This year's list of Mercury Prize nominees has been announced.
The well-respected British music prize has again chosen a twelve-album selection that covers underground cult hits and multi-platinum sellers.As in previous years, the shortlist includes many debuts, including Jamie T's hit album 'Panic Prevention', Klaxons hyped nu-rave effort 'Myths Of The Near Future', 'Hats Off To The Buskers' from Scottish scamps The View, the adventurous 'Fur And Gold' from Bat For Lashes, 'The End Of History' from gnomish Irish singer Fionn Regan, as well as albums from the lesser known Basquiat Strings, New Young Pony Club and Maps.
The best bet looks to be Amy Winehouse's second album 'Back To Black', which was a commercial and critical smash. Also, the only other serious contenders Dizzee Rascal and Arctic Monkeys have history against them. No artist has ever won the prize twice in its fifteen year history. But occasionally the Mercury Prize throws a curveball, honouring the unlikely Antony & The Johnsons in 2005 and Talvin Singh in 1999.
The award will be announced during a ceremony in London in September.
The full list is follows:
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English
Jamie T - Panic Prevention
Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
The View - Hats Off To The Buskers
Bat For Lashes - Fur And Gold
Fionn Regan - The End Of History
The Young Knives - Voices Of Animals And Men
Basquiat Strings - Basquiat Strings
New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom
Maps - We Can Create
