Emily Haines with Metric at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Nov. 10 2012. Christine Redmond photo.

Polaris 2013 shortlist announced

– by Shawn Conner

Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. PST, the Polaris Music Prize announced the 10 albums that made the shortlist for 2013. Polaris head Steve Jordan welcomed hosts Kathleen Edwards and Shad, who read off the names.

There wasn’t much by way of banter, although Edwards did preface Metric‘s nomination by saying the band was “representing hotpants” (meaning singer Emily Haines‘ favourite stagewear). Edwards also asked where Shad is living these days, to which he replied “Vancouver, on Commercial Drive.” See ya at Prado Café, pal!

The Polaris 2013 shortlist:

Godspeed You Black Emperor, Don’t Bend, Ascend

Zaki Ibrahim, Every Opposite

Metric, Synthetica

Metz, s/t

Purity Ring, Shrines

Purity Ring at Electric Owl, Sept 7 2011. Robyn Hanson photo.

Colin Stetson, New History of Warfare Vol 3

Tegan & Sara, Heartthrob

Tegan and Sara at the Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, Sept 23 2012. Christopher Edmonstone photo.

A Tribe Called Red, Nation to Nation

Whitehorse, The Fate of the World Depends On This Kiss

Melissa McClelland with Whitehorse at the Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver Jan 26 2013. Christopher Edmonstone photo.

Young Galaxy, Ultramarine

The winner will be announced Sept 23 in Toronto.

And now, for some editorializing…

This juror is a little disappointed with the list – only one of my shortlisters, Young Galaxy, made the cut.

Of those who did make it, the most obviously undeserving is Metz, at least in my opinion. I’ve tried and tried to get into this album but it is to my ears a tuneless mess. Although people say they put on a great live show. Also, I felt (and still feel) there are stronger electronic-pop albums, i.e. Doldrums, than Purity Ring’s Shrines. And I still do not get Godspeed You Black Emperor. There, I said it.