If there's one date that Apple fans circle, it's the World Wide Developer's Conference Keynote. This presentation, often given by Steve Jobs, highlights the new things that Apple will be introducing over the next few months. Most of the times there's things that everyone expects, and then a couple of "I did not see that coming" moments. Everyone leaves excited and ready to get their hands on whatever was being talked about.
If there's one date that Anglophile Indie Rock fans circle, it's the announcement of the shortlist for the Mercury Prize. This presentation, often given by Jools Holland, highlights the best new albums released in the UK over the last few months. Most of the times there's things that everyone expects, and then a couple of "I did not see that coming" moments. Everyone leaves excited and ready to get their hands on whatever was being talked about.
I try to follow UK music as closely as possible, and I'm often still surprised by who makes the Mercury shortlist. I won't lie to you, some of the best acts I've found in the past few years (Burial, The Streets, Polar Bear, The Go! Team, Bloc Party) have been as much for their Mercury Prize nonimations as any other writings or radio play. And most of the times, I get the winners even when they never reach their potential afterwards (as Gomez has been unfairly accused of) or when I don't like the band at all (Anthony and the Johnsons: I'm sorry but our tastes don't mesh at all).
So today I ran into work, did my conference call with my Moscow office, and then checked out the nominations. They are:
- Florence and the Machine – Lungs
- Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
- Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
- La Roux – La Roux
- Glasvegas – Glasvegas
- Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
- Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
- The Horrors – Primary Colours
- Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
- The Invisible – The Invisible
- Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
- Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men
I think that Bat for Lashes was a lock to get a nomination, and Friendly Fires, Glasvegas, and Florence and the Machine had been tipped since the last prize was won. In there there is hip hop (Speech Bebelle), art rock (The Invisible), and folk (Sweet Billy Pilgrim).
Do I know a lot of these acts? Not really. I think I'm split about 50/50 between who I'm familar with and who I'm not, which is normally how the Mercury Shortlist pans out. But I know I'll leave excited and ready to get my hands on whatever was being talked about.
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