Wank-tastic. Klaxons - winners of last years award.
It’s that time of the year again… Whether anyone actually cares about the awards or not is open to as much debate as the worthiness of the nominees themselves. But, no matter – here is the shortlist in all its glory. Just one thing though – where the hell are Portishead and Frightened Rabbit?!
Cripes.
Leave your thoughts and annoyences and predictions in the comments box below..
My vote goes to Neon Neon. For what it’s worth.
ELBOW ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’
‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ is Elbow’s fourth album since the band formed in Bury in 1991. Recorded at the band’s own studio in Salford and produced by Elbow’s Craig Potter, it was released in March 2008 on Fiction Records. The album includes the track ‘The Fix’ which features Richard Hawley.
BURIAL ‘Untrue’
‘Untrue’, released in November 2007 on Kode9′s Hyperdub label, is the second album from South London artist Burial and follows his eponymous debut in May 2006. Burial is a pioneering dubstep maestro who prefers to remain anonymous…
RACHEL UNTHANK & THE WINTERSET ‘The Bairns’
Sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank grew up in the North-East of England and were born into a family tradition of sea and border songs. They formed their band in 2004, releasing a debut album ‘The Cruel Sister’ a year later. ‘The Bairns’ is their second album and includes the group’s own compositions as well as arrangements of traditional songs.
RADIOHEAD ‘In Rainbows’
‘In Rainbows’ is the seventh studio album by the Oxford-based five-piece. The number one album was originally released as a download in October 2007 and later as a CD through XL Recordings.
It was produced by Nigel Godrich and features the singles ‘Jigsaw Falling Into Place’ and ‘Nude’.l
ESTELLE ‘Shine’
‘Shine’ is 28-year-old Londoner Estelle Swaray’s second album and was recorded with John Legend as executive producer. ‘Shine’ also features contributions from artists such as Kanye West and Wyclef Jean. The album includes the single ‘American Boy’, which was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
BRITISH SEA POWER ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’
British Sea Power is a four-piece band comprising brothers Yan and Hamilton Wilkinson, along with Matthew Wood and Martin Noble. Formed in 2000 in Cumbria, the band are now based in Brighton. Their third album for Rough Trade, ‘Do You Like Rock Music? features the singles ‘No Lucifer’ and ‘Waving Flags’.
NEON NEON ‘Stainless Style’
Neon Neon features Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals and producer Boom Bip. Guests on the album include Welsh singer Cate Le Bon. ‘Stainless Style’, released in March 2008 on Lex Records, is a conceptual album based around the controversial life of automobile mogul John DeLorean.
LAURA MARLING ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’
Reading’s Laura Marling, 18, released her debut album ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’ on Virgin Records in February 2008. She learned to play guitar at an early age and her talents have led to recent collaborations with The Rakes and tours with Rufus Wainwright and Devendra Banhart.
PORTICO QUARTET ‘Knee-Deep In The North Sea’
Formed in 2005, the four-piece group, all in their early 20s, were discovered after regularly busking outside the National Theatre in London and signed to The Vortex label in 2007. Portico Quartet make unique use of the hang, a recently-invented Swiss percussion instrument which underpins the album’s double bass and saxophone-driven melodies.
ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS ‘Raising Sand’
Released in October 2007, ‘Raising Sand’ is a collaboration between Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant and multi Grammy Award-winning country singer Alison Krauss. The album – instigated by Plant – has gone platinum in the UK.
ADELE ‘19′
‘19′ is the debut album from 19-year-old Londoner Adele Adkins. The album, on XL Recordings, went to number one on its release in January 2008 and has since gone platinum in the UK. ‘19′ features the hit singles ‘Hometown Glory’, ‘Chasing Pavements’ and ‘Cold Shoulder’.
THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS ‘The Age Of The Understatement’
Alex Turner from Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane from Wirral-based band The Rascals, both aged 22, have collaborated to form The Last Shadow Puppets. ‘The Age Of The Understatement’ was produced by James Ford, who also worked on the Arctic Monkeys last album. This album, released by Domino, reached number one on its release in April 2008.
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Neon Neon?!? You’re having a laugh. It’s only 1/2 of a good album.
I’d love to see Rachel Unthank win – that album is amazing and live, her voice is hauntingly good.
Out of the rest, Elbow or BSP would also get my vote. Both have crafted supremely good albums.
Not been a bad year for British music, but when you compare that list to the Canadian Music prize, it’s a bit poor…
1/2 of a good album?! bollocks. its class. which is more than can be said for the ploddy rock of the BSP album. now THATS 1/2 a good album hughes.
it would be nice if elbow won it. they dont get half the amount of credit they deserve.
i love the robert plant album too but it wont win. last shadow puppets is rubbish as is adele.
laura marling is nice enough, but seriously, what does she know about ANYTHING? she’s only what, 13?
See, the thing about the Mercurys is: I don’t get why anyone cares about the Mercurys. Like some sort of dullness parade aimed at Jo Whiley’s listenership. Oh no wait, now I get it…
Good idea for an award in theory though.
totally agree about the frightened rabbit omission. how could they ignore that album ?
the best albums are always omitted… for example: where the hell are the fratellis in that list? such a talented bunch of guys.
I thought Goldfrapp latest was the perfect balance between quality pop and a clever twist to a folk-ish sound to win this year Mercury, she’s not even there!
im suprised imagined village isnt htere- its perfect for the mercurys- i.e. quasi folk rubbish.
Id like to see people buy the rachel unthank record.
Although burial will win…or radiohead. Theyre probably the same person
Radiohead or Elbow should get it but so many omissions… M.I.A, Portishead, Fleet Foxes, Foals, Spiritulized, Hercules & Love Affair, Vampire Weekend, Four Tet etc etc.
I think it would be so utterly brilliant if Burial turned out to be Radiohead really.
It’s just British/Irish artists Andy, so that explains the lack of Fleet Foxes/Vampire Weekend etc.
A possibly more stunning oversight is Coldplay, whose previous three albums were all nominated. Hmm…
good point. but the new album is dog shit. :-)
Lies! It’s by far their best!
Don’t know why anyone would want to bet on a music prize but here is the book from William Hill.
Burial 7/2
Radiohead 4/1
The Last Shadow Puppets 6/1
Elbow 6/1
Laura Marling 10/1
Estelle 10/1
British Sea Power 10/1
Adele 10/1
R Plant / A Krauss 12/1
Neon Neon 12/1
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset 14/1
Portico Quartet 16/1