Polaris Music Prize Preview

Tonight is the annual gala to announce the winner of the Polaris Music Prize, the award given to the best Canadian album of the previous year, "judged solely on artistic merit". The winner tonight will leave with their record amongst the likes of previous winners Patrick Watson (Close to Paradise) and Final Fantasy (He Poos Clouds), the knowledge that a bunch of music journalists really dug their shit, and one of those gigantic cheques for $20,000.

This is when I go on record to proclaim my prediction for who that may be. And by tomorrow, if London, ON's MC extraordinaire Shad takes home the hardware, I'll look like I actually know what I'm talking about.

Shad's nominated record, 2007's The Old Prince is about as strong of a hip hop record as Canada has ever seen, and perhaps stronger than any we may see for years to come. Musically, his band (and yes, he plays live with one), fuse elements of jazz, soul, hip hop, and rock while Shad's rhymes are clever, intelligent, honest and just overall enjoyable even to those who balk at 98% of the urban music genre. His lyrics are distinctly Canadian, yet his widespread potential appeal leave us thinking that, unlike basically any Canadian MC's to date, his success may not be limited to within our own borders. Given that, the Polaris panel could (and should) recognize The Old Prince as an opportunity to acknowledge and encourage quality urban music in Canada.

By comparison, co-nominees such as the Weakerthans, Stars, and arguably Kathleen Edwards are riding their nomination on the back of records that are not only not the best album of the previous year, but aren't even close to the best albums in their own discography. Had the Polaris existed when Left and Leaving dropped, John K. Samson and co. would have had a strong case for the cheddar, but such just isn't the case as Reunion Tour is widely considered their most uninspired effort to date.

For the record, if it's not Shad, then my runner-up votes go to co-Londoner Basia Bulat's folk gem Oh My Darling, and Parc Avenue by Montrealers Plants & Animals.

Patrick Watson: $20,000 Closer to Paradise

Last night, the 2007 Polaris Music Prize was awarded to Montrealer Patrick Watson, for his album Close to Paradise. For non-Canadians (or those living under a rock which isnt serviced by any decent music or culture news), the Polaris Prize, now in its second year, is awarded for the best album released each year. Unlike the Junos (which featured a Watson performance this year), which is based primarily on album sales, the Polaris Prize criteria is meant to focus more on creative integrity than commercial success.

Watson's stellar debut of dreamy orchestral pop was chosen by over 170 Canadian music journalists over a horde of strong competition. The other nominees this year included:

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

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 - Ashtray Rock

Chad Van Gaalen - Skelliconnection

Along with bragging rights and utmost recognition and respect, Watson and his band also receive a solid raise in the form of a $20,000 bump.

Close to Paradise was an underdog to say the least; the solid majority of Watson's fan base (and album sales) remains in his home province of Quebec. His celebrity status in English Canada is still non-existent, having done very little touring outside of his home province since the release of the record late last year. Even Pitchfork, who reported on the win yesterday, was completely blindsided.

Perhaps the only people not totally surprised were people who actually own the record (which are few east of Ottawa) or Grey's Anatomy fans, who caught on to Watson after a track from Close to Paradise was featured on the popular show last season.

That's not to say that the Patrick Watson was undeserving - the record, which I first heard shortly after its release (through a friend closely affiliated with the Watson camp), is reminiscent of the most wonderful of daydreams; each song painting a new, vibrant image - both lyrically, thematically, and aesthetically. And he puts on a killer live show.

Nonetheless, it'll be interesting what the Canadiana music snobs have to say about this one.

Patrick Watson joins violinist extraordinaire Final Fantasy on the list of Polaris Music Prize winners.

Patrick Watson - Giver

Patrick Watson - Luscious Life

- bbbykmbrly.