Nominations for 2009 Mercury Music Prize AnnouncedTis the season of the music prize dear reader and the venerable British version was announced earlier today. The judges who preside over the annual Mercury Music Prize are soon to commiserate in an attempt to figure out the best album by a British artist in 2009. The methodology behind the award’s designation is a closely guarded secret, with a handful of music industry types deciding who should win the prestigious award.
The prize of £20,000 (approx. $36,200 C) is considerable, and will help out any artist in these recessionary times. The favourites to win this year are Florence and The Machine and Kasabian, although Bat for Lashes, Glasvegas and The Horrors have all got a good chance of taking home the prestigious award.
The winner of the prize will be announced on September 8th. The full list of nominees reads as follows:
Florence and the Machine – Lungs
Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
La Roux – La Roux
Glasvegas – Glasvegas
Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
The Horrors – Primary Colours
Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
The Invisible – The Invisible
Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men
Any ideas on whom you think will take the purse this year? I think that Florence and the Machine will be hard to beat.
5 comments:
All things considered.
Who cares?
Really.
I can't believe that the pound (how do you do the key on a pc?) is dropping so much! Yikes.
I must admit I was not very taken with Bat for Lashes...perhaps I need to hear more of their older work.
I am with you and think Florence will probably take it - not a bad shortlist though.
errr...what's up with Mr (or Mrs.) grumpy anonymous commenter? I mean to go out of your way to visit a pop culture centric blog and just say "who cares"?
Apparently some people do care, and although it is certainly valid to have your own opinion in such matters, why not post a brilliant comment explaining why you think the prize is irrelevant, as opposed to being simply dismissive of others?
Long live spirited debate!
You tell em, Westcoast!
Sean, I am embarrassed to admit that I own all of one of these albums, Two Suns, and I do tend to find I prefer it in smaller doses than all at once. I may need to check into offerings from Florence and the Machine a wee bit though, if that song is any indication.
Anon - Mom?
Allison - Character map my dear. :)
You must give Bat for Lashes the due they deserve. Natasha Khan is a delightful performer and her star is certainly rising. Give the record time. I rather like it quite a bit. The older stuff just as appealing. At least to me.
Matthew - Thank you for the vote of confidence. I would be all for a spirited debate on the relative merits of the now ubiquitous music prize. I honestly think there is real value in these things largely because of discussion they inherently engender. Music discussion is a good thing and anything that fosters that is worthy. At least in my books. So I indeed do care. Quite a bit in fact. As do the majority of readers on this blog thankfully.
Glad you like Florence too. She'll be a hard one to beat.
Barbara - I honestly think Florence would really appeal to your musical sensibilities Barb. Even moreso than Bat for Lashes. Although I don't need to remind you Thom Yorke is a huge fan of Natasha's music. Therefore simply because of that you should be obligated to love them.
Can't upset the musical boyfriends now. ;)
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