54-40

Vancouver quartet 54-40 is a seminal group in Canada's alt-rock history, rising from their status as 1980s college rock heroes to national acclaim and chart success with landmark albums like 1987's Show Me and 1994's Smilin' Buddha Cabaret, which produced hit singles like "Nice to Luv You" and "Ocean Pearl." While their early mix of jangling folk-rock and post-punk earned comparisons to R.E.M., later records featured a harder, electric-driven sound that resulted in a series of consecutive platinum releases. 54-40's reputation for quality and consistency carried into the new millennium with albums like 2005's Yes to Everything, 2011's Lost in the City, and 2023's autobiographical West Coast Band. Their 16th LP, Porto, appeared in 2026.