"judged solely on artistic merit"

The "long list" for the Polaris Music Prize has been released, and it includes the likes of Leonard Cohen and Joel Plaskett. Here's the article on CBC, and if you've got a little more time to explore, here's the list of 40 artists on the Polaris website, which includes links to each long-listed nominee's website and myspace page. That's a lot of listening!

This prize has been getting more and more attention over the years, and it's a great way to showcase new and established Canadian artists. Albums are "judged solely on artistic merit" and it's quite a diverse group too... check out one of the eligibility rules:

All forms of contemporary music (including, but not limited to, pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, experimental, jazz, classical, instrumental, country and blues, or any combination of the above, and including genres not mentioned or invented at the time these rules where written) are eligible for the Polaris Music Prize.

I like the part about "genres not invented" yet.

"judged solely on artistic merit"