It may not have won over critics but it certainly was one of the biggest albums of the year. Whatever the reasons for a Nickelback win—the marketing machine? Chad Kroeger’s hair?—it’s hard to deny the impact of the Alberta-bred, Vancouver-based band. A simultaneous number one album in Canada and the US meant Nickelback was everywhere in 2005 and a solid fan base converted into enough votes to win best Canadian album. Take that, Joel Plaskett!
Runners-up: Joel Plaskett, La De Da; Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Matt Mays and el Torpedo