The nominations for this year's prestigious Mercury Prize have been announced, with rock bands Coldplay and Radiohead leading the charge. Both groups have previously been nominated for the award, but neither has managed to take the gong home.
The honour, which is considered Britain's most important musical prize, is given each year for the most accomplished album of the previous 12 months. And this year England's top rockers will be battling it out with a host of fresh faces, as eight of the 12 nominees are newcomers.
While Radiohead and Coldplay are considered the favourites, other contenders include Martina Topley-Bird, who used to sing with Tricky, and rising garage star Dizzee Rascal. "Most of these debut albums are astonishingly assured – you don't think you are listening to first albums," said Simon Frith, who is chairing the panel of judges. "Virtually every act had a clear sense of the music they wanted to make and just made it."
Last year the gong, which comes with a cash prize of £20,000, went to Ms Dynamite for her debut record A Little Deeper.
Prizegiving fever is also gripping music fans in the Spanish-speaking world, meanwhile, as the Latin Grammy nominations were announced in Miami. Spanish star David Bisbal is in the running for best new artist and best male album, though he is facing some stiff competition in the latter category, as Enrique Iglesias has also been nominated.
Colombian starlet Shakira is contending best rock song, while Thalia's self-named debut is up for best female album. Las Ketchup, who scored a number one hit with their charmingly incomprehensible Las Ketchup Song, are contesting best pop album.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
