The shortlist for the 2010 Mercury Prize has been announced today. The Mercury Prize is given each year to the “Best British Album” and is considered the most prestigious prize for British musical acts. Past winners include Arctic Monkeys, PJ Harvey and Portishead, but the judges also like to pull out surprises such as last year’s winner Speech Debelle and Antony and the Johnsons who were more or less unknown before their 2005 victory.
According to the bookies this year’s favourites are The XX and Dizzee Rascal, closely followed by Paul Weller whose nomination is something of a surprise. The full list of nominees is below.
Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea
Dizzee Rascal – Tongue N Cheek
Foals – Total Life Forever
I Am Kloot – Sky At Night
Kit Downes Trio – Golden
Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation
Villagers – Becoming A Jackal
Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
The XX – XX
The final ceremony when the winner is announced is on September 7th.
