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: 27. PS I Love You – Meet Me at the Muster Station

When I first played this I wrote, “got some energy to it, reminds me of Passion Pit and MGMT.” Still stand by that, especially as compared to a lot of downtempo, ethereal fare that seemed to populate the Long List, but I’m 50-50 on the band references now. There’s definitely shades of those two band’s sound in the PS I love You sound but I think they stand on their own two legs with their own distinct sound. Or do they?

MP3 stream (no download): PS I Love You-Facelove by Canadian Blast

MP3 stream (no download): PS I Love You – 2012 by StreetlightX

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 26. Doug Paisley – Constant Companion

I’ve seen this one described as ‘alt country.’ Seemed a little too heavy on the country and a little short on the alt. side of the equation to my ears, frankly. As you are probably deducing, I wasn’t digging this one too tough.

Download: Doug Paisley I Stand Alone [MP3]

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 25. One Hundred Dollars – Songs of Man

I didn’t write any notes on this one but playing it again now, it wasn’t bad but not strictly really my thing. You might dig this if you like hippie-ish folkie rock from the 70’s. I’m sure that’s a lousy description so just play the tracks (YouTube links only) I’ve attached and decide for yourself.

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 24. Miracle Fortress – Was I the Wave?

This synthpop album was definitely one of the albums I gave a repeat listen to and on the tight time schedule I was on to listen to everything, that was saying something. I liked that this album sounded like ti could have been released during the gold era of new wave and synthpop but it still sounded 2011 fresh. That seems to be a tough needle to thread for many of these synth, electro, new wave, no wave-inspired new school acts but Miracle Fortress managed it adroitly.

Download Miracle Fortress Raw Spectacle [MP3]

Download Miracle Fortress Miscalculations [MP3]

HIt the jump for a couple of bonus remixes by Diamond Rings and Pantha du Prince:

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