We had ourselves a little listening party yesterday (and night, sorry for the slow start everyone), but the big fun out of Canada yesterday came via the announcement of the second annual Polaris Music Prize shortlist, the winner of which will succeed He Poos Clouds as the Canadian record of greatest artistic merit, regardless of sales or genre (or titles that refer to cumulonimbus shit formations). Your nominees:
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
The Dears – Gang Of Losers
Julie Doiron – Woke Myself Up
Feist – The Reminder
Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye
Miracle Fortress – Five Roses
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock
Chad VanGaalen – Skelliconnection
Patrick Watson – Close To Paradise
The big winner will be announced September 24th at a big getdown in Toronto. And Arcade Fire/Feist may seem like easy faves, but remember that Final Fantasy took out Broken Social Scene and the New Pornographers last year. The Polaris Prize means cash that could jump start a career, so yeah the Besnard Lakes may be the dark horse, but our pick is The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse. Loved ‘em live, rooting for ‘em here. Play panelist and rank ‘em if ya like.
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I have to go with Junior Boys, but I’m glad Chad Bro-gaalen got a nomination.
Patrick Watson for me, Close To Paradise is incredible.
No Great Lake Swimmers? Ongiara is one of my favorite albums of the year.
The Reminder is the best one there, which means it won’t win. Probably give it to the mediocre Neon Bible…
Jim Bryson’s “Where the Bungalows Roam” is the ‘best Canadian album you’ve not heard’ of 2007.
I’m partial to Joel Plaskett, but Pat Watson is a close second… see him live if you get a chance.
“For Agent 13″ has got to be one of the best songs I’ve heard so far this year. I’d vote for the Besnard Lakes as well.
the reminder the reminder the reminder!!!!! feist is amazing. just amazing….
but- now i’m going to go check out some of the other artists i havent heard of… ya know… just to be fair.
I guess I’ll be alone in rooting for Neon Bible.
I saw Plaskett Sunday, he was pretty awesome.
I’m gonna go with Besnard Lakes on this one though. Great disc.
yep, plaskett was awesome on sunday
you must have been at winnipeg folk fest as well
how bout that randy newman?
Vangaalen all the way.
The Dears, without a doubt. Gang of Losers is a great record and they are fantastic live.
Julie Doiron, for sure. Check her out, please.
While “Neon Bible” is the album to beat (rightly so), the Besnard Lakes and Miracle Fortress albums are phenomenal. My pic: Miracle Fortress’ “Five Roses”. It’s my official soundtrack to Summer ’07.
feist and julie are the only listenable albums on this list. my vote would be for feist.
I’m gonna go with the Besnard Lakes. Though I think Arcade Fire and Chad VanGaalen’s albums were pretty strong.
Oh, and whoever mentioned Jim Bryson’s album is onto something.
i thought i’d read the bernaked ladies LOL
btw if you don’t know patrick watson check him out he’s a really talented guy from montreal
hate joel plaskett.
my vote is for the arcade fire or patrick watson.
sorry leslie.
I love Joel and everything Joel so I think he deserves to win!
Hmm, where’s Zeitgeist?
the reminder better win or i will shit my pants with anger. and i will be even more angry if they give it to arcade fire, since they give everything to them just because they are.
the dears’ album sucks BIG TIME….. My vote is for Watson
julie doiron’s record is about ten times better than CVG.
I can’t believe Miracle Fortress was nominated. The album is all nice production over poor songwriting.
Totally called that.