Last week we predicted that the first annual Polaris Music Prize would go to Broken Social Scene for their self-titled LP, but we were wrong. On Monday night the eleven-person panel met during the awards ceremony at the Phoenix Concert Theatre to choose the inaugural winner, and agreed to bestow the honour upon Toronto’s own Owen Pallett (AKA Final Fantasy) for his second full-length He Poos Clouds. By not giving the award to the universally lauded Broken Social Scene, who picked up this year’s Best Alternative Album at the Junos, the Polaris jury signaled that its choice would be distinct from the anything remotely mainstream, setting a precedent that’s both refreshing and accessible. Bravo Owen! -J.B.
