The winner is announced on Thursday, the mercurys are normally a good place to look for decent music. So who do you think will pick up the gong on Thursday, I'd like KT Tunstall to win I can't stop playing her album at the moment.
I have'nt been able to fit all the shotlisted artists on the poll so if you want to see who else is shortlisted have a look at www.nationwidemercurys.com

Polar bear desercve a mention- incredible contemporary jazz band.

I'd rather let a polar bear defecate into my ears than listen to most of the nominees this year.

MIA to win.

He's the token folkie in the competition, and therefore the underdog. But listen to the Seth Lakeman clip on that website. It's fresh, new, fantastic, and he's pretty damn fine to boot (bad pics on mercury site though). Saw both him and KT TUnstall at Cambridge FF, and although KT was pretty fabtastic, Seth just blew me away, and I listen to a lot of folk. I'd recommend it to anyone, folkie or not - go on, give it a listen, you might be surprised!

umm... what exactly is the rules for this mercury award? do they have to be a particular genre or record label or something? :? I wouldn't put any of them down as the best album of the year...

musically talking the new Nine Inch Nails albums is absolutly fantastic, I cant stop listening to it... Trent Reznor is a fantasic composer, the music he creates is just amazing...

also the new album by System Of a Down is also damn good and another album I've had playing a lot this year...

out of the ones put above it'd probably have to be Coldplay or Keiser Cheifs :? dunno...

Originally posted by xafier
umm... what exactly is the rules for this mercury award? do they have to be a particular genre or record label or something? :? I wouldn't put any of them down as the best album of the year...

musically talking the new Nine Inch Nails albums is absolutly fantastic, I cant stop listening to it... Trent Reznor is a fantasic composer, the music he creates is just amazing...

also the new album by System Of a Down is also damn good and another album I've had playing a lot this year...

out of the ones put above it'd probably have to be Coldplay or Keiser Cheifs :? dunno...

It's supposed to be an award for innovation in music (usualyl within their genre) and making a significant change in some aspect of the music industry.

It also costs £400 to enter :suspect: .

Everyone pleasr listen to that Seth clip!!!

My best album of the year is completely different to my most onnovative album. I hardly think that the Kaiser Chiefs or Bloc Party, whilst good, have made much of a significant change to the landscape of music this year.

Out of the list the Kaiser chiefs get the :nod:

Quick everyone you can see lovely seth performing here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/cambridge2005/onair.shtml

Go on!

you can listen to some Seth Lakerman (http://www.fishrecords.co.uk/reviews/kittyjay.htm) clips here.

I personally think Anthiony and the Johnsons will win it.

I think MIA should probably win it.

I would like the Kaiser Chiefs to explain the innovative part of their sound :D

The Magic Numbers get my vote - they've had an amazing year. Don't think they'll win though!

This award is supposed to be about innovation and creativity, or so I've read on this thread.

If that is the case then nothing else can win it btu M.I.A. because that album is so inventive, creative and different! As for changing the genre, I think M.I.A. has managed to make Garage more acceptable and away from a stereotype to many audiences (such as myself) than ever before.

As for significant changes to the music industry, I do know that this album was created with the help of many different unheard of people, including some fo the underground Sheffield hip-hop scene, a rarity in a world of big name labels and producers.

So I guess for these reasons, she really does deserve to win it.

Wilf

Originally posted by BrainThrust
This award is supposed to be about innovation and creativity, or so I've read on this thread.

If that is the case then nothing else can win it btu M.I.A. because that album is so inventive, creative and different! As for changing the genre, I think M.I.A. has managed to make Garage more acceptable and away from a stereotype to many audiences (such as myself) than ever before.

As for significant changes to the music industry, I do know that this album was created with the help of many different unheard of people, including some fo the underground Sheffield hip-hop scene, a rarity in a world of big name labels and producers.

So I guess for these reasons, she really does deserve to win it.

Wilf

What he said

I vote Kaiser Chiefs- Employment

Originally posted by Jon
I vote Kaiser Chiefs- Employment

For innovation? REALLY?

The most innovative thing they've done is add a long 'AAAAAAAAAAAAH, AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! !!' to every song!

to be honest I've seen more innovative impressionists...

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Its great 100% FACT. I love it. its witty clever wierd a bit different certainly fresher sounding than many other 'guitar bands' and just great. They may not be a bit nervous looking live but that album is the best album of the year.
Kaiser Chiefs is good but its not a Mercury winner, same goes for coldplay.

The Go Team was missed off the list. why?! thats also a great album but still Bloc Party come out on top.

And thats my two cents.

-Mr Purple

if anyone's interested (NoseyRosie? If you can come back from Brum!), Seth Lakeman's coming to Sheffield Sat Dec 10th, supporting the Levellers @ the Octagon...

Personally, I'll be happy to see KT Tunstall or Bloc Party win it. Coldplay's X+Y is a sublime album, but I'd like to see some newbies being given a chance.

Originally posted by KookyKoo
if anyone's interested (NoseyRosie? If you can come back from Brum!), Seth Lakeman's coming to Sheffield Sat Dec 10th, supporting the Levellers @ the Octagon...

Personally, I'll be happy to see KT Tunstall or Bloc Party win it. Coldplay's X+Y is a sublime album, but I'd like to see some newbies being given a chance.

******* hell Kooky, I'm so there (Xmas hols by then!)!!!

I saw the Magic Numbers support Supergrass last year (?) at the Octogen and they were really borin. A nicey nicey guitar band. Look like hippies ot me!

Maximo Park for sure!

Well! That surprised me somewhat....I dunno who I expected to win but.....

That guy sounded like Nina Simone so much!

In many ways it was predictable. The judges always like to pick something off kilter from what they've chosen in the past. I have to say, the first time the beeb showed his live performance i was non-plussed. The second time, it made the hairs stand on the back of my neck. The power of hype, hey? He has a unique sound, and that is to be commended. He was also incredibly gracious in victory. I thought Polar Bear were kick ass, but they had a rat's chance in hell of winning.

Bloc Party should have won it, but I'm just glad Kaiser Chiefs didn't.

Not to be sceptical but it was started by record executives who decided that this time of year is really slow for people buying CD's.

It does the job, gets some publicity for other artists and everyones happy, even if they don't win, there's a few extra quid in the kitty