By Ron Nurwisah, Boy Reporter

Ok, so there are no obnoxious hosts (yes, we mean you Mulroney!) and we don’t get to vote by cellphone, but in a way SOCAN’s Echo Songwriting prize is kind of like Canadian Idol. The award relies on your votes to decide which of these five artists have written the “most innovative, creative and artistic songs created in the past year.” The prize is $5000 which should pay rent and utilities for about six months.
Because we are Torontoist our hearts and votes will most likely go to either Owen Pallett for “This Lamb Sells Condos” or Laura Barrett for “Deception Island Optimists Club.” We’re not telling. We don’t want feelings to get hurt. Our only complaint, why do the clips sound like they were recorded through a tin can? Geez SOCAN.