Mercury Prize

Great News etc,...
However, does it really matter ? (feel free to say yay or nay !)

I think the exposure itself will be great and may highlight the quality of the album to others,
while i'm not entirley sure of the merit awarded to some in the past.

I've always seen the mercury as an up and coming award, as brilliant it is that they are being recognised, hang on... As brilliant as it is the the tallent of 5 extraordinary guys is being recognised, i think the prize would be better off going to a newer band.
Just not adele.

I don't really understand what its about, great if it increases exposure and lets people hear the different bands or musicians they might not come across, what does it mean if you win ? does it mean say Rachel Unthank and the Winter set or Elbow are " better" than the others, or worse if they lose.
Im not a fan of competitive music setting one against the other Arctic Monkeys,Richard Hawley, Elbow, Ronni Size, or Girls Aloud ,love em or hate em its all music.
If Elbow win or lose Im quite sure it won't alter mine or anyone elses opinion of thier music.
God I sound a right misery guts, its good to be aknowledged especially some one who really does deserve it for a record as good as SSK

The only thing it does is give them more exposure, really. It's good to know that other people also believe that they produced and recorded one of the better albums of the year. They've been nominated before and judging by a NME quote Guy said in reaction to the nomination, they're content with only being nominated. Although, I thought they should have won back in 2001, a win would be fantastic but it's not needed and as it was said before, a newer band should win.

Great news indeed and a second nomination has been long overdue. Surely it can only be a good thing?

It'll be good exposure but I find the decisions of the Mercury prize panel somewhat baffling considering some of the albums that have won (or not) in the past.

I don't think Elbow or Radiohead have a chance despite multiple nominations (Radiohead in particular) in the past.

And anything other than Adele......please!!!

The exposure would definitely be a good thing, especially with it being the second nomination. Even more acclaim, some extra sales and new fans discovering the earlier work wouldn't hurt, surely?

Following on from what's already been said, I find the criteria used to determine Mercury winners to be a bit of a Curate's Egg: Arctic Monkeys vs. Roni Size for instance. As for this year's winner, I'd bet a pound on Alex Turner's project taking it - and not just so he can trot out that "Call the police, Elbow & Radiohead's just been robbed" line again.

mrswoman wrote:

The exposure would definitely be a good thing, especially with it being the second nomination. Even more acclaim, some extra sales and new fans discovering the earlier work wouldn't hurt, surely?

Following on from what's already been said, I find the criteria used to determine Mercury winners to be a bit of a Curate's Egg: Arctic Monkeys vs. Roni Size for instance. As for this year's winner, I'd bet a pound on Alex Turner's project taking it - and not just so he can trot out that "Call the police, Elbow & Radiohead's just been robbed" line again.

I had that very same thought, that said Alex Turner 's thing is some record, Im not too keen on the monkeys but really enjoyed the Shadow puppets

Witout Alex Turner where would the LSP be?? I dont like the Arctic Monkeys for the fact they go big quick and any random seems to have them as there favourite band, in my eyes he cant even sing well. Rant over!!! Laura Marling to win for me, if not Elbow.

I hope The Seldom Seen Kid wins this, it would really be the glistening cherry on top of what's been one delicious cake of a year for Elbow.

oh they have to win!! better than all the others (just - i absolutely adore in rainbows)

Aye, In Rainbows is deserving of it. But Radiohead have had so much recognition for their brilliant music... it's about time Elbow had the same.

jonny. once again youre spot on

elbow deserve some credibility for their masterpiece (SSK) and what better credibility... the best british album of the year for innovation and new sort of... stuff!

Good Luck to the boys tonight !!!

if the mercury prize is about innovation... then surely ssk should win... produced ENTIRELY by the band...




IF not, then in rainbows for me... definately innovation...

Channel 4 evening news was just on with a feature on the Awards tonight about celebrating 'the album' , and the health of the music industry.

Guy was on the news with Pete being interviewed about their views on the album format again, with a bit of Grounds for Divorce video and Estelle, another nominee was on, saying she had withdrawn her high charting single from itunes so that people who liked the song on the radio would go and buy her whole CD to hear it and the rest of her songs.
They all came over well on the national news

Guy interviewed on radio2 Radcliffe and Maconie right now. Apparantly they changed their choice of number for tonights award show and did Tower Crane Driver, described as like "Elgar on acid" by Robert Plant! Here's the TV programme now. Good luck chaps!

(edit) Tower Crane Driver on radio 2 now. Fantastic version!

We won, get in there boys !!!!!!!

Well done elbow! (and ChrissyBoy for getting in first with the news!)

Can't believe it, just watchin Guy's humble appreciation.

Incredibly deserved, and i'm sure a few hangovers tomorrow.

Sit back and appreciate all the stuff we love, cause there will be a few others sitting up and taking notice now !

Well, who'd have thought it...

Get in!!! They've only gone and done it! Pete looks like a little kid on Christmas morning! Fantastic! They all look so happy, I like to see that, hate that Oasis style arrogance when someone achieves their dreams.

Nice win lads.

I'm glad i didn't stick a bet on, cause i'm so unlucky they would have lost !
Heard Guy earlier on some interview suggesting someone they know stuck £5k on !

Fantastic Im well chuffed