I love the Mercury Prize. I admit that the bands I want to win never do win (I’m so sorry British Sea Power, it’s all over for you now.) But the Mercury seems to be one of the very few awards that actually gets people talking about music, as opposed to sales figures or party planning or celebrity gossip. This year’s nominations were announced yesterday – so here they are:
British Sea Power Do You Like Rock Music?
Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid
Estelle Shine
Last Shadow Puppets The Age Of Understatement
Laura Marling Alas I Cannot Swim
Neon Neon Stainless
Portico Quartet Knee Deep In The North Sea
Radiohead In Rainbows
Rachel Unthank and The Winterset The Bairns
Robert Plant and Alison Kraus Raising Sand
For me it’s got to be British Sea Power. Do You Like Rock Music? is already my favourite album of this year – it’s clever without being condescending and has a sweeping, full sound without ever being pompous. That said, I think the majority of this list is pretty solid – what are your thoughts?
The Elbow album is in my Top 5 this year, and at this point might actually be atop my list.
But, of course… because I like it, it won’t win either.
No. 1 — Burial/Radiohead (tie)
No. 3 — Plant & Kraus
After that, it’s a precipitous drop.
For me the best British album of the last 12 months is Eliza Carthy’s ‘Dreams of underwater breathing’ (breathtaking. no, really). But then Rachel Unthank’s (admitedly v. good) album has bagged the token folk slot – and that won’t win either.
Hope Elbow wins, but will probably be young sensitive singer-songwriterly type Laura Marling.
I really like that Eliza Carthy too Phoney – I was hoping she’d make it on there.
I’m hoping Rachel Unthank & The Winterset will win! They were great live earlier this year. There’s usually one album on the list that I’ve got (so that will be the one I want to win; Rachel Unthank this year, and last year it was Bat For Lashes).
(and I like the new Eliza Carthy too)
I think I am going to put some money down on Plant & Krauss. Haven’t heard it but think they’ll win it. I’ve avoided the Sea Power album, the single was ok, didn’t blow me away. Is it that good Anna?
Despite all the hype surrounding Adele I really like her album. Not sure it’s a Mercury contender though. Coffee table soul pop, albeit good coffee table soul pop.
The Mercury prize is a friggin lottery… who know’s how they decide on the winner.
Mr. B: Plant & Krauss is really — really — good roots/blues music with outstanding close harmonies. Ex. A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL29_GH91f8
Ah Mr B, you’ve made me go all hesitant now. I love the Sea Power album and I’ve converted several others, but I’ll feel guilty if you don’t like it (after all, all things are possible.) If you’ve thought their earlier stuff was at least okay and you like the Arcade Fire then you should be on to a winner with it.
I’m rooting for Elbow – always the underdog and their new album is fantastic. Definitely my tops for 2008. Where’s The Duke Spirit on this list?
@ Dan Esq. — Cheers for the recommend, does sound pretty good.
@Anna — hahaha, pressure on huh
I do like both their 2 previous albums, I suppose that’s why I am not sure I need another? I might add that I was misleading in my last post. I _did_ actually like the single Atom, it was the extra tracks that left me so-so.
In which case I’ll throw caution to the wind and say get it. Go on!