

Origin: Tumbler Ridge, BC
Category: STUFFED CRUST PIZZA
Cherchez La Moose: The Moffatts were basically the Canadian version of Hanson. They didn't do much to distinguish themselves - I'll Be There For You sounds almost identical to MMMBop. These groups had another thing in common - they were both quite a bit better than their detractors ever wanted to admit. These guys were excellent live performers before they even entered high school. All four of them have great voices, and although their current projects have slipped under the radar, they are all still pursuing music. This video is undoubtedly a cheese explosion; it's funny to watch though, and there's something kind of infectious about just how happy and enthusiastic they all seem. 

THE GANDHARVAS

Origin: London, ON
Category: LOST IN THE WILDERNESS
Cherchez La Moose: Not only is this band underrated, but this song is very, very underrated. It's interesting, unique, melodic, and a strange but awesome choice for a single. I always remembered this video for the creepy, Nine Inch Nails-esque image of the guy in the chair, but it took a while longer for me to really connect to the music. I'm happy to say that it has aged well. The Gandharvas went their separate ways years ago, but the bass player is now singing in the excellent Raised By Swans. 

MASSARI

Origin: Ottawa, ON
Category: VOLCANO TOSS
Cherchez La Moose: Massari's Real Love has over 27 million views on YouTube. How did this happen?! His awful videos were in pretty heavy rotation on MuchMusic, but I guess I never realized how many people were into them. This song is beyond generic, and the video is painful to sit through. Massari literally looks like he's made of plastic. The felt pen facial hair and unmasculine Dior shades don't add to his sex appeal. 1:48-1:51 is too ridiculous to be hot. All that we're left with is a sermon on "real love," and when it comes from a guy this narcissistic, I just don't buy it. 

SHALLOW NORTH DAKOTA

Origin: Hamilton, ON
Category: LOST IN THE WILDERNESS
Cherchez La Moose: BEST.SINGLE.EVER.

LEN - 'Steal My Sunshine'

Origin: Toronto, ON
Category: STUFFED CRUST PIZZA
Cherchez La Moose: Steal My Sunshine was Len's one good song; it was pretty much an anthem for Summer 1999. I like the fact that this band has a brother-sister coalition, and that neither of them look like musicians. Too many artists get caught up in fashion, as if they're afraid that they won't be seen as credible if they aren't sporting the right look. Unfortunately for Len, they are extremely cheesy, and this song basically screamed One Hit Wonder the moment it blew up.

SKY - 'Love Song'

Origin: Montreal, QC
Category: NORTHERN ELIXIR
Cherchez La Moose: Sky hit it big in the late 90's with their album Piece of Paradise, and Love Song was their crowning achievement. The duo split up soon after, and although a new singer joined the group and another album was released, they failed to recapture the spotlight. Love Song is interesting in that it's a great pop song that has aged pretty well, yet at the same time, there is something unmistakably 1999 about it.