Feist's Metals is currently our Polaris featured album, and it was a top pick on juror Ben Kaplan's ballot. We asked the National Post music columnist to share his thoughts on why the album deserves to take the prize this year. Kaplan argues that the singer-songwriter's return to "complicated music" makes this album the strongest contender, and Feist's best work yet.
A great record is one that is difficult to define; one that can be a different thing with each listen. I don’t understand Feist’s Metals, but every time I put it on, I hear something different, something that relates to me. I listen to it when I’m happy or sad, when I want to feel up or down, and when I’m treading water, alone with my newborn, who’s crying and I can’t make her stop and I put on this record and dance with my baby, slowly, the room infusing with something like strength, or love, or spirit.
I may not know what Metals is, but I know how it makes me feel. That’s something you want from the year’s greatest album. I like that Feist isn’t as popular as she once was. I don’t just mean in terms of record sales, but in terms of buzz. She went from hipster pinup to overexposed, and returned with rich, complicated music, beautifully orchestrated and free.
Feist is no longer Canada’s Adele, Katy Perry or Norah Jones – people she never wanted to be – and when she began attracting advertisers and mothers, Feist took a boat ride to the arctic and wrote about a deteriorating relationship with forgiveness, depth and soaring choruses.
Metals is a soul record that grooves, a pop record that challenges, a jazz album that rocks, stitched together with lyrics that are emotional, but never quite on the nose. It’s atmospheric without being precious, and there’s plenty of nasty guitar. You don’t spend years with Bahamas in a tour bus without learning a few things.
I like the albums on the short list. Grimes is doing good work, but her album isn’t very grown up. She may well be an excellent artist, but this is a start, not a finish line – Canada’s rookie of the year. Japandroids are explosive, Canada’s best wedding band; Cadence Weapon is a national treasure, I want him booking Osheaga next year; and F--ked Up, by now, deserve their Canada Hall of Fame star. Damian Abraham should be my next MP (if Andrew Cash ever has to give up his seat).
Drake is another story. He’s building an industry that didn’t exist here before he dropped out of Degrassi High. He deserves something, just for Ovo Fest and the Weeknd, but don’t tell me his album transcends. A Canadian rapper who’s more current than Killer Mike, A$ap Rocky and Snoop Dogg? I’ll raise my chalice, but he’s bigger than his music, like his friends Bieber and Rick Ross, and his record, at times, feels beside the point. It’s just not as rich as he claims it is.
Which brings me back to Feist, who’s quieter and louder than all of the other Polaris nominees. It’s not the easiest record to digest, although "Get it Wrong, Get it Right" is as sweet a ditty as anything Blue Rodeo ever recorded, without a whiff of cheese. Metals confused some people, people who were quick to say there’s no "1, 2, 3, 4." People like me.
Metals is a grower, with hidden, secret rewards – thoughtful, groovy and emotional. There are tears and screams on this album, they’re just not bolded, highlighted and underlined. Besides, you don’t have to translate Feist’s poetry to feel the impact of Canada’s best album. It’s right there, something different, every time you put it on.
What do you think of Kaplan's take on Metals? Which shortlisted album do you think should win the prize? Let us know in the comments.
You can stream Feist's Metals at CBC Music until Wednesday, Aug. 15.
Related:
Polaris Album of the Week: Feist's Metals
Feist on CBC Music
CBC Music's coverage of Polaris 2012