A Look at the Polaris Long List: 14. Cold Specks – I Predict A Graceful Expulsion

Another one from Arts & Crafts that will definitely be making my short list as I voted for it on the long list. This is helluva debut album. The voice alone seals it. Al Spx‘s vocals are nothing short of absolutely phenomenal. Think Adele combined with Bonnie Tyler singing raw bluesy, turn-of-the-century field songs updated for the soundcloud era and you have some idea of what I’m talking about here. Some have said the songs are a tad undercooked and on a first listen, I’ll admit I was more open on the voice than I was the actual songs but play it again and again. You will be taken in and won over, trust! If this won the Polaris, I wouldn’t be mad, at all. This is the kind of musical excellence that the Polaris claims to be aiming to celebrate. I intend to do my part to make sure they keep their word.

[album stream via Exclaim!]

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 19. Feist – Metals

If you don’t think this is one of the main contenders to be shortlisted and quite possibly take the whole thing, you’re kidding yourself and/or just hating. This is a big record: great songs, great performances, immaculate production and the feel of real body of work, an album as a cohesive work of art. That all major label music should sound like this… oh wait, this is actually on a Canadian indie label, Arts & Crafts. Are you indie and unsigned artists that read my blog taking notes here??! This is one I am definitely paying attention to.

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 13. Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas

Leonard Cohen is a Canadian, nay international musical institution. He’s lived a life many would envy and is responsible for at least one song, “Hallelujah” that has become a standard covered by many, many artists and one of the all-time great songs in the pop music canon. And at 77 he’s still doing it, as this Old Ideas album attests. However, while you can feel the life and experiences dripping out of every pore of this album from his grizzled, low-key delivery to the noirish, world-weary lyrics, if I’m gonna vote for an album of stripped down musicality paired to unique vocals, I’m probably gonna go the youth route and vote for an album I’ve been really loving recently, Cold Specks‘ I Predict A Graceful Expulsion.

A Look at the Polaris Long List: 3. Rich Aucoin – We’re All Dying To Live

This album by East Coast rocker, Rich Aucoin is kind of interesting. Dude used over 500 musicians to create the record. The scope of his ambition is clear. The end results less so. The album had its moments but felt a little too all over the place to me but which might be the point. Two of the odder (or intriguing depending on your point of view) moments follow below: “Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E (All Living Instantly Vanquish Everything)” and “P:U:S:H” which borrow heavily from Justice‘s “D.A.N.C.E.” and Daft Punk‘s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” respectively. The rest of the album is actually pretty upbeat in tempo and feel but even in the 2012, post-mashup era, a Halifax-based indie rocker being so overtly influenced by French electronic club music is still kind of interesting and novel, no? Interesting enough to make it into my Top 5 though? Unlikely….

Intrigued though? Hit the jump to hear the full album stream via the good people at Exclaim! And while you’re listening to it, hit play on the video above as it’s actually a full length film designed to accompany the album. #realcreativity #somethingdifferent

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A Look at the Polaris Long List: 9. Cadence Weapon – Hope in Dirt City

I think I’ve been pretty clear on how much I dislike this album. Polaris jurors know even more so. That being said, inexplicably jurors seem to love this guy so expect him to make a strong run at becoming a short list nominee. Disagree with me?

[stream via Exclaim]