The shortlist for this year's Mercury Music Prize was announced yesterday with few surprises among the typically eclectic assortment of 'albums of the year'. The list looks not altogether unlike this:
Amy Winehouse - Frank
Basement Jaxx - Kish Kash
Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Jamelia - Thank You
Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions
Keane - Hopes and Fears
Robert Wyatt - Cuckooland
Snow Patrol - Final Straw
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
Ty - Upwards
The Zutons - Who Killed...... The Zutons
Announcing the list, Simon Frith, chair of the judging panel, told reporters: "This is an exceptional year, most dramatically illustrated by the emergence of several new and varied bands together with outstanding work by three powerful female singers. The shortlist also recognises the continued good health of the gloriously eclectic world that is British and Irish music."
Commenting on their inclusion, Keane's Tim Rice Oxley told the NME that it was nice to be nominated, but that he didn't expect to win. He told the magazine: "I would imagine they'll give it to someone a bit more obscure. I don't think we'd really count as obscure, now, would we? There are quite a few bands in the list too - but it does show that it's been a really good year for British bands. It's quite nice to have the year in music rounded up in that way."
Will Ashton of Ninja Tunes imprint Big Dada was very upbeat following the inclusion of Ty's excellent 'Upwards' on the list - just two years after Ty's label mate Roots Manuva was nominated for the award. He told CMU: "This is a very considerable achievement for a small independent label. We're really pleased and excited for Ty as his album deserves the recognition. But we also think that the nominations reflect our commitment to putting our artists first and giving them the support to develop their sound rather than trying to squeeze clichÈs out of them for no better reason than to turn a short term profit."
Ty himself added: "I'm absolutely over the moon. It's an amazing experience. I never expected to get nominated. I'm shocked but ready to win!"
Meanwhile Andy Childs of Rykodisc/Hannibal Records was equally upbeat following the addition of Robert Wyatt's 'Cuckooland' on the list - possibly the least high profile of this year's nominations. He told CMU: "It's very gratifying to know that more and more people are coming to know and appreciate Robert's work. Hannibal has been privileged to release seven of Robert's albums so far plus a box set of EPs and every one has an honoured position in our catalogue. His wonderful music is genuinely unique and I think has added immeasurably to the richness of British music over the years. We are very proud to be associated with him and I really hope that this nomination helps secure the wider audience for his music that it deserves. Robert and Alfie are both special people and for the ten years or so that I've known them it's been nothing less than a pleasure to work for them."
Bookies currently have The Streets and Franz Ferdinand as joint favourites to win the award in Sep. Our money's on Franz Ferdinand, which probably means they definitely won't win.