The shortlist for the Polaris prize, Canada's equivalent of the Mercury, Choice, etc, has just been announced. It's always a list that's worth checking out - they've been making fine music in Canada for the last few years.
Anyway, here's this year's shortlist: I only know Malajube, Metric and Patrick Watson - anyone have any tips on the others?
Elliott Brood, 'Mountain Meadows'
Fucked Up, 'The Chemistry of Common Life'
Great Lake Swimmers, 'Lost Channels'
Hey Rosetta!, 'Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood)'
K'naan, 'Troubadour'
Malajube, 'Labyrinthes'
Metric, 'Fantasies'
Joel Plaskett, 'Three'
Chad VanGaalen, 'Soft Airplane'
Patrick Watson, 'Wooden Arms'
Full details available on
www.polarismusicprize.ca. The winner will be announced in September.