A Look at the Polaris Long List: 32. Sloan – The Double Cross

I didn’t hold the fact that the lead singer of this group was a d-ck to me when we crossed paths at The Horseshoe about a decade ago against the group when I hit play on their Polaris-nominated album. Just as well since these veteran Canadian rockers seem to still be firing on all cylinders releasing vital music goodness knows how many years into their career at this point. All the more amazing for the fact that the album jumps from style to style including some very 60’s throwback sounding influenced songs, which is normally kiss of death in my book. In this case though, the album still manages to feel like single body of work.

I know this is not in their mandate but I always felt like the Polaris should be primarily recognizing new and emerging talent with their award but when OG acts are still making good music, you can’t help but think that they got it right when they stated their mission is to “honour, celebrate and reward creativity and diversity in Canadian recorded music [and] recognize and market albums of the highest artistic integrity, without regard to musical genre, professional affiliation, or sales history” after all.

Download Sloan The Answer Was You [MP3]

Download Sloan Follow The Leader [MP3]

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 31. Shotgun Jimmie – Transistor Sister

This might have been the worst album I listened to on the entire Polaris Long List. I hate to spread negativity but there was a small but vocal contingent on the jury pool who were waving the flag hard for this album. So I was by no means expecting the terrible 90’s MTV crossover alt. rock throwback that assaulted my ear when I hit play on this one. It was just bad. So much so that I’ve gotta really look sideways at anyone who seriously was digging this and thought it worthy of wining any kind of creative award. I’m sorry but, in case I’m not being clear enough, I just didn’t like this one. Horrible….

MP3 Download: Shotgun Jimmie – Late Last Year by chippedhip

MP3 stream (no download): Shotgun Jimmie – Transistor Sister by stereomacko

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 30. Ron Sexsmith – Long Player Late Bloomer

Ron Sexsmith is another critical favorite here in the city (Toronto). I’m not sure why. His music is a bit sentimental-sounding, verging on cheesy. Not really the kind of stuff critics are taken to championing usually. Musically it reminded me of MOR Canadian success story Michael Buble which apparently shouldn’t be a surprise since Sexmsith has written some songs for Buble. Others critics might be charmed, I wasn’t…..

Download: Ron Sexsmith Get in Line [MP3]

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 29. Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing

I was digging this one. To my ears, dude’s voice was like it you mixed Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins with a more melodic Dylan if he could actually enunciate instead of slurring everything he sung (also kind of reminded me of Citizen Cope too). Their name fit the music as well. This one’s definitely worth your time.

Download The Rural Alberta Advantage Stamp [MP3]

Download The Rural Alberta Advantage Good Night [MP3]

Download The Rural Alberta Advantage Tornado 87 [MP3]

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 28. Daniel Romano – Sleep Beneath the Willow

If I was turned off by the fact that Doug Paisley was a little too light on the alternative quotient in his supposed ‘alt. country’, Daniel Romano was like kryptonite to my ears by comparison. Maybe this is actually great and it’s execution of a down-the-middle trad. country sound (at least it didn’t sound like Top 40 country to me) noteworthy, but it was lost on me, frankly.

MP3 Stream (no download): Daniel Romano – Hellens Restaurant by woasong