The Golden Dogs — Big Eye Little Eye

Every major Canadian act seems to have a slightly narrow niche these days. Broken Social Scene are the passionate indie rockers, The New Pornographers are peppy yet oddly winsome, and Arcade Fire are doing the lush, emotive orchestral pop thing. That's why it's nice to have The Golden Dogs, who are really just fucking fun. Their sophomore record features 12 tracks that are positively bursting at the seams with energy, feeling and catchy melodies. Frontman Dave Azzolini and wife/keyboardist Jessica Grassia's infectious enthusiasm is so positively phenomenal, you can't help but smile every time their songs explode through your stereo. With all of the country's indie heavyweights taking the year off, Big Eye Little Eye is poised to stand up as the best Canadian record of 2006.

Get it from