Mercury Noms 2011

[Herr Tubthumper]

Mercury Award nominees 2011: This is the start of a new sound in pop Telegraph Blogs

I agree 100% with the last paragraph about PJ Harvey.

Everything Everything is worthy as well.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I shall have to give PJ Harvey a listen, never really bothered before.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I shall have to give PJ Harvey a listen, never really bothered before.

I'm not overly familiar with her work to be honest. Of her solo work I have only properly listened to White Chalk and a long player she did a few years back with a bloke who wears a hat who I cannot remember the name of. But this one really did knock me over. I'd be interested to hear what you have to say.

 

[New Carpet?]

I'd be really pleased if Metronomy won, but I just can't see it happening.

I see that PJ Harvey's already a very short 7/4 favourite, but I think it's a very open field and maybe a shock outsider could win.

Not actually that impressed with this year's list myself, but I think it's mostly because the judges have gone with more conventional pop acts this time round.

 

[sten_super]

Not actually that impressed with this year's list myself, but I think it's mostly because the judges have gone with more conventional pop acts this time round.

This isn't meant as a specific dig at you, but this seems to be the attitude that a lot of people (including the judges) take towards the Mercury prize; that they have to give it to an outsider who hasn't received much public adulation. I must confess that there's a lot on that list that I haven't listened to (at least the whole album), but for me Adele's commercial success is a sign that she's managed to connect successfully with a massive audience, and isn't that part of what makes a 'best' album? She hasn't got a hope of winning it though.

 

[New Carpet?]

This isn't meant as a specific dig at you, but this seems to be the attitude that a lot of people (including the judges) take towards the Mercury prize; that they have to give it to an outsider who hasn't received much public adulation. I must confess that there's a lot on that list that I haven't listened to (at least the whole album), but for me Adele's commercial success is a sign that she's managed to connect successfully with a massive audience, and isn't that part of what makes a 'best' album? She hasn't got a hope of winning it though.

She's got a chance I think. Personally, I'm not a fan of 21 and despite it being a well-produced album with the expertise of Rick Rubin, I'm hoping Adele doesn't walk away with the award.

I'm just a bit disappointed with the list as a whole to be honest. A lot of very exciting albums that in other years may have well been considered have been overlooked in favour of far more "safer" options (such as past winners PJ Harvey and Elbow and chart-topping Adele and Tinie Tempah).

This award always used to look towards something innovative (Roni Size, Talvin Singh or Anthony & The Johnsons, for example), but now it's almost evolving into a Brit.

As for the judges favouring outsiders winning, I'm not so sure they do. It depends on what you class as an outsider - an album that's had limited commercial success or what the bookies think.

Either way, if we're talking artists who haven't been successful, both Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys won it on the back of their best-selling debut albums in recent years and as for betwise, the last two years have seen the favourites come out on top.

 

[Braders]

Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
Adele - 21
Katy B - On A Mission
Metronomy - The English Riviera
Everything Everything - Man Alive
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine
Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy
James Blake - James Blake
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys!
Gwilym Simcock - Good Days at Schloss Elmau

ashamed to say I only own THREE of those , may have to partake in the rest

 

[CheeseRolls]

This isn't meant as a specific dig at you, but this seems to be the attitude that a lot of people (including the judges) take towards the Mercury prize; that they have to give it to an outsider who hasn't received much public adulation. I must confess that there's a lot on that list that I haven't listened to (at least the whole album), but for me Adele's commercial success is a sign that she's managed to connect successfully with a massive audience, and isn't that part of what makes a 'best' album? She hasn't got a hope of winning it though.

She just needs to record a jazz album and she will walk away with it, I reckon. She has a cracking voice but I do feel it is wasted singing soul.

 

[Marmaduke]

I said to my housemate after I bought it that PJ Harvey's album was a 'Mercury winner'. I very much doubt that Adele will win.

Everything Everything and James Blake as dark horses.

 

[The Sock of Poskett]

Just listening to Metronomy on we7 as it happens. Quite like 'em but can't somehow see them winning.

 

[Washboard Didgets]

I'd be happy for Metronomy or Ghostpoet to win it. If it has to be someone a bit more well known then James Blake.

Don't think Adele should get it, she's on her second album and too well known for the Mercury.

 

[Marmaduke]

PJ Harvey would be the first person to win it twice... I think

 

[rcf0712]

hmmm, I've burned the PJ Harvey one from the libray, it's ok but she's not a favourite of mine. As for the rest I've heard of Elbow but none of the rest so other than Polly it doesn't look like a panel with much appeal outside of the UK to me.

 

[big nuts]

Shocked wild beasts have not been nominated. I've listened to six of the nominees and countless other albums from the past twelve months and none come to close to this superb album.

Out of the nominees would like metronomy to win, but PJ Harvey seems most likely.

 

[Pantani]

PJ Harvey all the way for me. I absolutely love that album. If not I would like Metronomy to win, as I am friends with the keyboard player (shameless name dropping).

James Blake can do one though. When he performed at Komedia I was led to believe he was some sort of genre busting superstar. It turns out that he was just turning out rather dull tunes with an excess of bass.

 

[Albumen]

Elbow? Haha. Out of that lot I'd have to say PJ. Metronomy seem nice people and despite the weaker album I absolutely loved the single so I wouldn't mind them winning either. I still fail to understand the importance of this award as the shortlist is pretty poor every year.

 

[keaton]

Out of that lot the best i've heard is PJ Harvey, I imagine she or Adele will win it.

Gruff Rhys, Arctic Monkeys or Vaccines should be on there.

Elbow are Coldplay for Guardian Readers, Tinie Tempah makes music for 14-year-old girls

 

[sten_super]

Elbow are Coldplay for Guardian Readers, Tinie Tempah makes music for 14-year-old girls

And what's wrong with that? The award is for best album; it doesn't have to conform to the expectations of any one specific group of listeners.

Gruff Rhys, Arctic Monkeys or Vaccines should be on there.

I've heard the Arctic Monkeys album and I own the Vaccines one, and I honestly think both are very average. I really don't get the the fuss about the Vaccines.

I'd certainly be happy with either PJ Harvey or Adele winning it.

 

[keaton]

And what's wrong with that? The award is for best album; it doesn't have to conform to the expectations of any one specific group of listeners.

I didn't say there was, there just not my cup of tea.

I don't think the Vaccines are as amazing as people make out, but I find most of the list all a bit meh

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I don't think the Vaccines are as amazing as people make out, but I find most of the list all a bit meh

I can see what the fuss is about, their album is chocca with catchy well crafted 3 minute singles. But this is the issue for me, it's immediate and catchy but offers no depth or longevity. I loved it, then tired of it almost in a single day. I guess it appeals to the Internet iTunes attention deficit generation for these very reasons. I doubt you'll hear much more from them after this album.