It is that time of year again. Twelve artists have been short listed for the Mercury Music Award 2011. Here are the twelve nominees and information on their albums.
Adele-21
‘21’ is the follow up album to Adele’s first album ‘19’. Adele had been away from the limelight for a while but came back in January 2011 with this brilliant album. I finally listened to the album myself, in full, a few weeks ago and it is fantastic. Rick Rubin and Paul Epworth produced the majority of the album. So far Adele has released three songs from the album; ‘Rolling in the Deep’, ‘Someone like You’ and ‘Set Fire to the Rain’. My favourite track is ‘Someone like You’ and when she performed it on the Brit Awards earlier this year I got goosebumps.
Metronomy-The English Riviera
‘English Riviera’ is Metronomy’s third album. I’ve not really heard of Metronomy so I had a listen to some of the songs they had released from the album. It has a bit of an eighties electro feel to it. I’d never heard Metronomy’s stuff before but I will be making an effort to try and listen to more of their music. The album was produced by Joseph Mount and was recorded in London and Paris. ‘The English Riviera’ features ‘She Wants, ‘The Look’ and ‘The Bay’.
Everything Everything-Man Alive
‘Man Alive’ is Everything Everything’s debut album. The band originates from Manchester and formed in 2007. The album was produced by David Kosten and was released on Geffen in August 2010. The album features the songs; ‘Schoolin’, ‘MY KZ, UR BF’ and ‘Photoshop Handsome’. I first heard Everything Everything when I saw the video for ‘MY KZ, UR BF’ on the NME channel. I loved the song when I first heard it. Everything Everything are definitely a band worth checking out.
Ghostpoet-Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
'Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam' is the debut album from Ghostpoet. The man behind it all is Obaro Ejimiwe. The album was written while Obaro was at university in Coventry. Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam was released on Brownswood Recordings in February this year. The album includes the tracks; ‘Cash and Carry me Home’ and ‘Survive it’. I’ve listened to some of Ghostpoets tracks, though they’re not something I’d normally listen to. However, I do find it pretty incredible that Ghostpoet’s album has been nominated for a Mercury Music Award after being written at university.
Anna Calvi-Anna Calvi
Anna Calvi’s self-titled album was released in January of this year. The album was produced by Rob Ellis and Anna and was released on Domino Records. The album features a guest appearance from Brian Eno. ‘Anna Calvi’ features the singles ‘Blackout’ and ‘Desire’. Calvi is another artist I’d never heard of and when I listened to ‘Desire’ it reminded my slightly of Florence and the Machine with a bit of folk thrown in.
Tinie Tempah-Dis-Overy
‘Disc-Overy’ is Tinie Tempah’s first album. The album was released in October 2010 on Parlophone. It features the singles ‘Pass Out’, ‘Frisky’ and ‘Wonderman’. I love Tinie Tempah and his album is brilliant. I’m not a big hip-hop or R’n’B fan but Tinie has brought out some great songs this past year. I am really looking forward to his next album because his first album has been played repetitively on my I-Pod.
Elbow-Build a Rocket Boys!
‘Build a Rocket Boys!’ is Elbow’s fifth album. This album was produced by Craig Potter. Their previous album, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, won the Mercury Prize in 2008. The album features the singles ‘Neat Little Rows’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Lippy Kids’. Elbow can do no wrong in my opinion. I loved their last album and this is a band that produces iconic songs. ‘One Day Like This’ is a fantastic song and I look forward to seeing Elbow at Leeds Festival later this year.
Gwilym Simcock-Good Days at Schloss Elmau
‘Good Days at Schloss Elmau’ is the creation of jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock. Gwilym attended Trinity College and the Royal Academy of Music. They recorded the album in Bavaria and released it on ACT in January. I’m not a massive jazz fan so this album hasn’t really appealed to me. If you do love you’re jazz though Gwilym is worth listening to.
James Blake-James Blake
James Blake’s self-titled debut album was released after a series of successful EP’s. James Blake is a music graduate from Goldsmiths. The album was written and recorded by the 22-year-old at his home. The album was released on Atlas/A&M in February this year. The album features the tracks ‘Limit to Your Love, ‘The Wilhem Scream’ and ‘Lindisfarne/Unluck’. Blake’s tracks are unusual. They are great chillout tracks. ‘Limit to your Love’ is almost like an Adele track. However, ‘Wilhelm Scream’ and ‘Lindisfarne’ are really electro.
PJ Harvey-Let England Shake
‘Let England Shake’ is PJ Harvey’s eighth album. It was recorded in a 19th century church in Dorset. Collaborators on the album included Flood, John Parish and Mick Harvey. PJ Harvey has won the prize before and this album was released on Island Records. Singles on the album include ‘Words that Maketh Murder’ and ‘The Glorious Land’. I’ve never really heard any of PJ Harvey’s tracks until now. I had heard of her though. I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy her album but I wouldn’t turn off the radio if one of her tracks came on.
Katy B-On a Mission
‘On a Mission’ is Katy B’s debut album. The 22-year-old studied music at Goldsmiths. Her album was released on Rinse/Columbia in April of this year. It features the singles ‘Lights On’ and ‘Katy on a Mission’. Katy B has brought out some brilliant singles in the past few months. I have loved every track she has released so far. My favourite track of hers has to be ‘Easy Please Me’, a great song that I can’t help but sing along to it.
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins-Diamond Mine
King Creosote’s real name is Kenny Anderson and he has worked with Jon Hopkins and this new album. Hopkins has worked with Brian Eno and Coldplay in the past. Domino Records released ‘Diamond Mine’ in March this year. This isn’t music that I like to be honest. However, if you’re quite open in your musical tastes this may be an album worth listening to.
The awards ceremony will take place on 6th September this year. Look out for television highlights to find out who won the prestigious award for 2011.
Sources
- Unknown writer, 'Shortlists for Album of the Year', MercuryPrize.com, 21st July 2011
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