I'm on the train right now from Montreal to Ottawa. Shockingly, the internet works almost perfectly. It's not the fastest I've ever used, but it's been reliable so far, which is more than I can say for my experience with the Red Arrow last week...

Anyways, I figured I may as well hammer out the details of my first round ballot for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize, which is due this Monday. I feel like my ballot is pretty homogeneous in terms of style, but what can I say? It's the music I like. Anyways, here's what I'm voting for this round. Keep your eyes peeled for the 40-album Long List, which will be announced on June 17.

It's funny: I never much cared for Ghostkeeper before this album came out. I've seen them perform a handful of times, but the live show never grabbed me in any meaningful way. Next chance I get to see them, that's going to change: I will be front row centre, pumping my fist and probably singing along. Shane Ghostkeeper and Sarah Houle engage in an amazing, energetic back-and-forth throughout the album, playfulling bouncing the lyrical ball over top of off-kilter guitar-driven melodies. It's a very simple record, but it's layered and multi-faceted. As usual, Peter H. says it way better than I can: "It’s Robert Johnson meets The Fiery Furnaces meets Captain Beefheart meets awesome."

Incidentally, #1 means it's worth the most points (5) on my ballot.

Carey Mercer and co. deliver a stunning effort on their new record. Compared to Tears of the Valedictorian, it is a much more consistent effort: when I recommended that album to people, I would suggest that they listen to the first song, then the last two. Then if they absolutely, utterly adored those, maybe venture into the vast uncharted region that lies between. Comparatively, Paul's Tomb is rich throughout. Even if there's no song that hits quite as high as Bushels, the closer from Tears, it's a much more pleasant experience on the whole.

This is my only mildly-strategic vote. It probably belongs in either the 4 or the 5 slot on my ballot, but I figure it needs more of a boost than my lower-ranked selections.

The numbers don't lie: I have listened to this more than any other eligible record. It has a stunning depth, with about 3 huge money shots that are each worthy of an album-ending fanfare. Much to my chagrin, they haven't been through Calgary to tour it yet, but when they do (eventually, hopefully) I'll be there cheering them on. Probably their best effort to date and a huge improvement on the lacklustre Random Spirit Walker.

This one was just too good to ignore. It's a gorgeous album from the artist formerly known as Final Fantasy (I actually typed it in as such on my ballot and had to make a last-minute change!) I think I've probably already spent enough time writing effusively about the merits of Heartland (my initial impressions; the follow-up). Since then, I've only fallen deeper in love with Owen's enchanting tale. Hopefully this doesn't suffer from people thinking he's already won the prize so he doesn't deserved to be re-recognized, although I think that will be more of an issue in the next two phases of voting.

I'm proud to say that this is a record I would never have heard were it not for my involvement in the jury. It is popular with critics nation-wide and it will represent a popular choice for activist jurors because of its effortless mix of french, english, and "chiac," a maritime dialect that I would call "franglais." These guys rap about a wide variety of banal topics, from their luggage sets to their choices in footwear, but they do so with a vivacity and spirit that makes their album absolutely irresistable and fun. Look at that! Hip hop on my ballot, what a world, what a world!