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Leonard Cohen And Metric Reach For Polaris

CORRECTION Leonard Cohen ConcertThe Polaris Music Prize, which gives $20,000 a Canadian-bred album released between Junes that’s realized by a panel of homegrown music experts as the year’s “best,” has released its long list today, and among those artists up for the honor are Leonard Cohen, Metric, Fucked Up, and k-Os. The long list is made up of 40 albums, so there are many other honored artists who haven’t crossed my personal transom quite yet; to help as far as context goes, Globe And Mail critic Carl Wilson and Jim Di Gioia at Quick Before It Melts both blogged about their nominees shortly after they sent in their ballots. All of their picks didn’t make it through, but their writeups did pique my curiosity (particularly Wilson on the Martha Wainwright album). Full list after the jump.


Arkells, Jackson Square
Jill Barber, Chances
Beast
Bell Orchestre, As Seen Through Windows
Bison B.C., Quiet Earth
Bruce Peninsula, A Mountain Is A Mouth
Cœur De Pirate
Leonard Cohen, Live In London
D-Sisive, Let The Children Die
Elephant Stone, The Seven Seas
Elliott Brood, Mountain Meadows
Fucked Up, The Chemistry Of Common Life
Great Lake Swimmers, Lost Channels
Handsome Furs, Face Control
Tim Hecker, An Imaginary Country
Hey Rosetta!, Into Your Lungs
Japandroids, Post-Nothing
Junior Boys, Begone Dull Care
K-OS, YES!
K’NAAN, Troubadour
La patère rose
Land Of Talk, Some Are Lakes
Lhasa
Malajube, Labyrinthes
Metric, Fantasies
One Hundred Dollars, Forest Of Tears
Pink Mountaintops, Outside Love
Joel Plaskett, Three
Snailhouse, Lies On The Prize
Charles Spearin, The Happiness Project
Rae Spoon, superioryouareinferior
The Stills, Oceans Will Rise
Think About Life, Family
Timber Timbre
Chad VanGaalen, Soft Airplane
Martha Wainwright, I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too
Patrick Watson, Wooden Arms
Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer
Women
Woodpigeon, Treasury Library Canada C/W Houndstooth Europa

The 2009 Long List [Polaris Music Prize; HT Quick Before It Melts]

 
By Maura at 3:15 PM on Mon Jun 15 2009
Posted to: ,
  • cheesebubble
    @Thierry: Yes, in it's short life, Polaris has perhaps become a bit predictable. Some bands and their offshoots are just part and parcel of the proceedings now. It's funny you mention the Stills. They've been slogging it out for years yet I think they recently received a Juno for Best New Artist. "New" to commercial radio and anyone outside of independent music circles, I guess. Polaris' lists will never make everyone happy but at least they're still better than other award conglomerates out there. It will be a sad day if and when it turns into just another Juno, for instance. All the while, it's great that Polaris gets people fired up and talking about their faves.
  • Thierry
    @cheesebubble: Jenn Grant wuz robbed! :)

    I find that the list is a bit predictable though - it seems that if you are a member/related to BSS/Wolf Parade/Arcade Fire, you are now automatically going to get a nod. Also, if you are the Stills, the Canadian music industry/press loves you, and will reward you with a nomination/award at any opportunity.
  • b0jangl3s
    I'm really happy to see Great Lake Swimmers on the list, but in general I have to agree that you could make a pretty interesting list of albums from the ones that were omitted.
  • cheesebubble
    It's good to spot some lesser-known names and to see some recognition go to some folks who have been slugging it out for a while. Not sure that Leonard Cohen's live album belongs there and I've never understood the affinity for Patrick Watson. Kind of surprised not to see the Dears, AC Newman, or Jenn Grant in the lineup since many people have championed their albums. And yet, overall, I think Canadian music has seen stronger years. I don't feel there's any knock-down, drag-out winner. Will be interesting to see how the top 10 rounds out and, ultimately, who claims the prize.
  • ScrabbleChamp
    That Hey Rosetta! album is excellent. Glad to see other people think so as well!
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