July 7, 201114 yr And she nearly did win, except they had the editor of the NME chairing the committee that year railroading people into voting for that godawful Klaxons album... what a $h!te album that was? It wasn't even proper nu rave...
July 7, 201114 yr Speech Debelle and Klaxons are the two winners I never understood. But some WTF moments are needed now and then...
July 7, 201114 yr While Klaxons were a WTF moment, Speech Debelle was way beyond that, especially when you consider what she beat: Bat for Lashes – Two Suns Florence and the Machine – Lungs Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires Glasvegas – Glasvegas Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew The Horrors – Primary Colours The Invisible – The Invisible Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum La Roux – La Roux Led Bib – Sensible Shoes Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men
July 7, 201114 yr While Klaxons were a WTF moment, Speech Debelle was way beyond that, especially when you consider what she beat: Bat for Lashes – Two Suns :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:
July 8, 201114 yr whoa, i never new the klaxons were so hated! I dont hate them. I just dont like their debut very much. Mercury Prize and NME album of 2007.... who do they think they are fooling?
July 9, 201114 yr While Klaxons were a WTF moment, Speech Debelle was way beyond that, especially when you consider what she beat: Bat for Lashes – Two Suns Florence and the Machine – Lungs Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires Glasvegas – Glasvegas Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew The Horrors – Primary Colours The Invisible – The Invisible Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum La Roux – La Roux Led Bib – Sensible Shoes Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men My mate at work thought there was something very suspicious on Speech Debelle's win. Apparantly a lot of people started backing Speech to win just literally a couple of hours before they announced the winner. I can't remember the ins and outs of it but it seems the winner had leaked. I always remember my mate saying something along the lines of "if this had been horse racing, the police would've been involved". I literally don't know one person who actually likes Speech Debelle so I can only conclude that Mercury just wanted a shock winner and so gave it to the act who was least likely to win from the betting odds. Like you've listed, Speech Debelle over all those albums? I supposed the brilliant thing is that the general public weren't fooled and her album went on to sell roughly 500 copies after her win. :D
July 11, 201114 yr This year's list must surely include PJ Harvey, HURTS, Metronomy, Adele.... I'd be very surprised to see Kate Bush on the final list - 'Director's Cut' is a definite career lowpoint....
July 11, 201114 yr I would love to see Metronomy win, have fallen in love with The English Riviera over the past few weeks. James Blake and Everything Everything should hopefully get a nod as well. I absolutely agree - English Riviera is a truly great album..... it's tying with PJ Harvey as my album of the year so far. I agree about Everything Everything - to a point..... I really like some of the singles (Final Form is pehnomenal)...but too much of their album is filler, I think. And his voice can definitely great after a while. James Blake, again - a lot of his album is self indulgent noodly tunelessness.... and some of it - absolute genius. Wild Beasts should definitely get a nod, too - Smother is fabulous.
July 11, 201114 yr Whilst we ponder the FAR INFERIOR Mercury. Here's the shortlist for this year's Polaris Music Prize- Arcade Fire "The Suburbs" Austra "Feel It Break" Braids "Native Speaker" Destroyer "Kaputt" Galaxie "Tigre et diesel" Hey Rosetta! "Seeds" Ron Sexsmith "Long Player Late Bloomer" Colin Stetson "New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges" Timber Timbre "Creep On Creepin' On" The Weeknd "House Of Balloons"
July 12, 201114 yr From Q Magazine... Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2011 - who will make the shortlist? The Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist is to be announced a week today (19 July) presenting us with the 12 best British and Irish releases of the last year - well in their opinion. The list will be compiled by the Prize's jury of music industry movers and shakers, chaired as ever by Simon Frith, who will then argue it out on the night of the ceremony (held in early September) to pick one record to follow last year's winners The xx. So who can we expect to see on the 2011 shortlist? From Adele's success on both sides of the Atlantic to dubstep reaching the mainstream - led by Magnetic Man, James Blake and Katy B - there are plenty of directions for the panel to consider. And with Laura Marling not releasing a record until September, who will fill the regular folk spot? Here is Q's look at the albums we think could be in with a shout. Adele - 21 21 transformed the loveable Londoner from a budding songstress to a global phenomenon, racking up six million sales worldwide and a record sixteen weeks atop the UK album charts in the process. The album's plaintive piano balladry is buoyed by gentle orchestral touches and candid lyrics. Adele.tv Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See The return of Sheffield's finest has got to be in with a shout of a nomination, and a possible first double win for Alex Turner and co after their debut picked up the award in 2006. Still retaining the fuzz they developed with Josh Homme on their last release, Suck It And See adds pop sensibilities and plenty of wit to the already heady mix. Arcticmonkeys.com Katy B - On A Mission Katy B's glossy spin on dubstep lifted it out of grimey basements clubs and into the charts, rubbing shoulders with pop's finest. The Magnetic Man collaborator's debut album is a full house of what can only be described as "CHOONS!" Rinse.fm/katyb James Blake - James Blake Part soul, part dubstep, wholly enthralling. Blake's earthy electronics and sterling vocals made his self-titled debut album one of the most curious and intense listens of the year. Jamesblakemusic.com Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi The influence of Brian Eno and fellow Mercury Prize contender PJ Harvey lurks in the backdrop of Calvi's self-titled debut, but with her virtuoso guitar player, matador dress sense and force of nature personality, the south Londoner has created something truly original. Annacalvi.com/ Chase And Status - No More Idols An album rammed with both euphoric underground-aping rave sounds and mainstream sensibilities, No More Idols saw the duo become an indomitable force of modern dance and near permanent presence on UK radio. Chaseandstatus.co.uk Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys!Guy Garvey's nostalgia-laced ode to childhood is as affecting and gripping as anything Elbow have ever produced, and sees the band firing on all cylinders. The group already have won a Mercury Prize for The Seldom Seen Kid, and on the basis of the phenomenal response to this record, you wouldn't bet against them picking up another - or at the very least a nomination. Elbow.co.uk Esben And The Witch - Violet Cries A gloriously languid traipse through soundscapes melded out of gothic guitars, cavernous echoes and the haunting vocals of singer Rachel Davies. The Brighton trio's music is too dark for some, but having seen them sign directly to acclaimed US indie label Matador they will be difficult to ignore. Esbenandthewitch.co.uk Everything Everything - Man Alive Like a good country walk, Everything Everything's innovative art pop assault gets better with every listen. First time you're just trying to find your way around, but with familiarity rather then contempt you can start to enjoy a sprawling landscape of changing time signatures, killer falsettos and some borrowed hip hop production. Everything-everything.co.uk Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner A tidy burst of electro goodness, Peckham-born producer Derwin Panda debut is a riveting listen. From the pulsating shards of vocal sampling in opening song You to the album's blissful finish, it's no wonder he's also a much in-demand remixer. Iamgoldpanda.com The Horrors - Skying Skying is a formidable mix of '80s indie and shoegaze that with its July release just sneaks into consideration. Frontman Faris Badwan's - who might be up for a nod too with side project Cat's Eyes - broody growls are backed by a caterwaul of fierce synths and billowing guitars. Thehorrors.co.uk Hurts - Happiness Easily the most stylish people in contention for this year's prize, slick electro-pop duo Hurts introduced themselves late last year with their impressive debut album, Happiness, a record brimming with style, sophistication and Kylie Minogue. Informationhurts.com/gb/home/ Jessie J - Who You Are Shortly after "doing it like a dude" all over British radio airwaves, the Brits Critics Choice winner released an album full of towering pop classics in waiting. Who You Are is loud, brash and boasts melodies that are almost abhorrently infectious - and it's just what British pop needs. Jessiejofficial.com Miles Kane - Colour Of The Trap Having finally stepped out of the - er - Shadows, Alex Turner's Last Shadow Puppets collaborator has served up a series of high-octane, 60s infused pop rock, as the one time Rascal has surprised many on his solo debut. Mileskane.com Magnetic Man - Magnetic Man An dubstep dance supergroup combining the tlaents of Skream, Benga and Artwork. Their debut album brings together an exhilirating body of club beats and grimey synths, and is largely credited with helping to bring dubstep and the likes of Katy B to mainstream attention. Magneticman.co.uk Metronomy - The English Riviera The Brighton quartet delivered a stunning slab of danceable indie on their third album. Made up of shimmering keyboard textures, crisp guitars and unrelenting percussive snaps, it's also probably the first indie record to pay tribute to band leader Joesph Mount's native Devon. Metronomy.co.uk Noah And The Whale - Last Night On Earth Upgrading from their folk debut, Charlie Fink and friends' Last Night On Earth pushed Noah and the Whale to the forefront of British music with its added bleeps and anthemic moments. Noahandthewhale.com PJ Harvey - Let England Shake The revered Dorset songwriter amped up the emotion on her eighth studio album. The album's anti war title track was premiered live in a TV performance on the Andrew Marr Show, while then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown looked on uncomfortably. Harvey's songs about the traumas of war are at once personal and universal, and could follow up her 2001 Mercury win with a nomination. Pjharvey.net Radiohead - The King Of Limbs For a man who once sang No Surprises, Thom Yorke certainly knows how to spring a surprise or two. The group's eighth studio album came almost completely out of the blue with its online release following days after the record's existence was announced. Radiohead.com/ SBTRKT - SBTRKT The mysterious masked producer's slick electronic rumblings boast plenty of spectral quirks and invention and an added R&B edge. Including a contribution from Little Dragon, it's unclear if he's nominated whether he'll wear the mask all night at ceremony. Sbtrkt.com Skream - Outside The Box Possibly more famed for his chart storming remix of La Roux's In For The Kill and his work with Magnetic Man, but Skream - real name Oliver Jones - turned the right heads with his second full length album that he might just squeeze onto this year's list all on his own. Myspace.com/skreamuk Jamie xx and Gil-Scott Heron - We're New Here We had to double check that this re-imagining of the late Gil-Scott Heron's last album was eligible, but having won the prize with his main band, Jamie XX is in the running. Based on I'm New Here, Heron's poetic musings slide effortlessly into a world of newly crafted sprawling soundscapes. Much, much more than a remix album and rightly eligible for the 2011 shortlist. Myspace.com/jamiexxlondon thevaccines80x80The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? The Londoners survived the early, beginning of the year hype to charm the UK with their Ramones-fuelled indie rock debut album. With the band already warming to the bigger stages following a few festival appearances this summer, it seems we're beginning to expect a lot from The Vaccines Facebook.com/thevaccines Wild Beasts - Smother Having featured on last year's shortlist with second album Two Dancers, the Kendal band hope to make it two in two years with this wintery follow-up. Singer Hayden Thorpe's operatic tones can be an acquired taste, but indulge in the group's theatrical inflections and you'll find a highly rewarding piece of crisp, emoting indie. Wild-beasts.co.uk WU LYF - Go Tell Fire To The Mountain The mysterious Manchester collective have been as famous for not giving interviews as for their music. Their self-released debut album recorded in a church changes that. Mixing luscious pipe organs, gravel-throated vocals, reverberating guitar sounds and pounding drums it's a darkly euphoric debut album to remember. Wulyf.org Yuck - Yuck Tender vocals, distorted fuzz and shoegaze awkwardness, this London four piece - formed by survivors from Cajun Dance Party - make an racket reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth on their debut album. Who knows - it could be the first ever grunge record to make the Mercury shortlist... Yuckband.blogspot.com The shortlist will be announced by Lauren Laverne at 11.30am (BST) on July 19. See Mercuryprize.com for more on this year's competition. Meanwhile, from judge Lauren Laverne's Twitter in response "Some good calls. Adele defo. I've been saying Metronomy for ages, although I mentioned it to a judge & they...did eyebrows!"
July 12, 201114 yr But a review is only one person's opinion. I always laughed when they gave that as the excuse when an album they gave only 2 or 3 stars to makes their top 10 of the year! Why let that person review it if the majority of people working there think otherwise?
July 12, 201114 yr But a review is only one person's opinion. I always laughed when they gave that as the excuse when an album they gave only 2 or 3 stars to makes their top 10 of the year! Why let that person review it if the majority of people working there think otherwise? did you know that Portishead's Dummy didn't make their end of year Top 50 in 1994. :lol:
July 12, 201114 yr How often do R&B/Soul-Pop albums get included? :lol: Would it be too much to ask for Bruno Mars to get a mention? :lol: (Laugh all you like but he's critically acclaimed, is he not? :lol:) I dunno how the Mercury Prize works properly. All I know is that something unusual/I've never heard of wins nearly all the time. haha. Hopefully Noah & The Whale and Jessie J get nominated. [/predictable]
July 12, 201114 yr How often do R&B/Soul-Pop albums get included? :lol: Would it be too much to ask for Bruno Mars to get a mention? :lol: (Laugh all you like but he's critically acclaimed, is he not? :lol:) I dunno how the Mercury Prize works properly. All I know is that something unusual/I've never heard of wins nearly all the time. haha. Hopefully Noah & The Whale and Jessie J get nominated. [/predictable] It's only for British albums though! So he's ineligible. Metronomy are probably my favourite from that list....really hope they get nominated. Although after what Lauren Laverne said, I'm guessing it's unlikely now. :( Edited July 12, 201114 yr by Cremey
July 12, 201114 yr How is Bruno Mars critcially acclaimed? Which critics or publications champion him?
July 12, 201114 yr How is Bruno Mars critcially acclaimed? Which critics or publications champion him? Well none. But critically acclaimed Tyler, The Creator wants to stab him in his god damn esophagus and won't stop until the cops come in.
July 12, 201114 yr Katy B - On A Mission James Blake - James Blake Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner The Horrors - Skying PJ Harvey - Let England Shake SBTRKT - SBTRKT Jamie xx and Gil-Scott Heron - We're New Here The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? Wild Beasts - Smother WU LYF - Go Tell Fire To The Mountain Yuck - Yuck I hadn't realised the UK had made some rather good albums this year!
July 12, 201114 yr I'm probably blinded my absolute adoration for it, but is there a reason there's been no mention of Jamie Woon in any of these odds/articles? It's more than deserving. If Jessie J gets nominated, my respect for this prize will be slashed significantly - it's an absolutely dreadful album. I really don't think they'll go there, though... will they? I suppose it does have the sales and the Sound of 2011 tag behind it.
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