This year's prestigious Barclaycard Mercury Prize is eschewing big names when it comes to shortlisting 2014's best albums from the UK, with former Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn sharing space with newcomers and relatively obscure artists such as Fka twigs, Royal Blood, Bombay Bicycle Club, Nick Mulvey, and others. “This year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist confirms that these are fascinating times for UK music”, says Simon Frith, Chair of Judges. “There are seven outstanding debut albums here, and five records by more established artists, all pursuing exciting new directions. What most impressed the judges was the inventive passion with which musicians explore music and emotional possibilities, refusing to be pinned down by rules or genre.” The overall winner of the year will be revealed at the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show at the Roundhouse in London on Wednesday, October 29. Previous winners in recent years have included James Blake,...
- 9/10/2014
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
LONDON -- Teenaged soul singer Joss Stone and Glasgow rock band Franz Ferdinand are among nominees for this year's Mercury Music Prize announced Tuesday. Veteran Robert Wyatt, formerly of psychedelic band Soft Machine, was also nominated along with R&B star Amy Winehouse, dance duo Basement Jaxx and rock band Keane. Completing the list are R&B artist Jamelia, garage band the Streets and bands the Zutons, Snow Patrol, and Belle & Sebastian. "The shortlist recognizes the continued good health of the gloriously eclectic world that is British and Irish music," said Simon Frith, chair of the judges. The annual Mercury Prize, regarded as more adventurous than the popular Brit Awards, is voted for by a panel of music industry experts, journalists and music artists from a selection of 180 albums. Previous winners have included Portishead, Pulp, Primal Scream and last year's honoree Dizzee Rascal. The winner will be announced on Sept. 7.
- 7/20/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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