By Michael Shilling
Special to MSN Music

Not so long ago, Canadian pop music was often regarded (by U.S. critics, at least) as one of the lesser lights in show business. Neil Young and Joni Mitchell notwithstanding, our Maple-leafed friends have been typecast as musically daft, with bands such as Rush and the Tragically Hip viewed as their A-game. Such a perception no longer applies: These days, American fans look to the Great White North for musical inspiration, with bands such as Feist, Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire reaping commercial success and critical acclaim. Here's a rundown of the key acts fueling this Canadian rock renaissance.

Feist: Though Leslie Feist first came to prominence as a member of Broken Social Scene, she has released her own records since 1999's "Monarch." Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, this smooth-toned chanteuse combines an idiosyncratic variety of musical styles, from rock to bossa nova to jazz, and has become one of the surprise success stories of 2007. Her album "The Reminder" blew up after one of the tracks, "1234," was used on a commercial for the iPod Nano, and for the past few months her beautiful voice has become ubiquitous in clothing stores and coffee shops.

Broken Social Scene: More collective brain trust than proper band, Broken Social Scene is a Toronto-based multi-instrumental group with a rotating cast of characters supporting core members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. The band's breakout record was 2002's "You Forgot It in People," a soaring, cacophonous and complex offering of chamber-rock chaos. The album captured the ears and hearts of every stateside hipster worth his or her wallet-chain, and later offerings such as 2005's "Broken Social Scene" and this year's "Spirit If ... " -- promoted as "Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew" -- have only solidified their trendsetting reputation.

Sloan: If the Beatles had come from Halifax, Nova Scotia, their sound would have no doubt resembled the catchy, jangly tones of Sloan. An institution in their home country since the release of "Smeared," their 1992 debut, this power-pop foursome has received a steady stream of accolades. "Twice Removed," released in 1994, was, in 1994 and 2005, voted the best Canadian album ever by the readers of the Canadian magazine Chart! Currently signed to America by Yep Roc, Sloan may very well be the best band you've never heard. Why their phenomenal success has never crossed the border is a complete mystery, but hopefully that will change.

Wolf Parade: Brought into the public eye through the patronage of Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock, Wolf Parade burst upon the indie-rock scene with 2005's "Apologies to the Queen Mary," a quirky pop gem reminiscent of the Shins, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and the cavernous percussive piano wham of mid-70s Bowie. The album instantly propelled them to "band to watch" status and netted them a nomination for the Polaris Prize, one of the highest honors bestowed in Canadian music. The anticipation for their second full-length release, due early next year, grows daily.

Ron Sexsmith: A troubadour in the tradition of Tim Buckley and Neil Young (in his quieter moments), Toronto-based Ron Sexsmith has been steadily building his audience with records such as the Steve Earle-produced "Blue Boy," from 2001, and last year's "Time Being," produced by the legendary Mitchell Froom. What's most impressive about Sexsmith's music is his stylistic range, from the earlier pop melancholy of his first few releases to the synth-centric sounds of 2002's "Cobblestone Runway," and finally to the pop tones of 2004's "Retriever." With accelerating speed, Sexsmith is getting the adulation he deserves.

The Weakerthans: Though they do not yet have a marquee name, the Winnipeg-based Weakerthans are one of the most interesting acts in all the provinces. Deploying punk undertones with more overt folk and pop influences, the band is headed up by singer and guitarist John K. Samson, who also pens the band's introspective lyrics. Their 2000 release, "Left and Leaving," is their most acclaimed, and in 2005, it ranked in the top 10 of the best Canadian albums of all time by Chart! magazine. Their latest release is this year's "Reunion Tour."

Destroyer: Vancouver-based Destroyer is the decade-long project of Dan Behar, the singer-songwriter most known for his participation in the New Pornographers. Long before the success of the latter band's "Mass Romantic" brought Behar into the spotlight, however, he had been honing his craft on Destroyer releases such as 1997's "Ideas for Songs" and 1998's "City of Daughters." The band's breakthrough, from an exposure standpoint, came with "Thief," the 2000 release that, for the first time, found Behar backed by a full band.

Arcade Fire: If one act has been responsible for bringing Canada into the American cultural eye, it is Arcade Fire, whose stateside success is utterly astounding. Based in Montreal, the band came out of nowhere with "Funeral," their 2004 debut record. Full of lush arrangements and dramatic song structures, the record is a joyous slam-dance of folk, "Born to Run"-era Bruce Springsteen and the '80s alterna-pop of Echo & the Bunnymen (among others). Their 2007 release, "Neon Bible," fully brought Arcade Fire into mainstream consciousness, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard album charts and wowing listeners with its churning combination of vocal hooks and multi-instrumental melodies.

Michael Shilling is a frequent contributor to MSN Music. He is a novelist and short story writer who teaches writing at the University of Michigan.

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