It’s time for another year of the Junos, and while they don’t normally take our advice, we’ve got some opinions on who deserves to win this year.
JUNO FAN CHOICE AWARD
The pickings are pretty slim in this category, and really all we’re hoping for is that Nickelback don’t win. Country crooner Johnny Reid would be an acceptable choice in this category.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Rusted From The Rain, Billy Talent
Anybody Listening, Classified
Best I Ever Had, Drake
Haven’t Met You Yet, Michael Buble
Love Is A First, The Tragically Hip
Historically, the Junos haven’t done so well with hip-hop, but we’re still hoping they can get over the pop/rock bias and give Drake the nod in this category. Even if you think he’s overrated, Best I Ever Had was easily one of the biggest anthems in the world last summer.
INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The nominations in this division are a bit puzzling, and not terribly inspiring. Kings Of Leon are the most critically respected act here, but the bar has been set pretty low.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but Michael Buble is probably the best option here, with Johnny Reid running a close second.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Given the recent success of Young Artists For Haiti version of his song Wavin Flag, K’naan easily deserves this one.
GROUP OF THE YEAR
It would be nice to see Metric win this one, but given the names they’re up against, it seems unlikely. We’d still be happy if Blue Rodeo get this one.
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
It is kind of impressive that this category has two bona-fide international superstars nominated (ie. Drake and Justin Bieber). We’re rooting for Drake on this one.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
There are some good options here, but Joel Plaskett easily gets the nod from us, and we’re kind of disappointed that his name isn’t up for more awards.
ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
We were pleasantly surprised to see 1977 on this list. It was a great album, but we were under the impression that only us and a small handful of other people had heard it. As awesome as Joel Plaskett’s Three was, we’re going to give our vote to the longshot.
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
These are all good albums, so there’s no way this category is going to disappoint. If we had our way, Julie Doiron would win, but we all know it’s more likely to go to one of the major label acts.
POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Not much to be excited about here, but it would be interesting if the underdogs LIGHTS won this one. You know, just to shake things up.
ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Yet another category where the answer is “anyone but Nickelback”. The Tragically Hip would be an acceptable choice, and if not them, we’re pulling for Alexisonfire.
RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
I know I’m going to get hate from the underground hip-hop scene for this, but I still think Drake deserves this one. If not him, lets give it to K’Naan.
DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
While Deadmau5 is certainly much bigger and influential on an international level, we’re kind of hoping that if Thunderheist win it they’ll consider reforming.
Of course, there are many more categories we’re missing here. Any musician or group worth pulling for, add in the comments.[rssbreak]
