Eyes On The Prize(s)

Monitoring the Polaris Prize (Canada) and the Mercury Prize (UK) is always entertaining, and unlike the Grammys, educational as well...
Shortlists for both have been announced amidst the usual weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and both are intriguing...

Breaking down Canada: the shortlist includes Tegan & Sara, Shad, The Sadies, Radio Radio, Owen Pallett, Dan Mangan, Karkwa, Caribou, Broken Social Scene, and The Besnard Lakes. The last two will undoubtedly be familiar to followers of this space, while Tegan & Sara have built up a nice following here in the states with their last few records, and The Sadies are starting to nab some very high profile opening slots (Arcade Fire) this fall. Caribou and Owen Pallett (as Final Fantasy) also have indy profiles down here with their last few works.

Juries on both are geared to industry professionals, and for some reason tend to come down left of center in their choices, compared to the inbred miasma of the Grammy process. (Which, to be fair, has lightened up a bit in the last two years, but has a way to go...) Interesting to see how it plays out: while Broken Social Scene's 'Forgiveness Rock Record' is a great and varied piece of work, my heart ultimately sides with 'The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night', which will be part of my year end conversation about best LP's, regardless of geography. It's a sprawling, densely layered record that reveals different pieces everytime I listen to it. Concept or not, an LP that hangs together that you can totally get lost in is an increasingly rare commodity.

Now, across the pond, the Mercury Prize has its by now usual collection of the unusual...Nominees this year are: Biffy Clyro, I Am Kloot, Dizzee Rascal, Paul Weller, Corinne Bailey Rae, XX, Villagers, Kit Downes Trio, Foals, Laura Marling, Wild Beasts, and Mumford & Sons.

Dizzee Rascal and Laura Marling, (from completely different directions), seem to figure in most of the learned handicapping thus far. Dizzee seeking to fill the slot of a country desperate for its own conquering hip hop multimedia figure, a la Snoop Dogg or Ice Cube. Ms. Marling gets major points for overcoming a well reviewed first album and not succumbing to the sophomore jinx.

For some reason, Mumford & Sons have an elevated profile on this side of the pond, stealthily racking up the sales for no discernable reason.

In the sentimental bracket, old hand Paul Weller has made his feistiest effort in quite some time, the nervy "Wake Up The Nation", and Corrine Bailey Rae has rebounded from grave personal issues to totally trump her also well received debut with "The Sea", an ambitious record that takes her closer to Joni Mitchell territory, (in terms of emotional depth), than all of the Joni wannabees that litter the highway...

At the end of the day, though, there seems to be no escaping The XX, who's self.titled record has evolved into a steady seller stateside, thanks to relentless touring, and a stubborn belief in their songs. Like Beach House's 'Teen Dream', it doesn't necessarily work on paper, but after living with it, there's no way to purge these songs from your head...

September is upon us, and these prizes are soon to be announced, but the bottom line is: Congratulations to all the nominees, and thank you for an interesting year of music...