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

Bands for 2008 [Part 1]

This post should truely be 'Band I'm Looking Forward To Hearing New Stuff From' or 'Bands That I Hope Do Well This Year.' 

Ok, so not 'Tips For 2008' I don't honestly know how 'big' any of these bands will get this year, but here are some bands that I haven't seen mentioned much that have some hot stuff planned for this year:

PORTUGAL THE MAN

http://www.myspace.com/portugaltheman

Portugal The Man come from Alaska, but seem to spend a lot of time in the North West coast of the US. They released an album last year called Church Mouth which is ace, rocking organ and laidback blues punk... I guess. 

They're going into the studio later this month to start working on the follow-up, which you'd have to expect to be out later in the year. They're coming over to Europe to tour in February as well, but bypassing the UK unfortunately

SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU, BORIS YELTSIN

http://www.myspace.com/someonestilllovesyouborisyeltsin

This band were the 'talk' of the blogs when I was in America a year and a bit ago with their debut album/mini-album, Broom. They spent the end of last year holed up in 'Will's Aunts House' and the album should be out in March they say

NEON NEON

http://www.myspace.com/neonx2

Something I've been looking forward to since I heard Boom Bip & Gruff Rhys collaborate on "Do's & Don'ts" two or three years ago - they now have an album and a fully fledged project on the go. 

The album is called Stainless Style and is out in March worldwide

Ok, so that's my first little blast, I hope to add some more bands I like soon and some more general posts. Apologies for the lack of MP3 links - give me some time and I may figure it out! Until then, enjoy Rupert Murdoch's portal to alternative music

Soundtrack to this post: Portugal The Man / Phospherescent / CocoRosie