Dang! Polarissssssss!
It has to be said that sometimes it can take me a looooong time to clue into things - like that if A +B = C, then C - B = A. Not to get too mathematical about this, but ain't a one way street - and for all of my "Canada please discover America through my eyes," I can equally say "Yo Americans - this is Canada!" with the blog. So today, I'm doing just that through just a small part of wondrous Canadiana...
So America - let me tell ya something! You are great at many things, but (by my measure) you pretty much suck at music. I know, I know you've had your hits. You've revolutionized a number of genres and even created a few more. But in the era of American Idol, you're all so pop oriented I think you've forgotten that integrity and music can work well together.
Enter Canada! And America - stop thinking Bryan Adams & Celine Dion!
The nominees for the Polaris Prize - the self described prize awarded to any LP produced in Canada for artistic merit alone (regardless of album sales) - on the long list were recently announced, and present a great beginners guide to indie Canadian music. I'm not endorsing this because I believe in the artistic merit of the prize - but the list is so extensive and so interesting it is honestly worth giving each of the bands here a listen.
Most of the musicianship here is available through the regular neighbourhood channels brought to you by the friendly internet (MySpace, LastFM, etc). Here are a few I picked out:
The Constantines - Kensington Heights
One of my favourites (even if they do suck when you meet them in person - long story) are long time stalwarts of the indie rock scene in Toronto. Although they grew out of Guelph, ON they pay tribute to Toronto and surrounding areas with this one - odes to a "New King" (of Kensington?) and "Credit River" (hometown glory!) are superb! But whateveryoudo DO NOT LISTEN to the Feist duet --- HORRID!
http://www.myspace.com/constantines
Buck65 - Situation
I hated this dude for a long time - but, times change and dark, dark rap/elecrtonica now has a place in my life :) Buck65 is not for all. He is dark and has a habit of oversampling on some of his tracks. But there are grand moments of brilliance - "Dang!" should be everyone's anthem. Awesome stuff where it lies.
http://www.myspace.com/buck65
The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain
One of my finds out of the Long List is this little band from Ottawa, ON. A folk band at heart, they put together some awesome sounds: a little African rhythm here, some Brazilian influences there tied together with some mad guitar bits - its all worthwhile. The contrast between tracks like "Crooked Legs" and "Flood Part One" couldn't be more stark - and more brilliant.
http://www.myspace.com/theacorn
Caribou - Andorra
These dudes are not my thing - but they will definitely find a following. For band with an earthy name, they seem to have their heads (and music) in the clouds. They describe themselves as Psychedelic Rock, and certainly their music hearkens back to a sixties/seventies groovethang. Its a little Doors, a little Beach Boys.
http://www.myspace.com/cariboumanitoba
Holy F**K - LP
Another GREAT PICK by the Polaris people. A great band with a bad name, these guys have put together an electronica soundscape that cannot be beat anywhere. It's symphonic, it's hip, it's drums, it's bass. Awesome. Just awesome, brilliant stuff. Take a listen to "Korock" and "Lovely Allen" and you will be saying the name of the band....
http://www.myspace.com/holyfuck
Cadence Weapon - Afterparty Babies
An original choice for sure, and speaks to the artistic merit thing. An album that is rough around the edges, but has some great strides as well. There are honestly moments where you can't imagine this is a studio album and must have been recorded in someone's basement. Hip Hop/Electronica/Rap all mixed in there is yet again some oversampling taking place here. But a track like "Hustlin' Hustler" is ace rap.
http://www.myspace.com/cadenceweaponmusic
Hayden - In Field and Town
Folk rock for a chill Saturday morning. Instrumental music, with superb lyrics. Its all worth it to chill to...at least if you're a girl...I'm thinking it might be girlie music...if you're a guy take a listen anyway its music to get you laid by....
http://www.myspace.com/hayden
Sadies - New Seasons
One of the few country-influenced acts on the list, the Sadies do it the right way (no twangy things here). They instead present fresh, lyrical ballads (with some good mixing to keep things interesting), these are songs that sharpen the senses. It's chill music again, with some great accoustic sounds
http://www.myspace.com/thesadies
And many, many more....
It has to be said that sometimes it can take me a looooong time to clue into things - like that if A +B = C, then C - B = A. Not to get too mathematical about this, but ain't a one way street - and for all of my "Canada please discover America through my eyes," I can equally say "Yo Americans - this is Canada!" with the blog. So today, I'm doing just that through just a small part of wondrous Canadiana...
So America - let me tell ya something! You are great at many things, but (by my measure) you pretty much suck at music. I know, I know you've had your hits. You've revolutionized a number of genres and even created a few more. But in the era of American Idol, you're all so pop oriented I think you've forgotten that integrity and music can work well together.
Enter Canada! And America - stop thinking Bryan Adams & Celine Dion!
The nominees for the Polaris Prize - the self described prize awarded to any LP produced in Canada for artistic merit alone (regardless of album sales) - on the long list were recently announced, and present a great beginners guide to indie Canadian music. I'm not endorsing this because I believe in the artistic merit of the prize - but the list is so extensive and so interesting it is honestly worth giving each of the bands here a listen.
Most of the musicianship here is available through the regular neighbourhood channels brought to you by the friendly internet (MySpace, LastFM, etc). Here are a few I picked out:
The Constantines - Kensington Heights
One of my favourites (even if they do suck when you meet them in person - long story) are long time stalwarts of the indie rock scene in Toronto. Although they grew out of Guelph, ON they pay tribute to Toronto and surrounding areas with this one - odes to a "New King" (of Kensington?) and "Credit River" (hometown glory!) are superb! But whateveryoudo DO NOT LISTEN to the Feist duet --- HORRID!
http://www.myspace.com/constantines
Buck65 - Situation
I hated this dude for a long time - but, times change and dark, dark rap/elecrtonica now has a place in my life :) Buck65 is not for all. He is dark and has a habit of oversampling on some of his tracks. But there are grand moments of brilliance - "Dang!" should be everyone's anthem. Awesome stuff where it lies.
http://www.myspace.com/buck65
The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain
One of my finds out of the Long List is this little band from Ottawa, ON. A folk band at heart, they put together some awesome sounds: a little African rhythm here, some Brazilian influences there tied together with some mad guitar bits - its all worthwhile. The contrast between tracks like "Crooked Legs" and "Flood Part One" couldn't be more stark - and more brilliant.
http://www.myspace.com/theacorn
Caribou - Andorra
These dudes are not my thing - but they will definitely find a following. For band with an earthy name, they seem to have their heads (and music) in the clouds. They describe themselves as Psychedelic Rock, and certainly their music hearkens back to a sixties/seventies groovethang. Its a little Doors, a little Beach Boys.
http://www.myspace.com/cariboumanitoba
Holy F**K - LP
Another GREAT PICK by the Polaris people. A great band with a bad name, these guys have put together an electronica soundscape that cannot be beat anywhere. It's symphonic, it's hip, it's drums, it's bass. Awesome. Just awesome, brilliant stuff. Take a listen to "Korock" and "Lovely Allen" and you will be saying the name of the band....
http://www.myspace.com/holyfuck
Cadence Weapon - Afterparty Babies
An original choice for sure, and speaks to the artistic merit thing. An album that is rough around the edges, but has some great strides as well. There are honestly moments where you can't imagine this is a studio album and must have been recorded in someone's basement. Hip Hop/Electronica/Rap all mixed in there is yet again some oversampling taking place here. But a track like "Hustlin' Hustler" is ace rap.
http://www.myspace.com/cadenceweaponmusic
Hayden - In Field and Town
Folk rock for a chill Saturday morning. Instrumental music, with superb lyrics. Its all worth it to chill to...at least if you're a girl...I'm thinking it might be girlie music...if you're a guy take a listen anyway its music to get you laid by....
http://www.myspace.com/hayden
Sadies - New Seasons
One of the few country-influenced acts on the list, the Sadies do it the right way (no twangy things here). They instead present fresh, lyrical ballads (with some good mixing to keep things interesting), these are songs that sharpen the senses. It's chill music again, with some great accoustic sounds
http://www.myspace.com/thesadies
And many, many more....
posted by Jen S. @ 8:26 PM
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