2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize

quote:

Any thoughts?

How about, all these "prizes" be they music, film, book, whatever are meaningless, self-congratulatory, back-slapping events that are solely for the purpose of pushing "product"?

steve

The usual mix of Who? Why? What about..?

Couple of good noms IMO.


Cheers Karl

Hello all,

I've been away from the forum for a while, but thought it was about time I made another comeback, so here goes:

Bat For Lashes: Really expressive voice, nice feel, good but not as good as the first album, which perhaps should have won. Worth it for Daniel alone.

Florence and the Machine: I hope Kate Bush is flattered. Only heard this once or twice, but it's awful, isn't it?

Friendly Fires: Played this a lot when it came out, one of those records that's somehow familiar from the first play - the bass player is good. Good tunes, Lovesick and Skeleton Boy are great.

Glasvegas: No thanks.

Kasabian: Still just a hair band for me. Needs more Tangerine Dream going on, less Gallagher brothers. Good single, didn't buy the album as the last one was shocking. Much better live.

La Roux: Acceptable in the 80's and very now. Nothing new, but great pop, with a great look. Throw in a Skream remix and what's not to like. Colourless Colour and I'm Not Your Toy are really good. I'm at least ten years too old for this sort of thing, obviously.

Led Bib: Who's that then?

Lisa Hannigan: Some lovely songs, and her voice is breathtaking. Not really my thing, but the Naim forum choice, for sure. Can't win though.

Speech Debelle: Standard fare Mercury nomination. Only seen twenty seconds of this on telly one time.

Sweet Billy Pilgrim: Not heard it.

The Horrors: I can see the appeal, but Loveless and Psychocandy are much, much better albums, aren't they?

The Invisible: Some nice ideas, but again, it can't win. I had to think hard to remember what this was, so it couldn't have made much of an impression.

Of course, I could suggest a few more records that might be on my shortlist, but I won't, so the winner for me has to be...

La Roux.

I don't even own this record, but it's excellent. I heard Quicksand on a Kitsune compilation a while ago and thought it would be huge, the remixes are top notch, and there's at least a couple more number ones to come from this album. Judging by the number of girls in London with crazy haircuts this summer, it's already massive.

CC (1000 not out)

CC

Sweet Billy Pilgrim can be sampled here, worth the visit I would say.

Denis

quote:

Originally posted by Lark:
The usual mix of Who? Why? What about..?
Cheers Karl

I was actually pleased that I had heard of most of them!

Gordon

Chief Chirpa, an interesting summary.

Yeah thanks for that CC. Not as varied as some years IMO and nothing that ultimately stands out for me.

i like to think it would be too easy for BFL, Florence or La Roux to win. Though one probably will.

I'd like to see Speech Debelle win it. I am not sure why, but I find it a really compelling listen. Nothing trendy about it. Just like Elbow in that sense...plus a Black artist hasn't won it since Ms Dynamite (what were they thinking!) from memory...

I'd put a tenner on it. But then again I'd put a tenner on one of any of the 80s triplets. All of them write good pop songs.

Does anyone else find Ellie Jackson from La Roux a bit annoying? possible due to marketing overkill, granted.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief Chirpa:

Led Bib: Who's that then?

A loud and noisy jazz group formed a few years back at Middlesex Uni. This is their 4th album.

"Led Bib’s fourth album builds on the merits of their previous releases and of their dynamic live performances. The quintet is in the tradition of bands that owe as much to rock music as to jazz. Bursting with controlled power, Sensible Shoes should bring them the international recognition they deserve.
When they let rip with their combination of twin alto saxophones, keyboards, bass and drums, Led Bib pack a formidable punch. The strength of this album is that they do not constantly batter the listener. Contrasting their power with more reflective interludes makes that punch more potent when it arrives."

Oh good more Jazz , is there no end to it?

quote:

Originally posted by DenisA:
CC

Sweet Billy Pilgrim can be sampled here, worth the visit I would say.
Denis

I would encourage listening to SBP for anyone who likes well constructed songs with harmonies to pin back yer lugoles. Lontano and myself are in a camp of two so far

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Drake:...plus a Black artist hasn't won it since Ms Dynamite (what were they thinking!) from memory...

.

Ms Dynamite album was great for it's time especially the song about domestic violence

Diccus

I heard Sweet Billy P still works as a builder. He was installing a bathroom when he found out the news. Think it would be great if he won!

SBP and playing with Portico Quartet (last year's token jazz nomination) in Vic , Bristol (gorgeous venue) soon - looking forward to that.

Sorry Diccus...not feelin it. If it brings you joy, then great, but not for me. IMHO Dynamite's brother Akala got all the talent. The same grimey narrative but without the early-noughties Garage bandwagon in tow.

Listening to Sweet Billy Pilgrim now - after a slow start, it's just kind of crept up on me. Not sure yet - although not much like it, it somehow reminds me of Four Tet with words.

Simon, re your earlier comment, your memory's going... "Oiiiii! Fix Up, Look Sharp" - Dizzee won after Ms Dynamite, of course.

you are correct (sorry) - the year after. now that was an original album! (Soweto should have won it that year!!!! Still been 7 odd years tho....food for thought.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Drake:

I'd like to see Speech Debelle win it. I am not sure why, but I find it a really compelling listen. Nothing trendy about it. Just like Elbow in that sense...plus a Black artist hasn't won it since Ms Dynamite (what were they thinking!) from memory...

I'd put a tenner on it.

Good call, Simon.

I dunno, these record label bosses and their insider information!

na, just good taste

Especially for Simon, here is Sweet Billy Pilgrim's Shed Please note the hi-tech soundproofing on the walls!

finally got around to iplayering the whole ceremony. lept out of my seat with excitement to see soweto playing sax for speech! awesome. ironic i'd already mentioned him on this thread.

seeing sweet billy and portico at old vic in bristol in october. should be a good un!

cor! look at those egg boxes! there is no way in hell they recorded the drums in there! they must have gone to a proper studio. amazing job tho! thanks Denis!

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Drake:
seeing sweet billy and portico at old vic in bristol in october. should be a good un!

Lontano and myself are Looking forward to seeing them @ Koko in Camden in november.

I think the egg boxes are worth a try in the naim listening room