So, who's your money on? To win the Mercury Music Prize that is. We're tipping British Sea Power, which probably means they now have no chance of winning whatsoever. The bookies favourites are Radiohead and Last Shadow Puppets, who both currently have odds of 5/1. Burial and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss are on 6/1, while Adele, Estelle and the CMU tipped British Sea Power are on 8/1 and Neon Neon, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset and Portico Quartet are all at 10/1. It's a testament to the unpredictability of the Mercury Music Prize that all contenders have relatively low odds.
For those that prefer their Mercury Music Prize news to consist of quotes from trade associations rather than bookie odds, here's a bit for you.
Commenting on the publication of this year's Mercury shortlist yesterday, the chair of record label trade body BPI, Tony Wadsworth, said: "The artists the UK has produced in the past have contributed hugely to Britain's cultural heritage, but this shortlist is a great snapshot of our current vibrant music scene and the rich choice available to music fans. Once again, the Nationwide Mercury Prize highlights the richness and variety of new UK music from labels big and small, and at a time when its influence is once again being felt overseas. The Mercury Prize carries considerable cachet. Making a record is a labour of love that takes hard work and serious investment, and having that work recognised and appreciated is important to the artists and people that made it happen. And in a fractured media age, when standing out from the crowd is difficult, a shortlisting can help a great record attract enough attention to become a modern classic, rather than a buried treasure".
Meanwhile the CEO of indie label trade body AIM, Alison Wenham, told CMU: "When the Mercury Prize was first launched in the early nineties, it had a simple goal - to showcase the best of new British music in all genres, with one overall winner. The eclecticism, diversity and quality of the many artists who have been nominated, and the winners, show Britain's musical creativity to be in great shape. The Nationwide Mercury Music Prize is of particular importance to the independents as it is inclusive of all genres, and the criteria of nomination is simply one of quality rather than commercial success, and for that, the prize is much coveted".