Close To Paradise took home top honors at the ceremony this evening, awarding the best Canadian album of the last twelve months. View all Polaris nominees here. Enjoy Patrick’s clip for ‘The Great Escape’ below. Learn more about Patrick via this link to his MySpace.

MP3: Patrick Watson – Giver

For those out of the loop, The Polaris Prize is awarded to the best album released by a Canadian musician over the last twelve months, judged solely on artistic merit. Last year’s big winner was Final Fantasy’s He Poos Clouds, here are this year’s nominees. Top honors will be chosen on September 24th. The Polaris winning artist will receive a $20k check alongside an enormous amount of respect.

Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
The Besnard Lakes – The Dark Horse
The Dears – Gang Of Losers
Julie Doiron – Woke Myself Up
Feist – The Reminder
Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye
Miracle Fortress – Five Roses
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock
Chan VanGaalen – Skelliconnection
Patrick Watson – Close To Paradise

Is anybody out placing bets against heavy favorites, Arcade Fire or Feist?

MP3: Feist – My Moon My Man

Yay!

He Poos Clouds gets the gold.

The rest of the nominees and all the pertinent info here!

Good choice, people!

MP3: ‘I’m Afraid Of Japan’