Guest Low Roller Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 A couple of weeks ago the shortlist for this year's Mercury Prize was announced. The annual goal of the Mercury Prize is to highlight the best 12 UK albums of the year (June to June) with an overall winner being announced in September.Last year, the heavily underdog Klaxons won the prize ahead of favoured competition like Amy Winehouse's 'Back in Black'.Here are this year's nominees in alphabetical order:Adele- '19'Cold ShoulderBritish Sea Power- 'Do You Like Rock Music?'Waving FlagsBurial- 'Untrue'ArchangelElbow- 'The Seldom Seen Kid'One Day Like ThisEstelle- 'Shine'American BoyLaura Marling- 'Alas I Cannot Swim'GhostsNeon Neon- 'Stainless Style'I Lust UPortico Quartet- 'Knee Deep In The North Sea'CittagazzeRachel Unthank and the Winterset- 'The Bairns'BlackbirdRadiohead- 'In Rainbows'House of CardsRobert Plant & Alison Kraus- 'Raising Sand'Gone Gone GoneThe Last Shadow Puppets- 'The Age of the Understatement'The Age of the Understatement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I really like that British Sea Power disc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Not sure if it was mentioned around these parts but the Polaris Prize (Canada's equivalent to the Mercury) shortlist was recently announced too.Black Mountain – In the Future Basia Bulat – Oh, My DarlingCaribou – Andorra Kathleen Edwards – Asking For FlowersHoly Fuck – LPPlants and Animals – Parc AvenueStars – In Our Bedroom After The WarShad – The Old PrinceTwo Hours Traffic – Little JabsThe Weakerthans – Reunion TourI've been listening to them all recently as one of my co-workers (the brilliant James Stewart Reaney) is on the Grand Jury.I think it's a pretty weak crop. I'd have to begrudgingly pick the Kathleen Edwards album as it has a number of distinctly Canadian elements and is quite well produced. I'd only give it three and a half stars though. I bet Reaney picks the Basia Bulat album."In Rainbows" is a shoe-in for the Mercury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I was going to do a seperate thread for the Polaris awards, but might as well kill two birds with one stone.I still haven't heard all the discs involved, but for Mercury I must vote for Burial's 'Untrue' over Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' as it is simply one of the most original discs I have ever heard. For Polaris I'll say Plants and Animals' 'Parc Avenue' for now, but I have not yet heard most of the other entries. The Holy Fuck EP is pretty great, but it will never win simply because of the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffhead77 Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I still haven't heard all the discs involved, but for Mercury I must vote for Burial's 'Untrue' over Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' as it is simply one of the most original discs I have ever heard. Amen brother. Untrue = best disc of 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol'Hickster Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Aww I though this was a contest for a outbaord boat motor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 For those wondering, here are the nominees for the Polaris Music Award and a sample tune:Black Mountain- In The FutureAngelsBasia Bulat- Oh, My DarlingIn The NightCaribou- AndorraMelody DayKathleen Edwards- Asking For FlowersI Make the Dough, You Get the GloryHoly Fuck- LPMilkshakePlants and Animals- Parc AvenueMercyStars- In Our Bedroom After the WarTake Me To The RiotShad- The Old PrinceBrother (Watching)Two Hours Traffic- Little JabsNighthawksThe Weakerthans- Reunion TourCivil Twilight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 woah...looks like I hijacked this thread...nice work Low Roller. That totally deserves a thread of its own.I found the Burial a tad too esoteric. High-end shit for sure though.Love the clips! In a Mercury vs. Polaris battle, our gals would easily out-cute the Brits'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 I heart Canadian chicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 The quality of the Canadian list, in my opinion, far betters the UK one... My vote is for Burial and Shad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottieking Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 M, I can't believe you don't love that Plants and Animals album. It is far and away my hopeful for the prize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Plants and Animals will definitely win. That Kathleen Edwards disc is pretty bad (compared to what she's capable of anyways) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasyfizeek Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Couldn't disagree more. Plants and Animals put out a great album, but Kathleen's album is hands down Cdn album of the year, and by far more polished than her last two records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 bland bland bland bland blandbut glad people are liking it. i just think she can do so much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I am not familiar with Kathleen Edwards in the least, so is her catalogue fairly represented by that song "I Get the Dough, You Get Glory"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave-O Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I am not familiar with Kathleen Edwards in the least, so is her catalogue fairly represented by that song "I Get the Dough, You Get Glory"?Yes, but as AD said, usually better than that.There's a lot of meh in the Polaris list this year. I think most would agree that the Weakerthans, Kathleen and Stars albums are below their respective career standards. Should come down to Black Mountain and Plants & Animals imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Your winner for this year's edition of the Mercury Prize are Elbow!I can't say that I saw that one coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 So Caribou's album Andorra won the Polaris. They must smoke a lot of crack in that jury room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 When will we learn that the favorites NEVER win either the Mercury or the Polaris? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottieking Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Boo! Cari-boo!An OK album but I like the Manitoba stuff way better.Plants and Animals. The People's Champ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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