Polaris Prize shortlist

[DevO]

From Carl Wilson's blog:

(http://www.zoilus.com/)

"Announced half an hour ago, the candidates to win $20,000 for Canadian album of the year at the gala this September are:

The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night

Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record

Caribou, Swim

Karkwa, Les Chemins De Verre

Dan Mangan, Nice, Nice, Very Nice

Owen Pallett, Heartland

Radio Radio, Belmundo Regal

The Sadies, Darker Circles

Shad, TSOL

Tegan and Sara, Sainthood

A solid list with some surprises. Not thrilling - the voting process mitigates against that - but very worthy.

Most noteworthy, aside from the omission of my #1 vote, Frog Eyes (sigh), is the presence of two francophone acts (Karkwa, Radio Radio), as well as two hip-hop records (Shad, Radio Radio). The only French-language records nominated before have been by one band, Malajube; and while there’ve been double-rap lists before, it was only if one of those albums was by K’naan. Otherwise with, I think, five Ontario acts, regional conspiracy theorists may continue their deliberations. Good that records weren’t shut out by previous-winner stigma (Owen Pallett, Caribou), long-time-veteran status (Sadies) or kinda-uncoolness (Tegan & Sara).

Personally I see only a couple of records on that list I’d be unhappy to have win. Anything could happen."

[NewRider]

GO CARIBOU!!!