6 Music - Music News

The bands on the shortlist for the 19^th annual awards were announced today (July 20) at a ceremony hosted by Lauren Laverne at The Hospital Club in London.

As expected the list of twelve artists included some of the most successful albums of the past twelve months including The XX and their debut XX, Mumford And Sons’ Sigh No More and Only Revolutions by Biffy Clyro.

One familiar name on the list was Dizzee Rascal who’s fourth album Tongue N Cheek has earned him his third nomination. Dizzee won the Mercury Prize in 2003 for his debut Boy In Da corner and was also nominated in 2007 for Maths + English.

Critically acclaimed releases from former Villagers, Wild Beasts and Foals are also featured.

Manchester’s I Am Kloot’s ten year career has been rewarded, as their fifth album ‘Sky At Night’ (produced by Guy Garvey and Craig Potter from 2008 Mercury winners Elbow) received a nomination as well.

It’s traditional that the Mercury nominations include a few surprises and lesser known acts, this year however only the inclusion of piano-led jazz outfit the Kit Downes Trio prompted a few puzzled expressions at the announcement.

Last year London-born, hip-hop newcomer Speech Debelle won the award for her debut Speech Therapy. However despite the usual media coverage, the album failed to make an impact on the charts, with Music Week claiming it sold fewer than 13,000 copies.

Traditionally though, winners such as Elbow, Antony & The Johnsons and Talvin Singh have enjoyed a massive boost in sales, and in recent years even the nominees can expect their albums to re-enter the Top 40 charts.

The overall winner of the 2010 Prize will be decided and announced at an awards show on Tuesday September 7.

The full list of nominees is:

Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions
Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea
Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N' Cheek
Kit Downes Trio - Golden
Foals - Total Life Forever
I Am Kloot - Sky At Night
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
Mumford And Sons - Sigh No More
Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation
Villagers - Becoming A Jackal
Wild Beasts - Two Dancers
The XX - XX