Mercury Prize Nominations

There were some surprises, some notable absences and a hat trick for a young Sheffield lad when the shortlist of twelve nominees for the Nationwide Mercury Prize was announced earlier this morning in Covent Garden,

London. Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ was there, as were Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for their collaboration ‘Raising Sand’.

Alex Turner, previously nominated twice with his band Arctic Monkeys, gained his third nomination for his joint effort with Miles Kane of The Rascals in The Last Shadow Puppets. Young bright things Adele, Estelle and Laura Marling were also nominated.  There was, however, no nod to current pop chart sensation Duffy, nor the return of Coldplay.  However, veterans Elbow and British Sea Power were acknowledged in a shortlist that once again highlights the cream of the crop in British musical talent.

The 2008 Nationwide Mercury Prize shortlist is:

Adele – ’19′
British Sea Power – ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’
Burial – ‘Untrue’
Elbow – ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’
Estelle – ‘Shine’
The Last Shadow Puppets – ‘The Age Of The Understatement’
Laura Marling – ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’
Neon Neon – ‘Stainless Style’
Portico Quartet – ‘Knee-Deep In The North Sea’
Robert Plant And Alison Krauss – ‘Raising Sand’
Radiohead – ‘In Rainbows’
Rachel Unthank And The Winterset – ‘The Bairns’