#56: Ryan McNutt, McNutt Against the Music
JULY 13 2011 • By Polaris Music Prize
Ryan McNutt
Blogger, McNutt Against the Music
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Polaris Jury Member since: 2011


Please share the Top 5 Canadian albums you put on your ballot.

Arcade Fire The Suburbs
Destroyer Kaputt
Austra Feel It Break
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers And Now We Sing
Miracle Fortress Was I The Wave?

Tell us about your top ranked choice. Why #1?

During Arcade Fire's Osheaga headlining gig last year, I was struck by how Funeral-centric the band's set was, even with a brand-new album about to be released in mere days. In response, I wrote in my concert review that “The Suburbs is a great record – one could even argue it's better than Funeral on a clinical level – but it's not special."

The past year has proven me quite wrong on this – from the record sales, the awards, the band's breakthrough into what's left of a public consciousness – but frankly I was wrong from the start. The Suburbs is not subtle or soft in its sentiments, especially compared to the rest of the long list, but its widescreen scope covers far more thematic ground than its detractors give it credit for, and its songs hit hard with themes of memory, place, and time. As the months went by, I revisited the album through its acclaim-extended publicity cycle, wondering if I'd grow bored or tired of it. But it's still here, at the top of my list.

What record that's perhaps local or under the radar did you suggest to the jury and would like to plug here to the whole world?

Only one of my five picks failed to make the long list, but the one that didn't – And Now We Sing, by London, Ontario's Olenka and the Autumn Lovers – is a real sentimental favourite. There are a lot of great folk/country albums in the field this year, but for my money none were as varied, or as powerful, as that one.

I enjoyed Halifax albums this year from Glory Glory, The Stance, and Laura Peek, but I was pleased to see that the best album from the east coast this year made the cut for the long list: Transistor Sister, from Sackville, New Brunswick's Shotgun Jimmie. And while he didn't get around to releasing his debut full-length quite yet, Halifax live mainstay Rich Aucoin's Public Publication EP gives a good hint at what to expect when he stakes his Polaris claim next year.

What was the first Canadian record you ever bought with your own money?

I didn't get into music seriously until I was about 16 or so, but my "un-serious" phase still informs some of my tastes today. For example, my willingness to make apologies for Bryan Adams – uncool as it is to do so – probably reflects that his So Far, So Good greatest hits collection was my first cassette that wasn't a Ninja Turtles soundtrack.

What Canadian artist would you like to see get his/her face on the Canadian money?

Every time I find myself in a debate over who might be considered the greatest Canadian artist (often after a few beers), the discussion splits into two camps: those who consider citizenship only – usually the "Neil Young" camp – and those arguing for a wider sense of "Canadian-ness." Normally I'm in the former group, but if we're talking currency, I'd probably end up arguing for Gordon Lightfoot, Stompin' Tom Connors, or Nardwuar The Human Serviette. Canadian heroes, all.

Imagine the tables are turned and you are the nominee: What would you do with the $30,000 prize money?

I'd probably leave it in the bank for five or six years, then use it Lorne Michaels-style to try and entice some of my favourite bands to reunite. See you at Coachella 2018: White Stripes, LCD Soundsystem, Constantines, and Wolf Parade!