K’naan – This is the nominee I am least familiar with as I am not a hip-hop fan but I know He got some airplay in the states. He has the reggae thing backing his rhymes. Canada is not known for it’s Hip-Hop. Maybe they aren’t angry enough or have enough attitudes. This is the first hip-hop nominee I recall. It is well done from what I have heard but I highly doubt this will surpass the CanCon Indie superstars nominated.
Malajube – You know, I think Malajube has some pretty good odds. They make French speaking music that is fun to listen to whether you understand the language or not. They have poppy songs, very cool piano use in their arrangements. Sometimes they even add hip-hop flare. They have a decent shot at winning, but they probably won’t. Maybe-because it is in French? (I can say that, I don’t write for anyone!)
Elliott Brood – Hearing strains of this record again recently reminded me how original this band is. You may want to lump them in the Americana category but they are more then that. Yes they, Elliott Brood is a band, not a guy. I think this is a fantastic record, different than anything else that has ever been nominated. There is a dark horse shot here…
Metric – It seems like each year, there is one band nominated that is commercially more successful than the rest. (Ex – The New Pornographers, Stars, or Arcade Fire) It almost feels like it gives some mainstream attention to the rest of the more unknown, indie bands. Metric has a fine record nominated “Fantasies” that is quite varied in styles and instrumentation. Emily Haines has proven she can change up her singing style. It is a fantastic danceable record with 80’s undertones. It is also the most commercial sounding of the nominees. If the Polaris prize is political, Metric will not win. This award appears to be about rewarded the more independent band. Metric is not that band. If Arcade Fire didn’t win for Neon Bible, Metric will not win.
Patrick Watson – Patrick Watson is a band of super young guys who make music that sounds much older than they are. Patrick has an operatic-style voice (think Jeff Buckley only higher) The songs are deep lyrically but quite frankly put me to sleep. Patrick Watson will not win the Polaris prize again. Yes, what they do is unique but this new LP is not that much different than the one they won with 2 years ago.
Hey Rosetta! – There are bands that are good but even better live. I believe this is the case for NFLD’s Hey Rosetta! I was a casual fan of theirs but once I saw them live, I understood all the fuss. Tim Baker is a fantastic song writer; he commanded an audience like Dave Matthews does. The young girls love him; the guys dig the whole band thing with string instruments. I watched a college age crowd bounce with complete adoration for them. I listened to “Into your lungs” on the drive back from seeing Hey Rosetta! Live and it wasn’t quite the same. Oh I would love for them to sneak in and win, I will be rooting for them but I don’t think they have enough clout yet…
Joel Plaskett – There is absolutely no question Joel Plaskett can write a memorable, catchy song full of his self-deprecation, down-home honesty and love for his home Province of Nova Scotia. He went for a concept record once again, this time all about Three. It includes Three records, songs with three word titles and in some cases, three singers-himself with Ana Egge and Rose Cousins. The three CDS each have their own theme. It all works, it shows a different side of Plaskett and should win. But “Ashtray Rock” didn’t win and it should have. I fear Three is too long for the judges to vote for it. Plaskett is certainly the king of Canadian Indie rock but this may not be the record he will win with. I will still be cheering this sweetheart of a fella on!
Fucked Up – Believe it or not, I actually saw this band live, for a Christmas show no less! They do punk rock like all the great ones did. It is not that far from any other pure punk rock record. It was wise on the Polaris Prize nominating committee to recognize this band’s talent. They will not win however.
Great Lake Swimmers – Most everyone who follows this prize thought GLS had it in the bag for their debut record 2 years ago. Patrick Watson later even came out and said GLS should have won! I think there is a soft spot still in the judges for this folky band to win. Do not rule them out Monday night. Their most recent “Lost Channels” is a very, very quiet effort. Too quiet?
Chad Van Gaalen – If you listen to Canadian Independent radio and writers, He should have won two years ago and will win Monday night. His music is unique, I understand that but in the Indie media, he is the second coming of Neil Young. They will award him the Polaris Prize. He will mumble some bizarre thanks and the Indie CanCon world will all be happy he finally got what they all believe he deserved. If he doesn’t, my jaw drops and he becomes the Susan Lucci of the Polaris Prize.
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