What makes Snow in June by The Northern Pikes notable?

Snow in June achieved critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. Its lead single, She Ain’t Pretty, became a defining track for the band and remains popular on Canadian radio stations. Released in 1990, Snow in June is The Northern Pikes' second studio album, following their debut, Big Blue Sky. At this point in their career, they were building on the momentum of their earlier success, showcasing a more refined sound while continuing to explore themes of love and longing.

How many songs are on Snow in June?

Snow in June has 13 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Snow in June

The Northern Pikes · 1990

56 min · 13 tracks · rock music

A melodic blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics, capturing the essence of early '90s Canadian rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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She Ain’t Pretty — This track stands out with its catchy chorus and playful lyrics that cleverly comment on beauty standards, making it an anthem of sorts for self-acceptance.
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Isn’t It Lovely — The song features lush harmonies and a reflective quality that showcases the band's ability to blend upbeat instrumentation with deeper emotional themes.
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Snow in June — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's overarching theme of juxtaposing beauty with melancholy, highlighted by its haunting melodies and poignant lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with jangly guitars, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic quality of the music.
The lead single, 'She Ain't Pretty,' is positioned as the fourth track, serving as a pivotal moment that energizes the album's flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Dream Away 4:41
2 Love These Hands 4:11
3 Kiss Me You Fool 4:24
4 She Ain’t Pretty 2:43
5 Tomorrow Never Comes 4:52
6 Shadow of Doubt 5:03
7 Shotgun Morning 3:55
8 Isn’t It Lovely 6:18
9 Unimportant 2:41
10 Am I in Your Way 3:46
11 Girl With a Problem 3:59
12 Green Fields 4:07
13 Snow in June 5:57

What to play next

Listen next

Neptune

1992

Go back to

Secrets of the Alibi

1988

Full The Northern Pikes discography Artists like The Northern Pikes

rock music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata