A Look at the Polaris Long List: 34. Stars – The Five Ghosts

This was unquestionably one of the better albums on the Long List but if anything, it was almost too pop! Great songs, perfectly produced, the execution all around was pretty top notch but for me at least, I was looking for music that was more creatively on the edge and challenging. Artists like this making big records with commercial appeal don’t need the cosign of Polaris in my mind, or at least not as much as others who choose to take a more artistically challenging route to indulging their creative muse. Agree with me or not?

Download Stars Dead Hearts [MP3]

Download Stars The Passenger [MP3]

Hit the jump for a bonus Light Over LA remix of ‘Dead Heart.’

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A Look at the Polaris Long List: 33. Frederick Squire – March 12

Country-folk (?) artist, Frederick Squire has a fantastic voice. Deep and rich like if Tom Waits took elocution lessons, to my ears at least. Of all the country-inspired albums I had to listen to for the Polaris, this was definitely one of the better ones.

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]