JUNO Awards 2010 Nominees Announced March 8, 2010

Each year, artists across Canada submit their best work for consideration in to 39 categories. One of these categories is the ‘Recording Package of the Year’. Here’s our 2 cents. Let’s see how accurate we are once these are sifted past 330 judges, 45 voting + nominating committee, and 180+ music advisory committee members.

Justin Ellsworth (Art Director/Designer); Vanessa Heins (Photographer); Daniel Romano & Ken Reaume (Illustrators)
Bring Me Your Love (Special Edition) CITY AND COLOUR

Already having won JUNO awards with both his band Alexisonfire and solo project City and Colour, the JUNO’s are a little quieter for Dallas Green this year.

It’s safe to say that City and Colour’s popularity is a huge part of the reason why this album appears in this list. The cover is beautifully illustrated, but it’s not groundbreaking. Some say it’s a rip-off of Iron and Wine’s ‘Our Endless Numbered Days’ (here). Nice artwork, but conceptually very weak.

Martin Bernard (Art Director); Stéphane Cocke (Photographer); Thomas Csano (Designer/Illustrator)
Beats on Canvas BEATS ON CANVAS

Surprisingly, this album is the only one nominated to have a very strong concept. Paintbrushes lined up musically. Drum sticks, strings, take what you will.

Rachelle Dupere (Art Director); Derek Henderson (Photographer); Evan Kaminsky (Designer)
Masters Of The Burial AMY MILLAN

I’m shocked this has even been nominated. Yes, it’s a nice photograph, but conceptually it’s not very strong. I’ll be very surprised if Amy Millan takes the cake.

Alex Durlak (Art Director)
Potential Things CANAILLE

No doubt, Canaille are the underdog in this contest. I’d like to see them win simply because it would be unexpected. With this said, again, much like Ami Millan’s album cover for ‘Masters of the Burial’, it’s nothing more than a nice layout and good imagery. Concept is severely lacking.

Thomas Csano (Art Director/Designer); Alex McLean (Illustrator)
Wooden Arms PATRICK WATSON

Patrick Watson chimes in with a beautiful simplistic centered design. Not groundbreaking, but definitely in the top 3 of this years nominations.

Who will take it? I’m rooting for Beats on Canvas for their strong concept. Who do I think will take it? City and Colour due on popularity or Patrick Watson for his clean, fresh approach.

Frank is Principal at Bureau. He holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Laurentian University and a diploma from Cambrian College's Graphic Design program. He is a founding member of the Sudbury Design Society and a Provisional member of RGD Ontario. He is a Professor at Cambrian College and teaches in the Graphic Design and Public Relations departments.