Last month I previewed the Polaris Prize HERE, and just like last year us here at Live in Limbo decided we should have our own jury to vote on the winner. The way this worked was I invited eight other great music writers to help out with this process by listening to all ten albums and ranking them. A 1st place vote was worth ten points and a 10th place vote was worth only one point. Based on the votes we came up with how it would turn out if we were on the jury to award the top prize of Best Canadian Album of the Year. Only three different albums managed to capture the top spot, which is surprising that the nine of us could agree on such things. Meanwhile six different records received a 10th place vote. Both the Braids and BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah albums were the most spread out with the votes having only one duplicate rating. Make sure you listen to our playlist found HERE, which includes out top songs from these great albums.
Many thanks to Sean Chin, Sarah Rix, Randall Vasquez, Andreas Babiolakis, Mark Milner and Mike Gallagher from the Live in Limbo team, who all participated in this fun exercise. Many special thanks from Mike Bax from Lithium Magazine and Gilles LeBlanc aka the Rockthusiast for lending their considering talents and time to help make this happen. Make sure you check out our ballots, which are included at the end of this post!
10. Jennifer Castle- Pink City
Genre: Folk, Folk-Rock
Total Points: 33
Highest Ranking: One 4th place vote
Lowest Ranking: Two 10th place votes
Background: This is Castle’s fourth record, but the first time she has been long or short listed for the prize. While it is a solid pop folk record, it didn’t quite seem to capture our voters’ attention. The nice thing about the Polaris Music Prize is every year there are a few great talents brought to more mainstream attention, Castle being this year’s for sure.
Quote: “Bouncy and enjoyable, with an interesting mid-70s LA vibe. Unlike Lycurgus’ city, her Sparta sounds like a fun place” Mark Milner
Top Song: Like a Gun and Sparta
9. BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah- Sour
Genre: Jazz, Hip-Hop
Total Points: 39
Highest Ranking: One 3rd place vote
Lowest Ranking: One 10th place vote
Background: This is the band’s first short list nomination, having previously been long listed for their last record BBNG III. They trio teamed up with legendary Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah to complete their already hip-hop infused sound. While the band is one of the great up and coming groups, one has to wonder if this isn’t their time to win preferring to honour a more complete record.
Quote: “This twangy and dangerous album comes together with Ghostface’s experienced lyricism and BBNG’s moody jazz music. The result is you on the ground in a dark alleyway with shadows devouring you. Chilling.” Andreas Babiolakis
Top Song: Six Degrees
Tied for 7. The New Pornographers- Brill Bruisers
Genre: Indie rock
Total Points: 41
Highest Ranking: One 2nd place vote
Lowest Ranking: One 10th place vote
Background: This is TNP’s at their most poppy and easily accessible in their whole career. This is the band’s second short list nomination, after popping up in 2006, the very first year of the award for Twin Cinema. They were also long listed for Challengers in 2008 and Together in 2010. Lead singer A.C. Newman’s solo record Shut Down the Streets was also longlisted in 2013. This record was fairly divisive for our jury as some really loved it and some really resented it. Not exactly a real frontrunner at this point and one wonders what it would take for TNP to win ever.
Quote: “The Pornographers continue to generate genre-spanning music in an ever-growing fashion that never fails to impress.” Mike Bax
Top Song: Champions of Red Wine
Tied for 7. Buffy Sainte-Marie- Power in the Blood
Genre: Roots, Electro, Indigenous, Folk/Rock
Total Points: 41
Highest Ranking: One 2nd place vote
Lowest Ranking: Three 10th place votes
Background: Buffy is a legend in the Canadian music scene having been around since the 1960’s having released her 22nd album last year. She has never been nominated at any point in the awards 9 prior years. She stands a real shot as an underdog this year considering it would almost be seen as a lifetime achievement award.
Quote: “Buffy clearly took notes from previous nominees A Tribe Called Red by mixing their style of electronically infused indigenous music with her traditional folk pop. Easily her most accessible and mainstream work while still being very politically charged” Dakota Arsenault
Top Song: Power in the Blood
6. Braids- Deep in the Iris
Genre: Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Post Rock
Total Points: 42
Highest Ranking: One 2nd place vote
Lowest Ranking: One 10th place vote
Background: Even though Braids may not be the most well-known group here, they actually have been to the dance before, with 2011’s Native Speaker being in the final 10. Lead singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston actually gave a speech introducing Purity Ring’s Shrines in 2013 for the award’s ceremony. While past Polaris juries have awarded bands with even less vocals (Godspeed You! Black Emporer being a fine example), the album itself might just not pack enough of a punch to win this time around.
Quote: “Great album. Wonderful vocals. Shades of Massive Attack and Bjork. Probably the artists with the most important thing to say in a song like Miniskirt.” Randall Vasquez
Top Song: Sore Eyes and Blondie
5. Viet Cong- Viet Cong
Genre: Post Rock, Punk, Industrial Rock
Total Points: 47
Highest Ranking: One 3rd place vote
Lowest Ranking: One 9th place vote
Background: This is the band’s debut record and they seem to get more attention based on their name than the music they play. Ironic when there are bands like Fucked Up and Holy Fuck touring heavily with no real issues about their name. A truly hard rocking band hasn’t won since Fucked Up and their album is a bit short but it wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world to imagine them walking away with the prize.
Quote: “A mixture of Deerhunter and Iceage; Viet Cong is danceworthy but also a leap away from the barrage of knives that fall on top of you.” Andreas Babiolakis
Top Song: Pointless Experience and Death
4. Tobias Jesso Jr.- Goon
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Total Points: 48
Highest Ranking: One 2nd place vote
Lowest Ranking: Two 9th place votes
Background: You either really, really love his John Lennon meets Randy Newman vibe or you feel he is taking the cheesiest parts of Lennon and Newman and making them front and center. He is an indie darling, one album in and he has to be considered a front runner. Pitchfork did give it an 8.5 and a Best New Music for what it’s worth.
Quote: “The Pitchfork-type buzz surrounding Tobias Jesso Jr. seems legit. With apologies for the bad pun in advance, this kid is no Goon; it’s an even more amazing record when you learn he’s actually a late bloomer when it comes to playing the piano.” Gilles LeBlanc
Top Song: Crocodile Tears
3. Drake- If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap, RnB
Total Points: 62
Highest Ranking: Three 1st place votes
Lowest Ranking: One 10th place vote
Background: Drake is not only the most conflicting rapper working today; he is also one of the most conflicting Canadians. There is nothing you can say to sway the opinion of Drake haters OR lovers. He was short listed for last year’s excellent Nothing Was the Same and 2012’s Take Care neither of which was taken very seriously by the music nerd public. He seems to have released his most appreciated album yet and even though he snubs the Polaris Prize by not only never showing up, but also by not allowing his music to be released on the award’s compilation albums, he might actually win this year. Even non hip-hop fans are coming on board to his monumental album, which I believe is one of the four horsemen.
Quote: “This is a refreshing and exciting album by Drake. Tracks like Energy really break the typical rap songs we are hearing on the radio right now.” Sean Chin
Top Song: You & The 6 and 10 Bands
2. Alvvays- Alvvays
Genre: Pop, Indie Rock, Lo Fi Rock
Total Points: 69
Highest Ranking: Two 1st place votes
Lowest Ranking: One 9th place vote
Background: This is the band’s first record and they made a huge impact right away. Their fluffy sound is easy on the ears and the more people went digging, the more they liked. The band clearly has a very bright future and their new music sounds just as exciting (the band previewed a new song at WayHome this summer). They appear to be one of the main threats for the prize, one that few people would argue with.
Quote: “Smooth, droning vocals over shimmering music makes Alvvays a winning concoction of addictive songs. A great album.” Mike Bax
Top Song: Archie, Marry Me and Adult Diversion
1. Caribou- Our Love
Genre: Electronic, Indie Pop/Rock
Total Points: 73
Highest Ranking: Four 1st place votes
Lowest Ranking: Two 7th place votes
Background: The only previous winner in this year’s crop of 10 with Caribou winning back in 2008 for Andorra. Caribou has also been short listed in 2010 for his last record Swim and being long listed in 2013 for a project under the name Daphni and his record JIAOLONG. Caribou seems like the best bet to be the first ever two time winner as Our Love might be his best work yet, which is saying something about his already prolific output. Our jury members loved his album so much that he garnered the most first place votes with the 7th place votes being the best of the lowest rankings given to any artist. Don’t be shocked if Dan Snaith wins this and keeps being nominated in the future, he’s that great.
Quote: “When I think back to 2014 in Canadian music, I’m going to think back to this album. Worth all the attention it got both at home and abroad and worth listening to on repeat.” Sarah Rix
Top Song: Can’t Do Without You and Silver
