blog post Post-Polaris long list post-mortem party

The times of the show are throwing me off today. I wish it was already 2pm!

Extended Pete today. Bigger. Longer. Uncut Pete.

Carlyg - It's 2:00 PM here!

woah drake on R3!!

@CanadaJanes - I wish I was in Texas!

This is garbage hot 103 anyone?

carlyg - quite a strange wish...

had to turn it off, ralph

ahahahahahahahah the drake will be over soon. C'mon nothing wrong with a little drizzle! 

Are you even allowed to play this garbage?

Here are my three picks from the long list to go on to the short list:

Bahamas - Barchords

Grimes - Visions

P.S I love you - Death Dreams

just promise me never again

Carlyg - OK, you're right. Austin is the exception.

But the heat doesn't keep out of Austin just because it's a fun city. And it's so damn hot already...

Great list! Most happy to see Shooting Guns and Mares of Thrace in the Top 40. Also Drake. And everyone else who much deserve this yearly recognition.

My top 3 picks: 

Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune

Rose Cousins - We Have Made a Spark

Cold Specks - I Predict a Graceful Expulsion

@carlyg

You're right, this is much worse :)

@MSteve - I KNOW!

Carlyg: I'd never heard The Weeknd before ....you may be right haha. I'm also definitely NOT a griminal. 

I'll be honest and stick to the albums I know:

Didn't make it:

- Chad Van Gaalen: The singles I've heard from Diaper Island seem to really hit the Polaris sweet spot: they disagreed

- The Darcys: Just getting into AJA, but I don't know their original album

-Library Voices: Great album except Anthem for a new Canadia

Long List Albums that are just OK: Kathleen Edwards, Kathryn Calder (I bought 'Are you my mother?' over the latest album, Japandroids (on the fence about this one)

Long List Album I love:

-The Weeknd: though some of the needless potty-mouth voice breaks are annoying. House of Balloons is still my favourite album. 

-Sound Kapital: great band, album, live show, political message.  YES!

-Dan Mangan: just know the singles, but seems like the album to beat to me. 

-John K. Samson: just know the songs on his profile, but really strong contribution. 

All and all, the list has a LOT of albums that I just plain don't know: exciting!!

agreed. Drake isn't something I listen to every day so once a year on here is fine. I'd admittedly rather see that prize go to someone who needs the money more & I don't think we have to worry about him making the long list. or being played daily on R3. 

again, not really my cup of tea but I don't have the energy to hate him. it's just not my taste. but better uses of my time that hate 

Ouch, not a lot of love for Drake.

That is actually the first song I have heard from this album, several people who's taste in music I greatly respect have told me this is actually a pretty good album. The hint of auto-tuner in that song made me dislike it instantaneously, but hey, what's wrong with R3 playing him? I am still intent on checking out the rest of the album out regardless of the poor first impression.

Disappointed Zeus didn't make it. 

@Lauren: but I just got a shiny new pitch fork and I'm really looking for an excuse to try it out...

#27 - I agree with you, Garjoh, on what a cohesive piece of work "Oh, Fortune" is. I'm remembering at release time when he & the band performed it there in VAncouver & what a great show that is. The videos are still on CBC youtube site & worth a watch.

I don't necessarily think he'll win but glad to see it recognized.

also -- we're hearing a song from all 40? hmm...what what it'll be from Rodeo Kings. I'd request "My Town Has Moved Away" with Pam Tillis which I think is the best cut on there or "Black Sheep" with SErena Ryder but it'll be the Exene Cervenka. I think it's the only one in the system here

Tom "muffin" Power!

Who is missing from this long list?

Trust's TRST is the most glaring omission for me. I'd rather see that on the long list than probably half of the nominees. Not sure if Moonface's Heartbreaking Bravery made the cut off, but it should be (have been?) nominated in its eligible year.

There are a lot of "safe" options on the long list - I'm admittedly more interested in the short list, when things get really interesting. My 3 picks: Cadence Weapon, Grimes, and Handsome Furs, but I won't complain if Drake makes it either. Just because the reaction will be hilarious.

The RURAL JUROR!!!

pj: Tom's show is great! I don't find his songs to be that repetitive.

@lauren - I like the show but he does repeat songs and favours certain artists too much

@PJ - yeah, because He picks the music for R2 mornings.

right on Tom I agree but she won't win

*sarcasm

I just accidentally closed my browser. Must have been my subconcious desire not to listen to "Change the Sheets"

This long list is STACKED with great records.   Going to be hard to get this down to 10.

Grimes, Japandroids, Cadence Weapon, and Kathleen Edwards are the forerunners for the Prize (in my opinion)

Tom, are you sure? It sounds like Grant gets to play whatever he wants.

Mr. Fussyfont: Even Grant is restricted by the 'system'. I think Craig and Lisa the show after Grant's have to play more heavy rotation music, while Grant's show is more request based and he plays a lot more old music/less played music. 

PJ: i'm with you on that one. I miss grant horribly.

@PJ, @laurenelizabeth: I feel like I can't add to the blog on grant's show. The comment traffic is so heavy that things just get lost seconds after being posted. This low-key setting is a nice break.

jaysus PJ, you don't hold back! I think Lana's come into her own more as the weeks go by, but that's just me. Also: it's nice to have a lady host for a bit!

hold back? why?

@ binsy - trying to please an older diverse audience in my mind but also people in control of R2 are too old school as well.

It seems like every other song is a french song today. Just an observation.

@lauren I agree. While I miss Grant's show, I do enjoy hearing hosts that I haven't heard much of before.

@FlannelTom - agreed. Polaris seems extremely Franocphile friendly:)

but I'm digging this Avec Pas D'Casque. never heard it before. it makes me realize how little we hear French on R3 besides CDP.  they can play this tune more & i'm ok with that:)

And it's interesting to hear the slight different in programs too (or maybe I'm making this up?) It seems that Lana's program has more what I would call 'Indie Rock' proper, whereas Grant had a bit more acoustic/banjo-y stuff (i.e. Elliot Brood). Although he played Six Dead Tigers so much that I wanted to scream.

more on this later heh heh

actually...that's a good question. There shouldn't be...d and c are both consonants...

Une casque est une "helmet."

@binsy - they probably shortened the "de casque" to make it easier to say. 

Is this the year a hip hop album takes the Polaris Prize? I think Cadence Weapon beating out Drake and/or The Weeknd would be a very interesting storyline.

CW's new album has raps like Drake and production like The Weeknd.  The latter two may have made the "emotive rap meets house beats" mainstream, but this is something CW has been working on for a while.  I think his new album will continue to be well received for many more years to come.

@87 I find R3 does play popular songs to death at times. 

I wish I knew French so I could be an a hole in two languages - LOL

@mj2k1 - I know you didn't just compare Cadence Weapon's new album to Drake and The Wknd did you? WTF? ;)

recovering from my sinus infection as well as falling down my stairs so today has a huge to do list that has polaris at the top!  despite it's high ranking i am just getting here.

I am thrilled to see Barr Brothers, Feist, Dan Mangan and Great Lake Swimmers on the list but wish the Ohbijou, Dehli to Dublin, David Myles and Steph McPerson were in there some where too.

So many others but in my mellow mood that is what comes to mind.

I'm rooting for Cadence Weapon in this whole Polaris shebang but honestly, it's rigged and so that means he is either a shoo-in (it's hip hop's turn) or he has no chance at all (he's a hip hop artist).

why would what hurt my feelings? je suis tellement confuse

You said a Cadence Weapon win would make you sad. 

See? Cannon Bros.!

@ Binsy: hahaha no it wouldn't hurt my feelings; I don't even know them! I'm just not very into their music and am a big folkie and would like someone like that to win. but that's just personal preference of course :)

SERIOUS QUESTION: Who has the better riff-tastic rock record with awesome lyrics that make you want to do an air guitar and party all night? Fucked Up's ROCK OPERA(!!!!!!!) or Japandroids short but straight to the point pop punk masterpiece. (Yes I'm calling it a masterpiece already).

@pj #99 aspiring to a whole hole today are you.  you are too funny!

I would also be A-O-K with Richard Aucoin taking the cake. He's a swell guy, and that album... I mean, it was in the works for a few years and such a crazy process and the end result is how do you say... amazeballs?

@binsy - Shad's The Old Prince was short listed in 2008.

And, speaking of past short lists, Cadence Weapon was short listed way back in 2006 for Breaking Kayfabe.

Is it just me or are there a lot of bands/musicians on this list who are not played on r3? I haven't heard a lot of these songs before or at least not often enough until today.

@flagpole music. I'll have to check out some of those vids.

Though I still maintain that B.A. Johnston would have been our best bet for a Polaris Prize...

I hope the jurors take into account the fact that Fucked Up's album is such a unique project.  A 78-minute punk rock opera?! That's never been done before ever, that I can think of, let alone be awesome.  You can cherry pick pretty much any given track on the record and you'll be head banging.

If you can figure out the story from beginning to end (something about love or a fire or death or something) then even more props to you. 

@matty 114 - yeah, it's weird how "popularity" plays a role in people's subconcious and I feel like the Polaris, while being a pretty great thing, is not impervious to being "too cool for school".

The topic about Billy Corgan peeing on Radiohead the other day and the whole musical elitism, that's the feeling I get from Polaris debate sometimes.

They should really just draw a name out of the hat from the long list candidates and throw a big party like they already do and bam! Good times.

@flannel tom

That system makes way more sense than the current one anyway. 

I'd even be ok with that draw a name out of a hat for the top 10.

Have I mentioned that I love Winnipeg? Oh, I have? Good. 

flannel tom: "Cadence Weapon it is. Well, so much for Polaris 2012. Off to the 70s."

@FT: I have a nostalgia for the seventies, but it's mostly restricted to old Saturday Night Live. I watched one recently with Devo. DEVO!

Seems to me that the jurors, for the most part, picked albums based on artistic integrity and not so much by territory this year.

I read one tweet earlier that a juror had selected FIVE albums from his province and that kind of made my blood boil.  If that's how all jurors were picking their albums, instead of a "Long List" there should just be an artist nominated for each province.

Anyway.  I was paranoid over nothing.  The Long List this year rules.

Coeur de Pirate: Polaris dark horse?  The singles I've heard are really, really soiid!

That was the "not making the shortlist" set. 

@flagpole: "Ferris Bueller and his pals were at the June 5, 1985, tilt between the Cubs and the Braves."http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=12877

I remember Josh Ostroff from last year's Polaris Hoo-ha. He is awesome. I am pretty sure I agreed with everything he said in the interview.

I wanna go to Wrigley Field. I even own a well worn in Cubs hat so I'd fit right in.

The Polaris really messes with my head! How do you rank artistic merit? Are we saying Dan Mangan's album is almost as good as Arcade Fire's was last year? It makes me confuuuuuused.

@FT #153, not only do I have a Cubs cap (my only baseball cap) but my Mum has a pink Cubbies cap as well.  We get to see the lose play live on TV tomorrow evening our time.

Are we saying Dan Mangan's album is almost as good as Arcade Fire's was last year?

I'm certainly not saying that.

Ain't possible, man. Art will always be subjective. There is just no way to judge what is 'better' or not in a completely objective manner.

Wrigely is fun & an acceptable reason for most people to be able to call into work in Chicago. Grandfolks were big Cubs fans & I like them lots but I have to pick my Tigers today.  I can have a fav NL & AL team. til they're playing each other.  Then it's all Michigan for me.

@MJ - that Bueller thing is pretty damn cool. If any of you head to Chicago for a Cubs game go in September so you can Ferris it up at the Von Steuben Day PArade 

@ NVP: nooooooo! debate is fun, healthy, and spices up conversation! I like spice :)

SPREADSHEEEEEEETS FOR LYFE

@FT #167, I got them printed out on my bed sheets

did i already mention that sound kapital should win? i did? ok. good. i STILL listen to that album all the time.

Damn I love this album, but it reminds me of another ommission I would have liked to see on the long list: Born Gold. I got the two albums at about the same time and listened to both alot, and as much as I love Sound Kapital, I honestly think Bodysongs is a better record.

@robin_m: yup, I listen to that all the time too.  The live show in San Fran was one of my top 10 shows of last year.  Should definitely get shortlisted!

@vraets: Sound Kapital >> Bodysongs, IMO.  We are in disagreement for a first time!

@Garjoh, don't get me wrong, if it was up to me, both would be on the short list, but I'd take Bodysongs by a narrow margin. There are just a few points on Sound Kapital that feel like they're rushing through things to keep the track times down or something. That being said, given the list we have, I think the only album I'd rather see win than Handsome Furs' release would be We're All Dying to Live.

Sound Kapitol is amazing and nothing really sounds quite like it.  I think it's a bit of a darkhorse to make the Short List but if it does it might actually take the whole thing.

@vraets: I've give Bodysongs another listen on your recommendation.  The mood of the 2 R3 singles is 'rushed' ;)  I'm finding a spot for Lawn Knives & Decimate Everything on a couple of mix CDs though!

Anyone else read 'Through Black Spruce'?

that description is a bit wordy isn't it?

@garjoh - drum circles are a powerful thing!

@tom, laurita, blog: Thank you A Tribe Called Red for your free album download: http://www.electricpowwow.com/

A Tribe Called Red are pretty awesome! I don't know if a beat-tape can win a Prize like this but, wow, thanks Polaris for showcasing them.

and thank A Tribe Called Red, of course.

Haha, I just went through the photos of the nominees over on the page that lists them all, some good photo captions there.

**off-topic**  Tigers win!!!

there. i'm done.

@FT #200, I'm still here, just lurking

quiet bunch today. All reflecting about Polaris I presume? Garjoh, if you're around, where can I find that YG download?

i told the boys you would.  have had lovely messages of surprise & thanks from 2 of the 3 Kings today:)

also, Pete, interesting to see it with the"t" .  we usually go for the &.  or just the A so it spells BARK

Great pics here on flick from the Polaris long list today. by Ben Didier. Sometimes the tweety is quite useful

The dubstep community is outraged at this Polaris longlist.

BARK coming in one song time

@tom: What are they feeding those folk ladies (NOT to be confused with lady folk) in Halfax that they are going to get huge? 

 so awesome - thanks, Pete!! & with the wonderful Sara Watkins!!!  I expected Exene Cervenka:)  Very cool, this.

not that I don't like Exene at all. Old school "X" fan for years

Found a teasure trove of Destroyer interviews on the tasty Polaris Blog!

The guy is suddenly giving interviews, it seems...

@zoot #221, you should ask him for an interview

This Ariane Moffatt track is great!  I should check out some more given the Polaris nod!  New music overload!!!

@garfielduk: I'd gladly due a favour for my British flower too!  Hmmm... 'flower' sounds insufficiently manly... definitely not a 'weed' though. 

I thought you asked what I'd do to get some British weed!!!  I was confused.

I love love love love Rose Cousins.

Well all, I be signin' off. Have a lovely day. <3

This is not goodbye, Kathyjean, only a 'see you again!'

quiet in here aint it

Sorry, still listening from afar...

Sounds like like Pete's show is running late! Woot! More-More-Morey!