I’m not sure if Stephen Harper is involved, but then again we don’t need him to declare this September 20, 2010 as Polaris Music Day. Heck, we even have some keys to the studios here in Vancouver we can pass over to big winner tonight…as long as they give them back by tomorrow morning.
I think we’re all in agreement that this award for the best Canadian album is long overdue. The Mercury Prize has been given out since the 1990s in the UK and has made many a fine career that much bigger and brighter because of that bit of hardware, not to mention a big fat cheque. And now our Canadian artists get a chance to bask in the spotlight, if only for a few months.
This years marks the fifth Polaris, and it does make you wonder what could have been if this thing got started before 2006, like say the year 2000. Well, you don’t have to wonder anymore, because that’s what we’re doing today on Appetite for Distraction. Our panel of select jury members have put together a short list from 10 years ago for you to vote and discuss.
And what a year – truly. Instead of the world ending at the Y2K, we got a bunch of bands that would come to define the Canadian music scene. So without further ado, here’s the list you’ll be voting on today:
Thrush Hermit “Great Pacific Ocean”
Peaches “The Teaches Of Peaches”
The Dears “End Of A Hollywood Bedtime Story”
Broken Social Scene “Feel Good Lost”
Sarah Harmer “You Were Here”
New Pornographers “Mass Romantic”
Sloan “Navy Blues”
Carolyn Mark “Party Girl”
Propagandhi “Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes”
The Flashing Lights “Where The Change Is”
I’m sure none of you will need to spend much time going back to get familiar with these songs or these artists. And gosh, look at that: three female artists.
Feel free to weigh in on any political talk too, it’s all welcome in thie hypothetical Jury Room.