Arcade Fire wins the 2011 Polaris Prize


Arcade Fire has won the 2011 Polaris Music Prize for The Suburbs. Given the history of underdog wins at the Polaris, it's almost (but not really) a surprise that an album that's already won at the Grammys and Junos would take home the prize tonight. Few, however, would argue that it's undeserved.

Here's what our Ryan Bolton had to say of the album when he predicted that it'd win the 2011 Polaris:

"Where to begin, really? Here's an album that rightfully picked up not only the JUNO Awards' Best Album honours, but left America dumbfounded as it also snatched up the Grammy's Best Album of the Year to boot. An album, which is the third installment from the Montrealers, that hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 list. But why should it win the Polaris Prize? Because, for all that, these aforementioned accolades are mainstream, and the Polaris Prize concentrates strictly on the "highest artistic integrity," eschewing sales or industry affiliation. But that's the thing -- the Suburbs, this walloping force, is the very definition of artistry. It's a tour de force with lyrics that capture the essence of alienation and the vapidness of modern day suburbia. This album builds, haunts, delights and stirs the listener through a winding cacophony. It highlights the growth of a band; a band that continues to trail blaze. Because, let's get to the point, it's a really fucking good album."

The jury appears to have agreed. Congrats to Arcade Fire — what a year!

Full report to come tomorrow.


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