Posted on September 21, 2010 by savefrancesbean
So Karkwa officially won the 5th Polaris Music prize for their album Les Chemins de Verre. For those who aren’t too familiar with the prize, I would summarize it by saying that it’s a highly prestigious award given each year to honor the best canadian album, regardless of genre, sales or popularity, which is chosen by a team of eminent journalists, bloggers, music columnists, VJ’s, etc.
The shortlist was quite remarkable, with nominees such as Broken Social Scene, the Besnard Lakes and Caribou. Some might say that Karkwa won because it was a french album, and that the jury wanted to represent Quebec for the first time since the prize’s creation in 2005. However, no one would dare to say that after listening to Les Chemins de Verre.
With 2007′s Le Volume du Vent, Karkwa impressed the canadian alternative-rock scene with their ethereal, charming sound. The use of percussion and strings added a whole new dimension (think Radiohead’s OK Computer) to their music, which was previously heavier and hard-hitting. It is interesting to see how Karkwa progressed towards a band that plays Karkwa instead of imitating famous anglophone bands, in their own way, of course.
I am somehow surprised to see that this album won the prize when Le Volume du Vent was by far more exciting and mesmerizing. I am nonetheless delighted and I appreciate the consideration the jury members have had for so many brilliant artists. Karwa frontman Louis-Jean Cormier said that “There’s a divide between the francophone Québécois scene and the rest of the country. Both sides have to learn from the other. There’s work to be done. What’s nice about Polaris is it erases barriers.”, and I think that truer words could never be spoken.
But let’s focus on the album. What might differ on Le Volume du Vent from their previous releases is the highly political nature of their songs. And the lyrics, as opposed to the older songs, are drawn to a more international and current level (see “Les Enfants de Beyrouth”). The atmospherics created by synths and vocal harmonies are much more dreamy and soaring than everything the band has released up to now.
Also, the band seems to have mastered the art of soft-loud dynamics, which of course aren’t as radical a let’s say, Mogwai, but are still used effectively in songs like “Moi-Léger” or “Marie Tu Pleures”. While influences from Radiohead, Coldplay and Sigur Ros can’t be denied, Karkwa have finally become a fully original band with an incredible potential, just like their Montreal compatriots Malajube.
Now I don’t really know how they sound when you don’t know French, but I would suggest you still give Karkwa a listen because music of this calibre can easily get past the language barrier and make you feel the strongest emotions.
Favorite tracks: “Moi-Léger”, “L’Acouphène”, “Le Pyromane”
09/21/10 >>