Mercury's Recap

I'm actually really shocked the Portishead & Foals album didn't get nominated, I thought the Portishead was a classic 'Mercury' album. I'm also surprised Duffy didn't get in on the pop tip, and I think it's a real shame the Mystery Jets album isn't getting the recognition.

Thinking about it, I am disappointed the Burial album was entered as it doesn't seem to to fit the way he operates, but I suppose if you were going to do anything, this is probably it. Depending on whether the bookies have twigged how fashionable it is, it could well be worth a flutter!! (edit: I've since checked and he's favourite!)

I actually think it's a decent list with the mass of British albums over the last year, and I think Neon, BSP, Laura Marling and even Elbow aren't the fashionable choicea. The nods to Jazz / Folk are a little trite with the Plant inclusion, but I guess Seb Rochefort didn't make an album this year

Soundtrack to this post: The Boss

Mercury Music Prize

I'm a bit annoyed I forgot when the Mercury Music Nominations were announced, as I'm still away and I quite fancied a flutter on Portishead as early as possible.

Instead here's a desperate prediction I posted on another forum, just to get my oar in before the announcement... again, tidy up when I get home.

Certaintie

Duffy
Adele
Kate Nash
Mystery jets
Portishead
Foals
Radiohead
Last Shadow Puppets
Ting Tings


Potential curve balls:

Burial
Jamie Lidell
Neon Neon (probably not critically acclaimed enough)
Robert Wyatt


Others with potential:
Hot Chip
Guillemots
MIA
Coldplay
Elbow


I reckon Portishead to win, if not Radiohead. I think the extraneous circumstances around those two records will pip the post

There's a lot of talk about them, but I kind of hope Burial hasn't entered, I think it'd be kind of dissapointed if he had as I think it'll throw up a few awkward questions he obviously doesn't want to deal with

It's a funny one, with it being all about UK artists, it kind of makes you realise how much 'ahead' the US is in commercial interesting music. You'd have to think Fleet Foxes, MGMT, Vampire Weekend and Hercules & Love Affair would've been good for the money if the shoe was on the other foot

Anyway, back to the Sun...

Soundtrack to this post: Stars

English People Abroad...

...destroying my faith in humanity... one by one

Posting from Summercase Festival, Barcelona with the best and the worst. Will clean up and recap upon returning home!

Soundtrack to this post: The Fucking Kooks and drunk Cockneys on poppers

Pennines

I'm a liar, a thief and a blagard obviously.

I think (well I know I kind of DO) beat myself about posting on here if there's something more important I should be doing. Which there always is one way or another

Anyway, mincing around with my Shuffle on, I keep getting blasted by a band called PENNINES who I must declare as pretty brilliant. 

They've really got that old school Kinsella style emo down to a delicate tee. If you ask me. I've missed them twice in Leeds through no fault of my own, which is a real shame.

They have two tracks for download which you can get from MySpace or Last.FM - I urge you to do so:

Pennines Myspace

Pennines Last.FM

I think they're releasing a single on the fanstastic Big Scary Monsters label in the autumn. Said label have a very entertaining blog here. Lokomotiv TRAiNS are appearing in their football competition soon!

Soundtrack to this post: Pennines (doi)