CBC Radio 3 Blog - Polaris Music Prize Shortlist 2008 Special, Podcast #164

Polaris Music Prize Shortlist 2008 Special, Podcast #164

Posted by Grant Lawrence on Jul 08, 2008

Well, it's been an absolute whirlwind day here in Toronto. It started off at 8:00am at the Drake Hotel, loading in sound equipment, setting up the podium, checking the microphones, and double checking the shortlist. Yup, ten Canadian bands, ten Canadian albums!

At 11:00am we went live to the world on Sirius channel 86 and on the web to let everyone know what has become one of the most anticipated music announcements of the year: the Polaris Music Prize Top Ten Shortlist. The ten albums that the Canadian music critics have chosen as the very best, based solely on artistic merit.

I had the honour of making the announcement in front of a packed media throng, and now I have the honour of hosting the podcast that showcases a track from each of these worthy albums, from artists like Two Hours Traffic, Black Mountain, Shad, Kathleen Edwards and... six others!

As is tradition, we'll also play some artists that we feel very strongly should have made that top ten list and were somehow squeezed out, and offer you a chance to win all ten nominated albums.

Now I will find a patio... no... a KEG... with my name on it...

Next stop: the Winnipeg Folk Festival!

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Comments

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01

Go Basia!

Posted on Jul 08, 2008 by tb3

There's obviously some other bands that could be there, in the short list, but one thing Polaris is doing is getting people talking, and passionately about our music.

It's kinda like the Grant Lawrence of Canadian Music Awards. ;)

Well played, Polaris… well played.
02

THT

Posted on Jul 08, 2008 by TheRadioHead

I gotta say, I don't think they belong on this list.

I know, they are a favourite and well loved pop band. But that does not meet the Polaris criteria: creativity and diversity, highest artistic integrity. It's not "the this is a great album prize".

No Advances and Sure Can Start have virtually identical introductions and melodies. I find many of their songs very repetitive.

Nice pop songs, fun for the summer, not for the best of the year.

Oh well, good thing I don't get a vote.
03

Re: Polaris Music Prize Shortlist 2008 Special, Podcast #164

Posted on Jul 08, 2008 by suckamc

TheRadioHead, I would agree that perhaps it's a bit unfair to have THT on the list while Wintersleep misses out, but I think it's a deserving album.

Poor Wintersleep eh? Pretty soon it's going to be a running gag, they'll be putting out epic albums, and getting no recognition...

Martin
04

The Odds...

Posted on Jul 08, 2008 by phogtom

I'm just sayin'...
Two years in a row, the winner has played Phog Lounge, which trims the field for likelihood of winning to three of the ten:

Holy Fuck
Two Hours Traffic
Basia Bulat

I'm pullin' for ya!!!
Tom
05

RE: THT

Posted on Jul 20, 2008 by Catsy

The lack of acknowledgement of so many amazing albums and artists in general forced me to lose all faith in the music industry. I can’t even listen to the radio anymore without becoming enraged, let alone sanction any kind of “music awards”. However, Polaris has given me a glimmer of hope on the horizon by considering all of these deserving artists. I appreciate the way that the Polaris Music Prize lists are determined and trust in the merit of each and every choice.
Little Jabs by Two Hours Traffic is one of the most CREATIVE and DIVERSE recordings (and well produced, Joel) that Canada has heard in a long time. When I listen to it I know that I have to commit to the whole time of the record because I just can’t turn it off! Perhaps you should listen to it again Mr. RadioHead, from a different angle, because it gets better and better each time. It blows my mind that these kids that aren’t even old enough to rent cars can dish out music like old pros that can certainly stand up to the best of them. The fact that Two Hours Traffic’s ARTISTIC INTEGRITY (with their fist full length cd!) can compare to that of these seasoned artists is affirmation in itself that these guys belong on this list. Little Jabs definitely has a fighting chance among these other, also brilliant albums. Good thing for you I don’t get a vote because you know who it would be for.