100 greatest Canadian albums ever

It may be an impossible task to accurately quantify the greatest, but we've given it our best: CBC Music presents the 100 greatest Canadian albums. Ever.

The talent in this country is unparalleled, the scope of our music as vast and diverse as the landscape. A strong foundation of musicians and bands have worked hard and continue to work hard; they are known and proven quantities who hold their own on an international scale, making Canada one of the biggest and most exciting music hotspots in the world.

We've also asked a diverse array of musicians, writers, actors and artists to write about each album. The star-studded list of contributors comes from all over the world, reflecting the breadth and depth of appreciation for Canadian music.

Featuring writeups from Oscar Award-winning actor Russell Crowe, the Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson, Divine Brown, Sarah Slean, Don Cherry, graphic novelist Bryan Lee O'Malley, Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida, Craig Finn of the Hold Steady, Christy Turlington Burns, Arcade Fire and many more. Below, find out which Canadian albums we've deemed the 100 greatest — ever.

Editor's note: this list was originally published on July 29, 2013. Click on the playlist below to listen to a song from each of the 100 picks.