Coldplay, Peas Storm Canada

The thirty-fifth annual Juno Awards -- Canada's answer to the Grammys -- had the country's music scene abuzz this week in the lead-up to Sunday night's ceremony at the Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hosted by busty bombshell (and native) Pamela Anderson, the awards sent Canadian talents Neil Young, the Arcade Fire, rockers Nickelback, crooner Michael Buble and pop-punks Simple Plan home with the big prizes, along with international acts Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas.

Vancouver's Nickelback, who won best group and rock album for their blockbuster All the Right Reasons, kicked off the evening with a good dose of pyrotechnics for its performance of "Savin' Me." But it was Buble who made the biggest noise, winning Artist of the Year and three additional awards: His collection of vintage love songs, It's Time, took best pop album and album of the year, and he garnered Single of the Year for "Home."

"I think Nickelback is a great band," Buble told Rolling Stone backstage. "As much as I am so in love with the fact that I won these awards tonight, no awards show is ever representative. It's too subjective. How can you say Buble's better than Nickelback? One has nothing to do with the other, so I just have to feel lucky that I got lucky."

While big-name Canadian artists such as Avril Lavigne, Shania Twain and Alanis Morissette were absent this year, the Juno producers invited non-Canadians Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas to perform. In one of the oddest wins, the bands tied for international album of the year -- over 50 Cent, Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson.

Coldplay's stellar rendition of "Talk" was easily one of the night's highlights. Frontman Chris Martin then went on to induct Canadian rock star Bryan Adams into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, joining such icons as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Rush. "He just hugged me backstage, and, to be honest, it was arousing," joked Martin, before a video montage recapped Adams' twenty-eight years of making music and 88 million albums sold worldwide.

Adams, who played the apropos "18 'Til I Die," managed to thank everyone from his manager (and Buble's) Bruce Allen to his mom, dad and brother. "Canada is a great place to come from," said the visibly moved Adams. "I believe that had I started anywhere else but Vancouver, I would not be here tonight."

Although triple nominee Neil Young was a no-show, he did nab both the oddly named adult alternative album trophy and Producer of the Year. Arcade Fire, the most critically acclaimed newcomers out of the Montreal scene -- and also no-shows -- won Songwriter of the Year.

Meanwhile, sexpot and PETA spokesperson Anderson, who last year sang with Bryan Adams on his updated version of "When You're Gone," could not help tossing in a dig at the Canadian practice of slaughtering seals for their skins. "I don't mind a little blood on the ice when it's a hockey rink, but I hate seeing blood on the ice when it's from baby seals," she said to boos from many in the audience. "I can take it," she responded in her short shorts and plunging neckline. "I have high heels, and they dig in deep!" Anderson quickly returned to playful form, making sure to call Buble "hot" and Nickelback "sexy rockers." And there was no shortage of groan-worthy lines, such as "The Canadian music scene is bursting at the seams."

Other awards included best alternative album, which went to Broken Social Scene's self-titled release. The act also performed -- with sixteen musicians, including Leslie Feist and Amy Millan of Stars -- a rendition of "Idi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)" Producer Daniel Lanois (U2) took best instrumental album for his latest solo effort, Belladonna, and new artist went to Daniel Powter, whose international hit "Bad Day" can be heard every time a contestant gets tossed on American Idol. Simple Plan, who just returned home from a South African tour, showed up to pick up the coveted Fan Choice award, beating out Nickelback, Buble, Diana Krall and Celine Dion.

The 2006 Juno Awards will air in the U.S. on MTV2 at a later date.