Semi-Pro: Our Juno Picks For the Categories You Really Care About
Michelle da Silva
Album of the Year: Feist: The Reminder
This has truly been Feist’s year. The raspy-voiced chanteuse’s hit “1,2,3,4” might have made her a star, but it’s because of the range of emotion in her art that makes Feist truly deserving of this award. From the soulful, foot-stomping “My Moon My Man,” to cover “Sea Lion Woman,” to the more folksy “I Feel It All” and “Brandy Alexander,” The Reminder is a sensual record where each track is of equal importance.
Alternative Album of the Year: Tegan and Sara: The Con
I know what you’re going to say, “Why not Arcade Fire?” Well, as much as I love that pack of kids, I’m just not feeling Neon Bible the way Funeral smashed it out of the ballpark. Tegan and Sara have made possibly there best pop-rock-folk album ever this year. The Con is honest, brilliant songwriting.
Artist of the Year: Feist/ Pascale Picard
I’m pretty convinced that Feist is going to take this one. But if there was a runner-up, I’m going with Quebecoise singer-songwriter Pascale Picard. Picard’s simple, folky melodies give way to alternative-rock tendencies. Think of her a modern, female Dylan.
Dance Recording of the Year: Chromeo: Fancy Footwork
Chromeo will get anyone out on the dancefloor, or at the very least get them to move their hips a little. The best friends from Montreal, Dave 1 and P-Thug have upped their game on their second album, Fancy Footwork, taking their old-school soul and giving it some electronic love.
Group of the Year: Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire has released two solid albums in the past five years. They’ve taken the structure of indie-pop-rock and pushed the boundaries even further with their tom-tom drums, church organs, and group wails. ‘Nuff said.
International Album of the Year: Timbaland: Timbaland Presents Shock Value
Even though Rihanna will most likely win, since Good Girl Gone Bad has pretty much won at all other award shows this year, I think Timbaland is most deserving. Once again, it’s all about bringing something new and doing a good it right. While Rihanna might have “Umbrella” under her belt, it’s innovators like Timbaland that push artists into the spotlight.
Fan Choice Award: Nelly Furtado
Dear Lord, if Avril Lavigne wins this, it’s safe to say that the youth of Canadian music is going to hell. So, I’d like to see Furtado grab this, since she’s done such an outstanding job this year not only at changing her sound, but succeeding at it. She’s now a legitimate hitmaker with her sexy dance hits “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” and “Do It.”
New Artist of the Year: Jill Barber
With her honky-tonk piano and sultry, throwback vocals, Barber is slowly carving her name into the cannon of Canadian folk music. Her album For All Time is a mix of sultry, sad acoustic ballads and clever, foot-stomping moments. As a fresher face to the Canadian mainstream music scene, this lady is charismatic and polished.
New Group of the Year: Dragonette
Toronto’s Dragonette takes new wave-electronic dance music out of the clubs and mashes it up with an indie-pop-rock sound that is full of attitude and surprising sophistication. Their hit singles “I Get Around” and “Take It Like A Man” shows promise of a band that should continue to make Canada’s youth sit up and listen.
Pop Album of the Year: Celine Dion: Taking Chances
I’m going to have to bite my tongue while I endorse this, but Celine the Queen has, once again, made a powerful pop album full of chest thumping, finger pointing and surprised faces. Of course, she’s always got the best producers to get her there.
Rock Album of the Year: Pride Tiger: The Lucky Ones
These four Vancouver guys draw on their idols of the ‘70s to create a complex, modern rock album. The outcome is a contagious, loud, guitar-heavy sound that is refreshing and emotionally driven. Sorry, Matt Good.
Single of the Year: Feist “1,2,3,4”
This should be no contest for Feist. “1,2,3,4” is undeniably the song for this chanteuse and possibly the song of 2007. Paired with a crayon-inspired music video with a homespun feel, the single rocketed to popularity thanks to a catchy little iPod commercial. Feist should be happy New Buffalo thought that this song would be perfect for her. Because it is.
Songwriter of the Year: Rufus Wainwright
Rufus’ exceptionally prolific and powerful writing skills have always been inspiring and moving, but he may have outdone even his previous talents on his latest album Release the Stars. Songs on this album reveal even further the juxtaposition of the sadness of Wainwright’s songs and the grandeur and, at times, gleefulness of his voice. If you don’t believe me, listen to “Going To A Town,” and you’ll hear just what I’m talking about. |
