The country that gave us hockey, maple syrup and Keanu Reeves is gearing up to decorate its best band with $20,000. Among the nominees for the Polaris Music Prize are Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade and the New Pornographers. Canada’s new award is much like the UK’s Mercury Prize and will be given to the Canadian band with the best full-length released in the past year. A panel of 120 journalists and music industry types will decide the recipient of the Polaris Prize, the first award of its kind in Canada, based on the album's "artistic merit, without regard to genre or record sales." In an effort to keep the winner a secret, a panel of 11 judges will make the final decision September 18, the day of the invite-only awards ceremony. The $20,000 is being provided by Rogers Wireless and Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet, the Canadian version of Verizon. And The Nominees Are: Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe The Deadly Snakes - Porcella Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds Sarah Harmer - I'm A Mountain K'naan - The Dusty Foot Philosopher Malajube - Trompe L'Oeil Metric - Live It Out The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary www.polarismusicprize.ca
