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September 29, 2008

Holy Fuck, is the Polaris Prize ever politicized this year

Posted by Graham F. Scott at 11:32 AM ET | Comments (0)

Tonight the Polaris Prize, the "$20,000 prize for a full length Canadian album, judged solely on artistic merit, without regard to genre or record sales" will be awarded, and both the timing and the artist lineup are delicious (if unintended).

One of the bands whose artistic merit is being judged this evening is Holy Fuck, the Toronto electronica/prog/rock/whatever group which became a reluctant cause celebre when the Conservatives cited them in August as being the kind of cultural export that proper Canadians didn't support. The fact that Holy Fuck was nominated for a Juno Award for their debut LP, titled simply "LP", was apparently not relevant, nor was the critical praise the group receives for their improvisational live performances, or the international audiences that buy their records. Many of the other nominees are in the same boat, benefiting either from CanCon rules, federal and provincial arts funding bodies, and cultural export and travel grants, or some combination of all of the above.

The funding cuts to arts and culture that the Conservative government introduced just before the election have raised a lot of hackles, both within the arts and culture workforce and far beyond. With two weeks to go until the election, the Polaris Prize presentation tonight is going to be a politicized event no matter what. I'll be interested to see how the judges, presenters, and nominees choose to engage the issue when they get up to that microphone tonight.

Click over the jump to hear Holy Fuck's song "Super Inuit".

More entries on: Ear candy

February 26, 2007

Sak vid pa kanpe

Posted by mason at 01:27 AM ET | Comments (9)

So last night, the Arcade Fire played Saturday Night Live for the first time, performing two songs from their upcoming Neon Bible album. In the above clip the band plays their first song, "Intervention," after which frontman Win Butler smashes his acoustic guitar. Speculation as to why has been met online with a predictable array of theories, but my favourite connects with the phrase written in tape on the guitar: Sak vid pa kanpe, which is apparently a Haitian expression meaning, "An empty sack cannot stand up." In other words, starving people can't do anything.

As the theory goes, the guitar smash was a political reaction to the situation in Haiti, where Canada has a role in providing stability or undermining democracy, depending on your perspective. If that was Butler's intention, let me help him out by noting the website for Canada Out of Haiti, where you can get involved or make a donation to the cause.

More entries on: Activism | Ear candy | Human rights

December 19, 2006

Best albums of 2006

Posted by mason at 02:11 AM ET | Comments (0)

The year two thousand and six was a strange one for music. No real discernable trends, little consensus on the best the year had to offer, and yet some astounding performances from artists across many genres.

A panel of This Magazine bloggers and contributors (Calvin, Krisztina, Lisa, Annette, Joyce and myself) have endeavored to make some sense of it all. I asked each person to send me their five favourite albums of the year — Canadian or other — and a few words on each. A seemingly simple task, but narrowing it down to five proved difficult for most of us. Still, I’m sure the others will agree with me when I say that I missed a lot this year, and reserve the right to scoff at my own list in six months. Last year I hadn’t heard the Sufjan Stevens disc Illinois, but when it started appearing on lists in December I had to find out what the fuss was about. I think spent the next several months listening to that album more than any other. I’m sure there are a few such records this year (I still have to go back and hear the Decemberists, Emily Haines, Beck, Thom Yorke, The Knife and so many other records for the first time).

So, enough yammering. Here are the albums this year that made our ears the happiest. Lists first, explanations after the jump — and since Krisztina sent me her picks first she’s at the top, and so on. Oh, and Lisa wanted me to mention that Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback” is the single of the year. Hands down.

Krisztina: (1) Final Fantasy – He Poos Clouds, (2) CSS – Cansei de Ser Sexy, (3) Tapes ‘n Tapes – The Loon, (4) Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye, (5) Islands – Return to the Sea.

Annette: (1) Muse – Black Holes & Revelations, (2) Ministry – Rio Grande Blood, (3) Tool – 10,000 Days, (4) Eagles of Death Metal – Death by Sexy, (5) Defiantly, Annette only submitted four albums, the fourth being her “honourable mention.” Whatever, it’s number four.

Calvin: (1) The Knife – Silent Shout, (2) Thom Yorke – The Eraser, (3) The Rapture – Pieces of People We Love, (4) Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye, (5) Spank Rock – Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo.

Lisa: (1) Thom Yorke – The Eraser, (2) Beck – The Information, (3) Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped, (4) Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawler, Bawlers & Bastards, (5 – tie) Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Cat Power – The Greatest, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton – Knives Don’t Have Your Back.

Mason: (1) The Blow – Paper Television, (2) Destroyer – Destroyer’s Rubies, (3) The Dears – Gang of Losers, (4) CSS – Cansei de Ser Sexy, (5) Joanna Newsom – Ys.

Joyce: (1) Scritti Politti – White Bread Black Beer, (2) Herbert – Scale, (3) Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country, (4) Beck – The Information, (5) Justin Timberlake – Futuresex/Lovesounds.

UPDATE: Our list would hardly be complete without the top 5 from the magazine’s main CD reviewer over the past year, Christine Davidson: (1) M Ward – Post War ("love it love it love it," she enthuses), (2) Cat Power – The Greatest, (3) Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass, (4) Beck – The Information, (5) The Hidden Cameras – Awoo.

Krisztina

1. Final Fantasy – He Poos Clouds
I saw him perform at UBC the night after he won the Polaris Prize. Best. Concert. Of. The. Year.

2. CSS – Cansei de Ser Sexy
Dancey, sexy, sometimes even witty. “Let’s Make Love and Listen Death From Above” was the hot single of my summer.

3. Tapes ’n Tapes – The Loon.
Like Violent Femmes, only better.

4. Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye
A great combination of emo and mellow electronica. And from my hometown even.

5. Islands – Return to the Sea
Much more consistant than the Unicorns ever were.

Annette

1. Muse – Black Holes & Revelations
Intense, powerful, melodic, thoughtful. It’s no surprise Muse is huge across the pond. Great live band, too.

2. Ministry – Rio Grande Blood
Dubya fans should steer clear of this one. Fuelled by rage against the Bush admin, this is one of the bands heaviest albums in years.

3. Tool – 10,000 Days
Definitely worth the wait. Long, dark and lyrically intricate. Impressive album artwork, too.

Honourable mention: Eagles of Death Metal – Death by Sexy
EODM continue their spoof of/homage to cheesy cock rock. This gets my vote for most fun album of the year. Plus I love Jesse Hughes’ awesome handlebar mustache.

Calvin’s “Five That Mattered”

1. The Knife – Silent Shout
Brother-Sister art-electro Swedes cut so deep, it scars.

2. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
Blip. Blap. Blues.

3. The Rapture – Pieces of People We Love
Records From Hipsters I Love

4. Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye
Pleasant Hamiltonians make electro pop fantastic.

5. Spank Rock – Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo
When hip hop gets retarded, retarded gets spanked and rocked.

Calvin’s “Honourable Mentions”

1. Trentemoller – The Last Resort
Minimal and maximal electronica as it should be.

2. TV On The Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain
Difficult never sounded so good.

3. Beck – The Information
World’s favourite Scientologist drops some serious folk-hop science.

Lisa

1. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
Thom Yorke could be reading the phone book backwards and I’d still shell out money for it, which I guess doesn’t lend much credibility to my top pick. That said, while the world waits for a new Radiohead record, Yorke’s solo album of blips and beeps is a welcome substitute.

2. Beck – The Information
When Sea Change came out I worried, “Oh no, what if he just keeps making depressing as all hell albums like this. Is this what Scientology does to people?” I punished Beck for Sea Change by not buying Guero. The Information reminds me of Odelay, with “Cellphone’s Dead” being one of his catchiest singles to date. Plus, when Beck played in Toronto he had these cute little marionette versions of himself and his band on stage. This made me wish I had a marionette version of myself that could do all the things I don’t like to do, like taxes, laundry and conference calls.

3. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped
This is their 20th album, yup, even after 20 albums they’re still so good. In a world of My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and that crap band with the guy that sings about the “lips on an angel” thank god for Sonic Youth.

4. Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawler, Bawlers & Bastards
It’s Tom Waits. If I try to say anything remotely intelligent about his music I’ll only embarrass myself.

5. A tie between Neko Case’s Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Cat Power’s The Greatest and Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton’s Knives Don’t Have Your Back. I realize grouping all the women together in the number five slot isn’t very “feminist” of me. Forgive me, picking only five albums is pretty hard, plus Mason is going to kill me if I don’t send him this soon.

Mason

1. The Blow – Paper Television
Truly delivers a blend of smart lyrical metaphors, bouncy synth/drums electropop and Khaela Maricich’s unforgettably charismatic voice. Ably filling the void left by Le Tigre.

2. Destroyer’s Rubies
Dan Bejar writes some of the most insightful and intriguing lyrics around and wraps them in a colourful tapestry of original rock songs. Depth is the strength of this album, which withstands dozens of listens thanks to its astounding variety, sometimes within the same track.

3. The Dears – Gang of Losers
Not quite an album you want to turn to if you need a pick-me-up, but the nearly-upbeat folk-rock meets with Murray Lightburn’s brooding yet passionate voice for a stunning (and occasionally inspiring) juxtaposition.

4. CSS – Cansei de Ser Sexy
If you can get over the slightly cheesy, broken-English lyrics (there’s a song about Paris Hilton I just never listen to), there’s no better music for an impromptu dance party in your living room.

5. Joanna Newsom – Ys
At first I avoided this album because it seemed like either a gimmick or something I wouldn’t be able to get into. Five tracks ranging from seven minutes to 17 minutes long. But the sweeping harp-and-orchestral-pop opus contains emotional swells, lyrical gems and more than enough memorable passages to keep me coming back. Plus, Newsom’s voice takes on a new maturity here while retaining its distinctive pitch.

Also considered: Meligrove Band, Bicycles, Henri Faberge and the Adorables, The Hidden Cameras, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beirut, k-os, Be Good Tanyas, Sean Lennon, Islands, Hot Chip, Camera Obscura.

Joyce

1. Scritti Politti – White Bread Black Beer
Twenty years later, 80s critical darling Scritti Politti (Greer Gartside) re-emerged with an album that Pitchfork Media described as best heard “just after cleaning my apartment.” I couldn’t agree more. This is sugary, perfectly crafted synth pop, the kind of music Sufjan Stevens might make if he played the keyboard. I didn’t expect to like this album but it rewards multiple listenings, especially the “Boom Boom Bap” — which really was the beat of my heart this summer.

2. Herbert – Scale
Note-perfect R&B track “Something Isn’t Right” should have been on your 2006 chillout mixtape. Just try and not sing along.

3. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country
This album reminds me of Prefab Sprout’s wonderful “Steve McQueen,” an album I couldn’t get enough of in my teens. Superb power-pop, this album boasts quite possibly the best ode to 80s music ever, the supremely uplifting “Lloyd I’m Ready to be Heartbroken.” I defy you to not nod your head and sing along, even if you didn’t wear out your copy of “Rattlesnakes” during Grade 13 exams.

4. Beck – The Information
Beck is one of those artists who exploits the fact that visuals build relationships with a listening audience, leaking home-made videos of most of the tracks before the album came out, and including a DVD and stickers (which I haven’t seen used to such good effect since The Smiths Panic EP) in the special edition CD. Take that downloaders! Stickers! Add to that an unforgettable appearance on SNL (puppets!). Beck makes Gen-X legit.

5. Justin Timberlake, Futuresex/Lovesounds
What can I say about the king of pop? Most imitated sample of 2006, Timbaland’s “yeaaahhh!”

More entries on: Ear candy

November 27, 2006

Black crows inspire Vancouver

Posted by mason at 01:50 PM ET | Comments (0)

If you’ve spent much time in Vancouver, especially East Vancouver, you’ve probably been captivated by the migration of crows from downtown to parts east that occurs around dusk each day. From the window of my old, top-floor apartment on East 10th, it was a comforting ritual to watch.

Now, a group of musicians are ready to launch a project, the Black Crow Project, which draws inspiration from that migration as an image of togetherness and a symbol of pulling together for a common goal. In this case, that goal is raising money for the Portland Hotel Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services and assistance for those struggling with substance misuse issues, mainly in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.

If you’re in the region and not buried in snow, the Black Crow Project is hosting a performance and silent auction tonight at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Local favourites set to play include the Parlour Steps, Mark Berube and Po’ Girl (pictured), all of whom are among the artists appearing on a compilation CD inspired by those plucky crows. In addition to the music, local visual artists will be auctioning work donated to the project.

All proceeds from the event, the CD and the auction will go to the Portland Hotel Society. Sounds like a great night -- check it out!

More entries on: Activism | Ear candy | Vancouver

November 01, 2006

How long must we sing this song? 40 years of resistance music

Posted by mason at 09:52 AM ET | Comments (26)

The struggle for social justice has always had a rousing soundtrack—from solidarity-inspiring union hymns to folk songs to hardcore anthems. To mark This’s 40th anniversary, we’ve put together a list of 40 essential “songs of resistance,” starting with 1966 and going right up to the present. After the jump, see the list, check out clips of the songs and chime in with your comments!

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“Love Me, I’m a Liberal,” Phil Ochs (1966)
Sardonic and satirical, this song from Ochs’s terrific live album takes a piercing shot at the soft left.

“Respect,” Aretha Franklin (1967)

Aretha’s No. 1 hit became the defining anthem of the feminist movement, reversing the original message as written by Otis Redding.

“Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud,” James Brown (1968)

Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Brown wrote a song to instill pride and self-confidence in African-Americans.

“Revolution,” The Beatles (1968)

John Lennon draws the line in the sand in his support for revolutionary movements, espousing non-violence and deriding dictatorships. The song’s use in a 1987 Nike ad was seen as one of the most sacrilegious sins against music by the advertising industry, even 20 years after the fact. Check out the video version with Paul’s carefree backing vocals:

“Give Peace A Chance,” John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (1969)

It’s not much as far as songs go, but the fact that it was record during a bed-in for peace at Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel gives it that protest song heft. Plus it’s always been a great thing to sing at peace marches. (Unfortunately, the message still needs to be shouted.)

“Big Yellow Taxi,” Joni Mitchell (1970)

It’s been 36 years, but they’re still putting trees in tree museums, paving paradise in favour of parking lots and farming with harsh chemicals. But at least Mitchell articulated our outrage.

“War,” Edwin Starr (1970)

This stirring protest song is most remarkable for the energy conveyed in Starr’s outrageous performance, but the message sticks, too.

“What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye (1971)

Gaye turned heads with his heartfelt, compassionate plea that “War is not the answer” — a surprising protest tune from a long-time sex symbol. View the topical video below:

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” Gil Scott-Heron (1971)

Scott-Heron was one of the first to combine soul and jazz music with spoken word in a precursor to rap, and this cautionary poem over music reminds listeners to take action if change is what they seek. Video for the condensed edit of the song:

“The Harder They Come,” Jimmy Cliff (1972)

This song and film helped bring reggae — the music expressing the struggles and realities of living in Jamaica’s slums — into the public consciousness. A video, featuring clips from the film:

“Manifiesto,” Victor Jara (1974)

The story of revolutionary Chilean folk singer Victor Jara is a tragic one, ending shortly after he writes and records “Manifiesto.” Jara was rounded up in General Augusto Pinochet’s 1973 coup and taken to a boxing stadium, where he was beaten for four days and had his fingers broken before being shot to death. In “Manifiesto,” he sings: “My guitar is not for the rich, no, nothing like that. My song is of the ladder we are building to reach the stars.”

“Hurricane,” Bob Dylan (1976)

Dylan didn’t write many protest songs in the late ’60s or early ’70s, but this song telling the story of wrongfully convicted boxer Rubin Carter proves he hadn’t lost his sense of narrative — or of justice.

“God Save the Queen,” The Sex Pistols (1977)

Taking dead aim at Queen Elizabeth and the decline of the British empire, to much outcry and a BBC ban, Johnny Rotten has said the lyrics reflect loving the English and being “sick of seeing them mistreated.”

“Zombie,” Fela Kuti and Afrika 70 (1977)

The popularity of this song and album – a critique of the Nigerian military – resulted in soldiers beating Kuti and fatally injuring his mother in a raid on his artists’ commune. Listen to a 30-second clip of the song at Fela Kuti’s last.fm page.

“London Calling,” The Clash (1979)

Angst toward the direction in which Britain and the world were headed fuelled Joe Strummer’s ominous lyrics about humankind authoring its own demise, and the menacing, chaotic music fit perfectly.

“Redemption Song,” Bob Marley & the Wailers (1980)

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery,” Marley urges on the final track of the last album released before his death.

“Kill the Poor,” Dead Kennedys (1980)

Jello Biafra spits pure sarcasm on the Kennedys’ defining track about annihilating the unemployed so the rich can party.

“Sunday Bloody Sunday,” U2 (1983)

The military drumbeat and The Edge’s trademark soaring guitar set the mood for this outcry against the horrific cycle of violence in Northern Ireland. No resistance song is more stirring, especially if you ignore the whole “tax haven” thing.

“Nelson Mandela,” The Special A.K.A. (1984)

Mandela had been in prison for more than 20 years when this side project of Specials frontman Jerry Dammers released the single that helped propel the fight against Apartheid. Predictably banned by the South African government, the song became a rallying cry around the world and helped put the spotlight on Mandela and other political prisoners. Dig the dancing in the video:

“Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce Springsteen (1984)

Reagan tried to use this song in an election campaign, but it’s heart and soul is a story of a veteran broken by war and abandoned by his country.

“There is Power in a Union,” Billy Bragg (1986)

Take your pick from the Billy Bragg catalog, but this one’s a rousing version of the traditional union song. In the following clip, Bragg gets a receptive audience at the AFL-CIO building in Washington in 2002:

“Beds Are Burning,” Midnight Oil (1987)

Australian rockers address the injustices suffered by Aborigines, but their cry is applicable in North America, too, obviously.

“You Must Learn,” Boogie Down Productions (1989)

No wonder they call KRS-One “The Teacher.” Today’s lesson: Black history. The video is an alternate version of the song, but no less incendiary.

“Fuck Tha Police,” N.W.A. (1989)

Impossible to ignore as a bellwether of gangsta rap and an indicator of black frustration at the time, “Fuck Tha Police” also helped make it possible for a generation of expressive, creative rap radicals — including Dead Prez, The Living Legends and The Coup — to be heard. The video below is a live performance of the song in more recent times:

“Fight the Power,” Public Enemy (1989)

Confrontational and furious, this song became P.E.’s hallmark at a time when lower class and non-white frustrations were about to boil over. Check out the uncut version of the Spike Lee-directed video for the song, below:

“Save This House,” Spirit of the West (1989)

If Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” was a metaphoric articulation of the threats to the natural world, “Save This House” goes one step further, issuing a desperate plea to rescue the planet “before we trash this place.”

“Wake Up,” Rage Against the Machine (1992)

So many of this seminal protest rap-rock band’s songs are essential, but none work a listener up like this funk-heavy exposé on the deaths of dark-skinned revolutionaries. Hearing it again, it’s actually chilling. The sound on the following video clip is a bit rough, but it’s worth it to see a young Zach De La Rocha simply on fire:

“TV, Drug of the Nation,” Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (1992)

Michael Franti critiques our dependence on the idiot box and gives an indication of his future direction with Spearhead. The song goes especially well with the video, below:

“La Femme Fetal,” Digable Planets (1993)

If only every MC treated women with the respect Butterfly does on this mellowed-out, personal tale of the difficulties of abortion and the importance of the right to choose.

“Anti-Manifesto,” Propagandhi (1993)

In which Winnipeg’s punk troubadours let loose on those who see them as simple entertainers instead of revolutionaries with a purpose. Live performance below:

“Not A Pretty Girl,” Ani Difranco (1995)

As far as artists go, Difranco probably had a hand in politicizing more young women than any singer of her generation. In “Not A Pretty Girl,” it’s easy to see (or hear) why—few songs do the job of empowering women like this one. Listen to a 30-second clip of the song at Ani Difranco’s last.fm page.

“April 29, 1992 (Miami),” Sublime (1996)

Brad Nowell and company insist the riots in L.A. following the Rodney King verdict were more about class struggle than race issues. Note: the song’s title refers to the date and place Nowell wrote the song, not the day or place of the events in question.

“Clandestino,” Manu Chao (1998)

This could be the anthem for the “No one is illegal” movement, as Chao sings a lyric that translates roughly into “My life is forbidden/So says the authority.”

“Your Revolution,” DJ Vadim with Sarah Jones (1999)

Playing on a hip hop classic, Jones opens with the line, “Your Revolution will not happen between these thighs,” and proceeds to pointedly tear a strip off every black rapper who is hyper-aware of race issues but remains deeply misogynistic. Listen to a 30-second clip of the song at DJ Vadim’s last.fm page.

“Hot Topic,” Le Tigre (1999)

Roll call time! Le Tigre gives a quick lesson on who to pay attention to if you’re woman-positive. Listen to a 30-second clip of the song at Le Tigre’s last.fm page.

“Confessions of a Futon-Revolutionist,” The Weakerthans (1999)

A song about despair, angst and, eventually, hope for over-educated twentysomethings offers stunning lyrics, including: “Swear I way more than half believe it when I say that somewhere love and justice shine/Cynicism falls asleep/Tyranny talks to itself/Snappy slogans all come true/We forget to feed our fears.”

“Ban Marriage,” The Hidden Cameras (2003)

Toronto’s Joel Gibb gives a big middle finger to the institution of marriage in the midst of the same-sex marriage debate: “We aren’t fools to fall in love, but let coupledom die.” Live performance of the song below:

“Mosh,” Eminem (2004)

That the king of tasteless rap would write a forceful condemnation of a war that has torn apart inner-city families was a surprising indication of how pervasive anti-Bush sentiment was leading up the 2004 election. Check out the incendiary video that circulated around the internet in 2004:

“When the President Talks To God,” Bright Eyes (2005)

Blog This commenter Adrian called this song “pointed and inspiring,” and I’m not one to argue. The mock back-and-forth between God and Bush says it all. Check out how uncomfortable Jay Leno is after Bright Eyes performs this song on his show:

“Let’s Impeach the President,” Neil Young (2006)

Young broke into this modern classic in his appearance on “The Colbert Report,” but devoted “Republican” Stephen Colbert cut him off. The “flip/flop” segment interspersed with Bush sound clips is fabulous.

More entries on: Ear candy

October 27, 2006

Grunge Pays. Who Knew?

Posted by Lisa at 02:34 PM ET | Comments (3)

So Forbes just released it's annual list of the top earning dead celebrities (surely you've been craving such a list for a while now). The top spot went to Kurt Cobain. Fifty million dollars. Wow. He'll surely be on the list again next year since his sober (ahem, cough, cough) widow sold 1/4 of the Nirvana song catalogue to Primary Wave, a company that will place the band's songs in television shows and commercials. Could be a bit of a challenge for a song like "Rape Me," but I have faith that if anyone can find a way to make it happen Primary Wave can. For those worried the band will be selling out (something they were always so scared they were doing), the company's CEO is quoted as saying,

"You will never see Kurt Cobain's music in a fast-food hamburger advertisement -- that won't ever happen. We're looking at things that relate to cutting-edge technologies, products that are green and eco-friendly, products that Kurt would have liked to have his music represented by."

Right. Coming soon to an episode of The Gilmore Girls, "Smells like Teen Spirit." It's the perfect background music for those touching mother and daughter moments.

Here's the list
1. Kurt Cobain ($50M)
2. Elvis Presley ($42M)
3. Charles M. Schulz ($35M)
4. John Lennon ($24M)
5. Albert Einstein ($20M)
6. Andy Warhol ($19M)
7. Dr. Seuss ($10M)
8. Ray Charles ($10M)
9. Marilyn Monroe ($8M)
10. Johnny Cash ($8M)
11. J.R.R Tolkien ($7M)
12. George Harrison ($7M)
13. Bob Marley ($7M)

More entries on: Cultural industries | Ear candy | Signs of the Apocalypse

September 15, 2006

Polaris Prize to be awarded on Monday

Posted by mason at 12:49 PM ET | Comments (14)

A while back I wrote about the creation of the Polaris Music Prize, a new award recognizing excellence in music by naming the top Canadian album of the year. At the time I gave a suggested list of nominees, which, as it turns out, included a few of the actual finalists: Broken Social Scene’s self-titled album, Sarah Harmer’s I’m a Mountain and The New Pornographers’ Twin Cinema. The other finalists are Cadence Weapon’s Breaking Kayfabe, The Deadly Snakes’ Porcella, Final Fantasy’s He Poos Clouds, K’Naan’s The Dusty Foot Philosopher, Malajube’s Trompe L’Oeil, Metric’s Live It Out and Wolf Parade’s Apologies to the Queen Mary.

On Monday the winner will be announced to much fanfare, including the cover story in this week’s Eye Weekly, a Toronto news and entertainment paper. The albums recognized are all deserving, although I only know the Malajube, Deadly Snakes, Cadence Weapon and K’naan records by reputation or by single tracks (I have some catching up to do). And if one goal of the prize is to raise awareness of Canadian music flying under the Juno radar, certainly that’s been achieved.

My pick for the award is Twin Cinema, despite having possibly the worst album cover art of all time (above). It’s a breathtaking performance, a fun ride and a production masterpiece all in one, featuring blistering pop-rock tracks and gorgeous torch songs by some of the most talented musicians around.

What’s your pick?

More entries on: Ear candy

August 18, 2006

Kinsella hates them, so they must be good

Posted by mason at 12:28 PM ET | Comments (1)

A little light reading for your Friday... that is, unless you feel especially passionate about whether guitar solos have had their day.

More entries on: Ear candy

August 08, 2006

Indie Label Sub Pop No Eco Slacker

Posted by calvin at 06:28 PM ET | Comments (4)

The sweet irony of Sup Pop records is that the defiantly indie Seattle record label came to prominence during the era of Generation X disaffected slackerdom. Now eighteen years old and still repping some of the finest indie artists, the label has gone 100% green energy. That means that all energy consumed by the company is considered to be 100% from renewable sources (such as wind or solar) as certified by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

"I was made aware of the program by one of my co-workers. I was, quite frankly, shocked by how easy it is to support renewable energy. Green Tags are a simple way for anyone to choose wind energy, which, in turn, lowers dependence on burning fossils fuels for energy," said Jonathan Poneman, president of Sub Pop Records. "Green Tags fulfill an important commitment to both the planet and the Pacific Northwest, where Sub Pop is rooted."

Naturally, it takes an small independant business to initiate such a change. With significant entrenchment (re: investment) in fossil fuel infrastructure, Big Business must meet its quarterly shareholder profit commitments. As such, Big Business is unwilling to invest in longer term, environmentally responsible initiatives that do not provide a "tangible" value to their investors. So the question is, how to we incent Big Business to follow Sub Pop's lead? Since voting with our wallets seems to be the loudest form of consumer power, I guess we gotta go out there and buy a shitload of records.

The full press release after the jump.

Sub Pop Records Sets New Industry Standard by “Greening” Label with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation

Best Known for Representing Upcoming Artists, Label Becomes the First to Purchase Green-e Certified Green Tags

Seattle, Wash. (July 31, 2006) – Sub Pop Records, the music label that has given rise to bands ranging from Nirvana to The Shins, announced today that it has purchased enough Green-e certified Green Tags, also known as renewable energy credits, from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to equal 100 percent of the company's energy use. To date, Sub Pop records is the first Green-e certified record label company in the United States.
"I was made aware of the program by one of my co-workers. I was, quite frankly, shocked by how easy it is to support renewable energy. Green Tags are a simple way for anyone to choose wind energy, which, in turn, lowers dependence on burning fossils fuels for energy," said Jonathan Poneman, president of Sub Pop Records. "Green Tags fulfill an important commitment to both the planet and the Pacific Northwest, where Sub Pop is rooted."

Earlier this year, Sub Pop Records' recording artist Kelley Stoltz released Below the Branches as the first album to be green powered and incorporate the Green-e label on its packaging. Like Kelley Stoltz, Sub Pop Records is promoting climate recovery by supporting new renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.

"Sub Pop has been synonymous with helping talented new artists support their passion for creating music," said Patrick Nye, director of sales of Bonneville Environmental Foundation. "Now, Sub Pop Records is directing the same energy toward new, renewable sources of power."

Both Sub Pop Records and Kelley Stoltz hope to influence other artists and music fans to consider what they can do to shift our nation’s energy model to clean renewable technologies.

About Sub Pop Records

Sub Pop Records started eighteen years ago with releases from bands that were relatively unknown at the time, including Mudhoney, Nirvana and Soundgarden. The label continues to champion new artists that have quickly become part of the music lexicon including The Postal Service, The Shins, Iron and Wine, Wolf Parade, and Band of Horses. Sub Pop is based in Seattle, Washington. Visit www.SubPop.com.

About the Bonneville Environmental Foundation

The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products such a Green Tags, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy products from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for certification and trading. Created by regional environmental groups and the Bonneville Power Administration, the Foundation operates collaboratively with but independent of both. www.b-e-f.org or www.GreenTagsUSA.org.

About Green-e and the Center for Resource Solutions

Launched in 1997, the Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program is the leading independent certification and verification program that sets standards for renewable energy options. The Green-e logo serves as the national symbol for consumer protection and "seal of approval" indicating high quality, verified renewable energy. Green-e provides an easy way for consumers to find environmentally friendly energy options that fit their budget and present much less environmental impact than electricity generated primarily by fossil fuels. To learn more about certified renewable energy available in all 50 states, visit www.green-e.org, or call 888.63.GREEN.

Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions, a national nonprofit organization that works to make it easier for people and organizations to use renewable energy as a tool for mitigating climate change. CRS designs and operates national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, low-impact hydroelectric power, and other clean energy sources. To learn more about CRS, visit: www.resource-solutions.org.

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July 27, 2006

so it is (song) written

Posted by john_d at 04:47 PM ET | Comments (12)

Pico Iyer, Canada's expat book noticer, has a piece on Leonard Cohen's Book of Longing in a recent Times Literary Supplement (no link, sorry -- subscribers only. I know, I know). He has much praise for Cohen, which makes me happy. I think Lenny deserves the Nobel, easily as much as Dylan.

However, I disagree with Iyer's broader point in the piece, which seems to be that we disrespect the writing of songwriters by not thinking of them as part of Literature.

For instance, he congratulates Cohen and Dylan and the like for engaging with God and big topics along those lines. By contrast, he has this to say about writers of fiction:

"The same writers who think nothing of writing of masturbation, sanitary napkins or their midlife crises take a breath, and usually walk away, before addressing the religious or romantic ideas that Shakespeare or Donne would have taken on daily."

Who is Iyer reading? Candace Bushnell?

The problem is not so much that writers of serious fiction, the Roths and Coetzees and Atwoods etc. aren't thinking big; it's that thinking big while writing subtly and miraculously sells considerably less than The DaVinci Code, or your average Dylan record for that matter.

Iyer also quotes Bruce Springsteen from his introduction of U2 at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

"A great rock band searches for the same kind of combustible fire that fuelled the expansion of the universe after the big bang. You want the earth to shake and spit fire. You want the sky to split apart and for God to pour out."

Iyer asks "When was the last time you heard another writer introduce a colleague like that?"

Um, when was the last time there was a Writing Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

I love the Boss and all. I listen to him almost exclusively on my long drives through the United States. But judging by that one small sample above, I'm unlikely to pick up his next novel.

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July 21, 2006

Feeling listless?

Posted by mason at 12:45 AM ET | Comments (3)

Because I’m a big fan of lists, especially musical lists, I bring up this effort from The Guardian in the U.K.: “50 Albums That Changed Music.”

I’ve only read the first 10 or so, but I like what I’m reading. Serious respect for Dylan, the Velvet Underground and NWA. Anyone take umbrage with the selections on the list?

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June 29, 2006

O, Canada! Long Weekend Playlist

Posted by joyceb at 11:51 PM ET | Comments (5)

Inspired by the looming Dominion Day weekend, a 7 hour return "motor coach" ride to Calgary and Mason's earlier protest song playlist request, here is your all for singing you around (hee) Canada Day playlist request.

The Rules: 1. Can-con (obviously). 2. Sounds best with windows/top down and singing along out loud. (Even if you don't know all the words, you can't resist the catchy chorus.) Other than that, anything goes. Justification not mandatory, but who doesn't love liner notes?

Here's a couple to get us started. Trooper, "We're Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)" This one's a gimme for anyone over 30/has watched the Mercer Report or served in the armed forces/lives west of Winnipeg and frequents dingey rock and roll bars. Honestly friends, I have not actually sang along with Trooper in person thus far in 2006. The medication is working. Also, Metric, "Dead Disco" -- Replete with enough "lalalas" to make it easy enough for anyone to sing along to.

Hurry now and giver like 90, the weekend is nearly here. And don't forget to weigh in on Mason's earlier post.

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June 23, 2006

Songs of resistance

Posted by mason at 11:43 AM ET | Comments (12)

What is your favourite protest song? I’m working on a very fun project for the magazine and I’m trying to compile as many essential songs of resistance as I can, from 1966 onward. Any genre, and country, any language—I’m trying to make this pretty comprehensive. Sure to make my list already are artists such as Phil Ochs (pictured), Rage Against the Machine, Le Tigre, the Weakerthans and Bob Marley. I’d love to hear what the Blog This community puts on to get inspired or feel grounded.

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June 02, 2006

At last, an anti-Juno award

Posted by mason at 03:55 PM ET | Comments (2)

Carl Wilson at Zoilus has an entry about the Polaris Music Prize, a new Canadian music award born from the desire to recognize recordings on the basis of artistic merit instead of commercial success (fingers pointed at you, Juno Awards).

The winner of this year's Polaris, which counts albums released between June 2005 and May 2006 as eligible, gets $20,000, a pretty penny in Canadian music. Similar to the Mercury Prize in the U.K., a shortlist will be published on July 4, from which the winner will be chosen in September. A jury of more than 100 critics will make the selection.

Sounds like a long overdue idea to me, although I wonder how soon before a backlash will kick in, again similar to the Mercury. (Last year's winner was Antony & the Johnsons, a U.K.-born artist who calls America home -- hence the backlash.)

For what it's worth, my nominees would have to include:
Islands, Return to the Sea
Destroyer, Destroyer's Rubies
Parlour Steps, The Great Perhaps
Broken Social Scene, self-titled
Sarah Harmer, I'm A Mountain
The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema

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