Mercury Nominees.

I haven't heard them all yet but I would go for 'Bat For Lashes'.

Hi Chris,

A song by "Sweet Billy Pilgrim"  has just been posted Eclectic Choice.  Amazed that 8 of the 12 artists  have been posted there or on  Give it an 'Earing. 'Ere. .  I have heard them all...those not liste were inide/ indie rocjk bands....and I wasn't impressed.... but it's still an extremely difficult choice between them all. 

Personal preference I'd go with Bat For Lashes....

Mara,

I've worked through them all now too.  I'm still with Bat For Lashes as my favourite but Florence And The Machine has a good chance.  I think it's a poor year or perhaps it seems so because last year was such a good one.  Led Bib is interesting but I wouldn't want to listen to it twice and Speech Debelle was average.  Compared to The Portico Quartet, Laura Marling and Estelle of last year and they don't look so good.  I thought that based on the remainder of the selection, the judges seemed to want to give it to Elbow again or at least a band that sounds the same.

Hi Chris,

I'm tempted to say that Sweet Billy Pilgrim might just take it... Elbow were rank outsiders last year...If it's one of the lesser publicised artists  I'd go for " Sweet Billy Pilgrim" ....  listening to their album on Spotify "Twice Born Men" and it's wide ranging stylistically...gets better and better with hearing Mara.

Hi Chris,

It's going to be close... Glasvegas seems to mentioned frequently..and i wouldn't be sorry...

For those on Spotify  I've made a list.... all the ALBUMS ARE THEIR EXCEPT LISA HANNIGAN and LED BIB 's are substuituted....MERCURY 2009    Mara

Hi Chris,

Mercury podcast from Guardian music weekly  haven#t had a chance to lsten yet..Mara

Hi Chris

regained my speach sufficiently to say... " No Comment " to the outcome...

On the one hand I was pleased that the winner wasn't an Elbow clone but on the other, Dave is right; I don't think it's the beginning of a career.  It was far from being the best album last year.

My album of the last twelve months has probably been Phoenix's 'Lisztomania'.

Hi Dave, Chris, all

Had tme to relisten to the album.  I find it very "samey".  Musically I  love Roddy Smith/Roots Manuva and most critics draw a comparison.... but this album I think suffers from being to "nice" musically and the lyrics are impressive but for me the calm delivery loses it.  I think it's rap attempting to invade the older generations middle class living room in a jazzy  disguise... and if it succeeds I'll be pleased for her...this album will succeed..the future look for change of direction.. Mara