Who Should Win the Mercury Prize?

By: Charbarred | in: Music |

Amy Winehouse

The nominees for the Mercury Prize were announced last week. As Rusty would say, huh?
Well, The Mercury Prize is chosen once a year by a panel of esteemed music industry types and journalists to award the best in British Music. Think ‘The Weakest Link’ but with bands. One act wins the prize while the others go home empty handed (supposedly proud to be shortlisted in the first place).
It’s been an interesting year for the British music industry. While many 80’s tribute acts are being signed left and right, some acts really shone through.

Here’s my take on the nominated albums:

Dizzee Rascal – Maths & English
The “Anti Rapper” stepped it up a notch this year. He’s already won one for his previous album, but his current outing is just as fresh and deserves a shot at the £20,000 prize.

Dizzee Rascal - Wanna Be

Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare
It was a happy moment when these guys took the prize last year. Unlike Dizzee Rascal, Arctic Monkeys didn’t deliver on last year’s promise. Sure, ‘Favorite Worst Nightmare’ is a rocking album, but it feels a little bit like songs that didn’t make their first album with a better production. It could’ve been nicer if they spent a bit more time coming up with something new.

Arctic Monkeys – Brianstorm

Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
I was ready to slate Winehouse, mainly because at first her sound was very Elevator Music with a more fashionable attire. Listening to her latest offering though, I’m really beginning to like it.

klaxons

Klaxons – Myths of The Near Future
For a long while Klaxons were the great British hope. Their anarchic rave-style shows and crazy music really promised to make things interesting. They actually delivered more than promised by the time their records hit the shelves. Sure, the first proper video sounded (and looked) a bit like Duran Duran, but all in all, ‘Myths of the Near Future’ is a great listen.

Klaxons - Golden Skan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiq_0vEDAbE

The Young Knives – Voices of Animals and Men
This year I think the Mercury Prize committee should give a special prize to the judge who manages to listen to ‘Voices of Animals and Men’ from start to finish without breaking into fits of rage. It’s innovative, it’s original, it’s exciting, but it’s so damn annoying after a couple of songs. I once fell asleep in front of the TV while their videos were on and woke in complete panic.

New Young Pony Club – Fantastic Playroom
The British CSS, is actually quite amusing. It’s a very charming album, but having lived through the 80’s once already, there’s nothing new here for me.

The View

The View – Hats Off To the Buskers
Remember the first band you had in high school? Remember when song writing meant being able to play 4 chords in concession without losing the tempo? Remember when talent didn’t matter at all as long as the girls liked it? Give me a break!

Bat for Lashes – Fur and Gold
This is where it starts getting good. Bjorky kind of vocals, very interesting instrumentation. Extremely enjoyable to listen to with headphones. One of those albums that really grows on you.

Bat for Lashes – Hose & I

Maps

Maps – We Can Create
I never really heard of this band prior to their nomination. This is quite an exciting album with good solid song writing and great backing vocals. It recalls Ride in a way but with more of an electronic feel.

Jamie T – Panic Prevention
I previously wrote about Jamie T and I still think it’s a great album. Since then the UK market has become inebriated with white rappers. Some are good, but most are awful. It’s nice to see that he’s the only one who got the Mercury Prize nod.

Fionn Reagan

Fionn Reagan – The End of History
Reagan is a song writer’s song writer. He has a great way with composition and I love hearing him. The album does get kind of same-ish after a while, and he definitely could benefit from winning the money and putting it towards a better production for his next album.
Basquiat Strings – Basquiat Strings With Seb Rochford
The token Jazz/World Music nomination. They probably won’t win it, but that’s what I’m actually listening to in the background while writing this. Very interesting.

Fionn Reagan - Put a Penny in the Slot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7wyui6mzs

Bottom line: Bat for Lashes – good. Maps – awesome. Fionn Reagan - Flawed but great. It’s a tough call, but I would like to see Reagan become a bit richer and dazzle us with an exciting second album. I’ll be happy to see most of them get it as long as it’s not The View.

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Posted on July 28, 2007

Comments

5 Responses to “Who Should Win the Mercury Prize?”

Kendall on July 28th, 2007 3:11 pm

I think Amy Winehouse will win. I WANT Klaxons to win though.

Tibi Puiu on July 29th, 2007 12:24 am

Klaxons have a really great debut album, so has Jamie T. Last winners however Arctic Monkeys, i think, will take take it back home this year as well. Btw you should all check the new album from the The New Poney Club, it’s brilliant, won’t be surprised if they win

Dizzee Rascal on July 29th, 2007 8:09 am

I am glad to hear that Dizzee Rascal is a first!

Rach on July 29th, 2007 10:03 am

I am so glad that Bat For Lashes is on the list! Her voice is like honey and her songwriting impeccable.

mozzer on July 31st, 2007 11:29 am

Winehouse will win. I loved her latest album, btw. Too bad she appears to be drinking and starving herself to oblivion.