A Look at the Polaris Long List: 36. Timber Timbre – Creep On Creepin’ On

Download Timber Timbre Black Water [MP3]

Timber Timbre‘s Creep On Creepin’ On was definitely one of the better albums on the Polaris Long List. If the primary yardstick by which these album are measured for awarding the prize is their level creativity and originality, these guys should really be considered shoe-ins to be shortlisted tomorrow because they exhibit both in spades. By way of example, I can’t even give you the standard crit fallback prose of, “They sound like x or x mixed with y…” ‘cos to my ears they sounded kind of fresh and my best attempt at trying to do that just sounds crazy: a gang of syrup drinkers and smack-heads listen to Dr. Dre‘s 2001 album, get inspired and decide to make some of their own music. Yeah, exactly!

From track to track I couldn’t even guess what I was going to hear first time around when I played this and to my way of thinking, that’s a pretty good thing! Hit play on the track ‘Black Water’ then hit the jump for the title track and another track to see what I’m getting at. If you think I’m buggin’ though, feel free to just so say in the comments.

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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: 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: 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.