Technics Mercury Music Prize

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Technics Mercury Music Prize - Shortlist 12 In this ILM thread I asked what are the possible contenders for the shortlist. Today Technics Mercury Music Prize Shortlist has been selected. The shortlist for this year's Technics Mercury Music Prize has just been announced in London. The £20,000 prize was won last year by Badly Drawn Boy's 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast'. The full shortlist is as follows: Basement Jaxx - 'Rooty'
Ed Harcourt - 'Here Be Monsters'
Elbow - 'Asleep In The Back'
Goldfrapp - 'Felt Mountain'
Gorillaz - 'Gorillaz'
PJ Harvey - 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea'
Radiohead - 'Amnesiac'
Super Furry Animals - 'Rings Around The World'
Susheela Raman - 'Salt Rain'
Tom McRae - 'Tom McRae'
Turin Brakes - 'The Optimist LP'
Zero 7 - 'Simple Things'
Time to laugh at the shortlist? Who is going to win? Who deserves to win out of the 12?

― DJ Martian, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Felt Mountain, love Amnesiac, and really want to hear Simple Things. Other than that, haven't heard/don't like anything else on the list. And PJ Harvey's Stories has good artist/bad album syndrome...
So I guess I'd say Amnesiac deserves to win, being one of my new favorite albums of all time and all...

― Melissa W, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

oops, just added to the other thread. oh well. i go for 'rooty', but really thats more down to the alternatives not being hugely appealing

― gareth, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Time to laugh I think. I predicted some of those, and unfortunately, they didn't surprise me. it's as safe as it's always been. I've not heard any of the albums, just some of the tracks from them and they are all pretty awful (which is why I didn't buy them). I'd give it to Susheela Raman since it's the one album that I don't know anyting about.

― Julio Desouza, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Channel 4 Teletext predicted that almost perfectly. Gorillaz will win for being innovative and incorporating different musical ideas into a strong theme.

― Greg, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Still haven't heard Goldfrapp but i'll put my money on them/her. Maybe Basement Jaxx, which would be silly since that album is rather patchy.

― Omar, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Patchy?" It was terrible.

― Melissa W, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Basement Jaxx album is NOT patchy, or rather no patchier than their first one. The only difference is that the less interesting tracks are scattered throughout the album rather than lumped together at the end in a block of doom.

I've only heard "Clint Eastwood", but based on that I will be RIPSHIT if Gorrilaz wins. (Mercurillaz?)

― Dan Perry, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm rooting for Gorillaz to win, because the Mercury Music Prize does seem to carry a curse with it and it would be nice to see Dame Onallbran's career jinxed.

Besides, the award is a bit of a joke anyway so why not give it to the joker in the deck?

― Nicole, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Man, you guys are a spoiled lot--have you even SEEN the Grammy's, Blockbuster Music Awards, the People's Award, and/or the PEOPLE's AWARD? Good lord, I'd have a heart attack if anyone of those bands makes it on there--well, maybe not Gorillaz or Jaxx, but SFA? That would be like a revolution!

― Mickey Black Eyes, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

rooty bit the fucking dust afaic, goldfrapp probably deserve it, amnesiac getting it would be overkill for a decent but not great album...otherwise, blaa

― Geoff, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I am so glad PJ was shortlisted because it is an amazing album.

― anthony, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

pj o0r beth orton. every damn time. turin brakes being nominated is astonishing for such a backward band, i'm not sure i've baught any new brit albums this year. i nominate the super furries or gorillaz.

― matthew james, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

If Gorillaz wins, the world dies.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ned, that sounds like the premise for a role-playing game!

― Dan Perry, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I *am* the dungeon master.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ned, no need to worry. But you can still be the dungeonmaster, if you like.

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Gorillaz withdraw? What a bunch of idiots. Nice publicity, I guess; shame they had to do it in such a cheesy way. I bet Radiohead are kicking themselves that they didn't get there first.

― John Davey, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Blurillaz are fundamentally cheesy, so of course they would go about things in a cheesy way. I wanted to them to ruin the world, so I'm kind of disappointed.

― Nicole, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Then dungeonmaster I am, whee. This Gorillaz move ranks right up there with Damon claiming he's a commie.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I vote we ignore Gorillaz withdrawl, award them the prize, then destroy the world.

― Dan Perry, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Does anyone happen to know what the fee is for entering an LP for consideration?

― Tim, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Kissing Simon Frith's bum, I'd guess.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Wasn't it said to be $250, or £250, or something like that, on the last thread?

― Josh, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Surely that's a price too high?

― Nicole, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Not talking about the 250, simon frith.

― Nicole, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't know how the Mercury is conferred -- televised, printed, or what have you -- but isn't the Gorillaz's withdrawl explainable mainly via the fact that if they won, they'd be forced to acknowledge their existence as real people? I'd say they had to do it -- winning would have exploded their whole concept / conceit.

― Nitsuh, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think it is around £125 or £150, this year 90 albums entered the award. If there was not an entrance fee how else would they go about selecting the 12? If it was free to enter the panel would have to sift through hundreds of albums.

I will be running my alternative version of Technics Mercury Music Prize on my weblog. Expect my 12 to be very different from the official TMMPrize.

Of the 12 selected I think Goldfrapp could well win.

There are some turkeys this year..Gorillaz an utter comedy rap band, the dull plodding psychedelic pop stew of SFA - anyone else find their vocalist style annoying?, the boring retro lo fi acoustic songs of Turin Brakes.

― DJ Martian, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I had never thought about bands having to pay to enter before... so why did Gorillaz bother? Do the record companies just enter all their bands automatically or did Radiohead get together one night, pool together £150 from the kitty and dream of glory?

― John Davey, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The record companies would normally pay. If any on their bands make it to the 12, it is worth stacks of free media publicity/ instore promotions - leading to a big upturn in sales.

― DJ Martian, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I go out of my way to avoid TMMP albums. I haven't heard any of the albums on the shortlist, though I do own 'Felt Mountain' but have yet to get round to listening to it. I bought it before it was nominated, before anyone thinks I'm insane.

― DG, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

They are all fine: else why would they have been shortlisted?

― mark s, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Goldfrapp album is excellent, DG, just go listen to it. Who cares who nominated it for what?

I don't see why Rooty couldn't win either. It's a good album.

― Josh, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like the Elbow album a bit but it does get tiresome with all that low moaning and high keening. There's at least 4 great songs on it, though.

― PhilT, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Have a good laugh at this Simon Frith, chairman of the judges, gives his verdict via The Independent.

How can anyone describe Turin Brakes as "Very exhilarating music." except Simon Frith !

― DJ Martian, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It's an even more boring list than I expected, almost a self-parody. Basement Jaxx or Radiohead (note how my prediction that Kid A would get there simply because it's been around longer and people are more familiar with it has been totally proved wrong) would be my choices, but that's mainly by default.

Momus once compared me to Simon Frith: frighteningly he meant it as a *compliment* ...

― Robin Carmody, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think Elbow or Ed Harcourt should win it. Kid A is far superior to Amnesiac in my opinion & should have been nominated. I quite like Turin Brakes as it goes!

Reckon it will go to Basement Jaxx or Radiohead.

― Jon, Tuesday, 24 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Rejoice! The destruction of Earth can proceed on schedule! Bring it on, MERCURILLAZ!

― Dan Perry, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think the Basement Jaxx, Elbow, Gorillaz and Radiohead albums are (very) good. I'm sure I will like the new SFA album. What I don't understand is the importance attached to the prize. Just because a corporate sponsor offers cash prize to whomever some anonymous jury thinks deserves it, doesn't mean anyone should care about said prize, yes? What does it all mean?

― JoB, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Do the bookies always get it wrong? I seem to remember Gomez/Badly Drawn Boy/Talvin Singh/Roni Size were all outsiders and the core of popular albums were always the favourites. On past form, I can't believe they'd give it to Radiohead/Gorillaz/SFA; Elbow or Ed Harcourt seem much more likely to me.

― John Davey, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Sorry JoB, that was meant to be a kind of answer to your question but I got sidetracked. I quite like the Mercury because it often makes popular a critics' choice that most people wouldn't have heard, as opposed to most other awards which just sell more copies of an already popular record.

I couldn't care less who wins and I don't think it has any big significance, but just highlighting the Tom McRae or Ed Harcourt records is making me think maybe I should know a bit more about them. You never know, I might even buy and like them!

― John Davey, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Do you think the real reason Gorillaz wanted to drop out of running is that Damon's hair plugs will not have healed in time for the awards? I think this may be a distinct possibility.

― Nicole, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What does it all mean?

TMMP is arranged with the official backing of BPI (the record label association) and BARD (the music retail association) to sell more albums to increase revenue with stacks of free media coverage and instore sales promotions for the 12 shortlist.

The winner will have even further media coverage and sales will rocket through the roof.

Why are the awards announced in late July? because August is one of slowest months for new releases/ album sales in the year - the shortlist is important for retailers.

― DJ Martian, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

If records do not sell the industry will collapse and we will be left wiv nothing BUT Damon's buttplug.

― mark s, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

GORRLIAZ WON'T WIN!

Check out this link for more info from NME. (God, I hate it when "reality" gimmicks are carried into press clippings.) (Unless this article is a gimmick itself.) (Damn British press.)

(For those too lazy to click - Gorillaz supposedly withdrew themselves from consideration for the Mercury Prize.)

― David Raposa, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

BLURLOOZAS!

― mark s, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Loozas, indeed - damn it, you do NOT quote a fucking animated character. Unless you're writing for a Disney digest or something. Augh.

BLOOZAS?

― David Raposa, Wednesday, 25 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think "Rooty"'s a superb album and I think it deserves to win more than anything I can remember being shorlisted for a few years.

― Tom, Thursday, 26 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Dave, didn't you check my link? The decision to drop out lies with their record label, not the band, and right now Parlaphone wants them in the running.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 26 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What, like I'm supposed to pay attention to the thread?

BLURWINNAZ!

People will bet on ANYTHING. There's (supposedly) betting happening on a NCAA-bracket-esque tournament involving SUPPORTING CHARACTERS FROM THE SIMPSONS. (Oh, sorry. A bit loud there.) Check this link for the details. And vote for Milhouse!

― David Raposa, Thursday, 26 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

With the obvious exceptions (which are themselves obvious) they're all worthy, aren't they? All overburdened with bloody politesse (the disease of contemporary music) including Susheela Raman, whose album I listened to on the Oxford Tube this evening. I'm afraid you already know what it would sound like, and you're absolutely right - I had to stick on "Foxbase Alpha" yet again, just to cheer myself up.

Oh God, what does it MATTER? (it's alright, everyone, I'm just howling to myself)

― Marcello Carlin, Friday, 27 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one month passes...

Just to let you know you can win a copy of Susheela Raman's album on our website at http://www0.bbc.co.uk/londonlive/entertainment/radio/radio_comp.shtml

― BBC's London Live 94.9fm, Wednesday, 5 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

SPAMMED BY THE BBC! Has Auntie sunk so low??

― Tom, Wednesday, 5 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

PJ Harvey won

― DJ Martian, Tuesday, 11 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

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