MONDOmagazine

MONDO prides itself on the fact that our readers are culturally savvy, politically-minded creatures who want nothing more than assurance that our country and its people kick ass. We, too, are keen to see how and when Can-con gets its due. While Monday’s Verge Awards resulted in 25 grand each for The Weakerthans and Hey Rosetta!, the Polaris Music Award (handed out this coming Monday) comes with a bit more prestige and history (three years of it, to be exact) and, yes, a slightly smaller chunk of change. The nominees are also a bit more obscure (notice no Dallas Green is represented in the Polaris list). Your fearless Music editors spent a sleepless night reviewing each band’s chances — get in on those betting pools now!

By Allana Mayer (AM) and Jake Shenker (JS)

The Rockers

Two Hours Traffic – Little Jabs
The “indie rock” label has become this decade’s “alternative rock”: while it actually does denote a specific genre, the term is now used so broadly that it essentially means nothing. That said, there are some albums that really are indie rock, and Two Hours Traffic’s Little Jabs happens to be a good one. The songs are punchy and well-crafted, the band is energetic and tight, and the record has a great flow with lots of attention-grabbing dynamics. But, in truth, there’s nothing groundbreaking here — just a really good album that sounds like a dozen others. Enjoy Little Jabs — it’s a lot of fun; but don’t give it the prize. (JS)

Plants and Animals – Parc Avenue
Parc Avenue is the love-child of Coldplay and The Arcade Fire — not that that’s a bad thing, per se, since the name “Arcade Fire” causes critics to salivate and throw around lavish praise. But Plants and Animals have created a pretty cool record here, and the group deserves to be judged on its own merits, and not unduly praised (or ridiculed) for its similarities to other bands. Parc Avenue actually has some great songs on it: “Bye Bye Bye” builds up from an intimate piano ditty to a grand sing-along in under four minutes, while “Feedback in the Field” is instantly danceable and has some hip texturing going on. This kind of music really isn’t my thing, but that doesn’t make this a bad record. If you like indie music with lots of instruments — hell, if you like The Arcade Fire — you’ll probably love Parc Avenue. (JS)

The Laptop Heroes

Caribou – Andorra
It baffles me that a relative nobody like Patrick Watson could walk off with the award last year while Can-scene stalwarts like Caribou, Stars, and The Weakerthans are left in the dust. Actually, these groups shouldn’t have been nominated in the first place, since they’re all fully established bands whose CDs fly off the shelves at MusicWorld, HMV, and Sunrise. Still, if I were to ignore the inherently confusing politics of an award that is, repeatedly and emphatically, based on artistic merit and not record sales, I’d make Dan Snaith’s Caribou moniker a shoe-in. Why? Because it fucking rocks. (AM)

Holy Fuck – LP
I have to admit, electronic music isn’t my thing. I get bored waiting for — well, anything, really. There’s no hook, no melody, no chorus, and no changes. But with Holy Fuck, at least there’s a phat groove, and those of you who spend your nights dancing in strobe-lit rooms will love Holy Fuck’s energy and psychedelia. Album opener “Super Inuit” will definitely get you moving and “Lovely Alien” actually comes close to a slick melody. If you like Holy Fuck, do yourself one better and buy the new Ratatat record. On the other hand, this album has “indie” written all over it and, in the end, isn’t that what Polaris is all about? (JS)

The Chanteuses

Basia Bulat – Oh, My Darling
Acoustic guitars, strings, light piano, and shy, quivering-yet-powerful female vocals? You guessed it: Oh, My Darling is the quintessential folk record. Don’t get me wrong, Basia Bulat is a talented songwriter with a one-of-a-kind voice, and the songs on Oh, My Darling are beautifully arranged and have catchy hooks. But somehow all these great ingredients have created — let’s be honest, here — a boring album. It’s great background music, just not prize-worthy. (JS)

Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers
Seriously, though, do you think they would give the award to a country artist? (AM)

The Dependables

Stars – In Our Bedroom After the War
Good pop band? Sure, if that’s your thing. But to me it’s generic, and if I were wondering what “artistic merit” meant, I’d probably go for something on the innovative side, rather than anyone meekly following in the humongous snowshoe tracks BSS left in the snow. Stars has their own style, and it’s a crowd-pleaser, but it’s not in need of being encouraged financially, nor is it the most exciting sound this year’s crop has to offer. So put down your glittered placards, you screaming teenybopper fans, and go home (if this were a real awards show, which it isn’t, being invitation-only and thus completely boring). (AM)

The Weakerthans – Reunion Tour
John K. Samson’s weak, warbly voice is another high-school-depressive favourite, and has been since it first got its chance after Propagandhi. But a consistent fanbase doesn’t justify his doing the exact same thing on every single album. And, again, it’s just pop music. It’s got power chords and 4/4 time and some vague, poetic lyrics. The Weakerthans are great when you’re sixteen, but depreciate at an steady rate as time goes by; I don’t think it’s reason enough to hand over a Polaris cheque, but I wouldn’t begrudge the Junos for handing out a very early Lifetime Achievement Award. (AM)

The Oddballs

Black Mountain – In The Future
You guys know how I feel about this album — I wrote a review of it on this very site. Allow me to quote:
“I’d hate to think that my love of their self-titled was a fluke, a one-trick-pony admired for the novelty but never really taken seriously. I’d rather believe they’ve got a certain essence, that’s just being obscured by fluff and nonsense on In The Future.”
I’m actually convinced that the Polaris nomination of In The Future is a sort of belated nod to Black Mountain’s self-titled album’s success — and yes, I have become very good at ignoring all other critical reviews. Eight out of ten from NME, blah blah, but it’s been months and I still find nothing other than “Wucan” worth listening to. Still, these guys have a serious chance, if what others say is true. (AM)

Shad – The Old Prince
From what I’m told, Shad used to play solo sets opening for other acts, just him and his acoustic guitar. That might be business as usual for mopey singer/songwriters, but it’s pretty unusual for a rapper — and unusual is a great introduction for The Old Prince. This record sounds like some kind of future music that hasn’t been invented yet: electronic samples à la Timbaland mixed with old school-style verses and intelligent lyrics. Plus, Shad gets instant credibility for his music video “The Old Prince Still Lives at Home”, a parody of the Fresh Prince theme song (go watch it; if you were born in the 80s, you’ll see what I mean). A rapper with fun beats, a solid flow, and a sense of humor? Give this man the Polaris! (JS)

Allana’s Best Bet: Black Mountain
Allana’s Preference: Caribou

Jake’s Best Bet: Plants and Animals
Jake’s Preference: Shad