While I think his newest album is a step up from his first, I guess I'm not as in love with it as the rest of you here - there were a bunch of other nominees I'd have rather seen win. But it's pleasant enough, I can't complain. I remember reading an interview, where he said he doesn't actually play the games... lets see if I can find the quote...

Here it is:

The name comes from the video game, which Pallett admits he doesn't have the patience to play. "I like the idea of it, this big gay thing," he says, citing his interest in Japanese culture and literature. "The games are ridiculously overwrought and convoluted emotionally," which he admits also applies to his music.

He Poos Clouds is one of the most wonderful albums released in years (and for any doubter that still doesn't love him after listening to the lyrics to "Arctic Circle", well, there's no hope for you). Ever since I heard his debut, I've secretly been hoping that he would remain just as obscure as he is now to your average Gamefaqer. I'll lament the day I see Sefirot777's "favorite bands" list and see Final Fantasy alongside the Black Mages, Rush and Godsmack.

This album has been creeping ninja-style into my collection of albums I use to chill out when everything around me is berzerking out ( alongside Brian Eno's "Music for Airports", Vashti Bunyan's latest, Joanna Newsom, Thelonius Monk, etc).

It's weird and didn't blow me away immediately, but gets better every time I listen to it. I hadn't really thought this was "gay" music but it's hardly a hard rock opera. It's orchestral, bleepy, and dramatic just like the game.

I'll join in on the chorus of people saying that both of his albums are pretty good, and much less sucky than most of the emo that passes for indy rock now adays (which is paradoxical if you look at him). In Canada you can get his album in pretty much any music store.

As for how he hasn't gotten sued ... well I have no idea. I do know that naming yourself "Final Fantasy" makes it almost impossible to have your albums and songs found on p2p and torrent trackers (not that you go that way, the album is great), so that might be the impetus of the name as much as anything else.

He's excellent. This man did some string arrangements for Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene before beginning this solo venture. If you ever have the chance, check him out live. He's a limitlessly charismatic performer, completely captivating. His Polaris win is a little bit of surprise given that this second album kind of came out as an underdog. It's nice to see a deserved win.

I know his stuff is in the Canadian iTunes store.. It's extremely good, albeit weird stuff. I've had his second album, He Poos Clouds, on repeat for the past 2 weeks. check out his other album too, "Has a good home".

He Poos Clouds is the name of his second album, his best IMO. If you guys knows about Arcade Fire, it's worth to note that he was responsible for all strings arragements on Funerals. A very talented man.

His music is mostly violin based with a few other instruments here and there, with vocals. Quite accessible indie pop.

I'm having a little trouble reading this post. So he names himself after the series? So he calls himself "Final Fantasy," and not Owen Pallett?

But then later on it says that his one-man project is called "Final Fantasy," but the project that won him the award is "He Poos Clouds," is that right?

I haven't been a journalist for years, but I think you could stand to write a little more clearly, bud. Might be at the expense of making fun of a ten year old game's graphics, but at least then it'd be clearer what you're talking about.

You can buy them at Tower Records right off Grafton Street, Florian :P

And if you want to know, yes his stuff is quite good. However it is quite fey. If you turn your nose at stuff like Belle and Sebastian, you probably won't enjoy it. Myself, I love it, he's got some beautiful tracks.

I saw him live on the day before the Polaris Music Prize. Small college club in Calgary, everyone was sitting on the wooden dancefloor. It was pitch black, and he had a girl & an overhead projector displaying some of the most beautiful, most colourful psychidelic imagery imaginable.

In other words, Final Fantasy is AWESOME MUSIC and he puts on one wicked live show. Not the kind of music most gamers listen to, but if you dig it...

oh man, so good.

www.blocksblocksblocks.com

$10 if you buy straight from the publisher.

Direct link - http://www.thebluehouse.org/details.php?id=764

I saw Final Fantasy open up for Arcade Fire last year, he is awesome. I have since listened to his first album, Final Fantasy has a good home regularly.

Can we send some kind of internet wide memo that explains clearly that using the term "hydrocephalics" in regards to FF characters is no longer witty and cute? And that it never was? Seriouly, it was barely funny the first time, let alone the 50th.

We all know the guy who says "If it is FINAL Fantasy...then why are there 14 of them?" He thinks he's being all witty and clever, because no one thought of it. What he doesn't realize is that we all thought of it, heard the explanation and no longer care.

Why I never checked AMAZON is beyond me.

Final Fantasy is an RPG.

The only one that I need

It's the RPG for me!

http://www.amazon.com/He-Poos-Clouds-Final-Fantasy/dp/B000...