The Juno Awards have made great strides in credibility in recent years, but that may have culminated in last year's Drake-hosted crowning of Arcade Fire. The 2012 Junos took a great big step backwards -- and a curiously unnecessary one -- by overlooking Drake's critical and commercial hit Take Care in favour of awarding Michael Buble's Christmas album.
Perhaps sensing this impending award show trainwreck, both Canadian superstars stayed away from the Junos broadcast in Ottawa. (As did Buble's fellow Christmas album nominee Justin Bieber, though he accepted his Juno Fan Choice Award, presented by new protégé Carly Rae Jepsen, via taped message.)
Drake's loss to a Christmas album is as egregious as Kanye West not being nominated for a best album Grammy for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Up against two holiday records and a pair of critical failures from Nickelback and Avril Lavigne, it shouldn't have been a contest. Buble's Christmas album is really good for what it is, but what it is is a freaking Christmas album. It's hardly an artistic achievement on the level of Drake's Take Care.
As an aghast Deadmau5 said backstage, "Really? Was it any good? I mean, it better be one hell of a Christmas album."
