'Best album' prize contenders to be announced
19/07/2005 - 07:45:13The nominees for Britain's Mercury Prize will be announced today. Twelve albums will compete for the prestigious £20,000 (€29,000) award.
Now in its 14th year, the prize honours the best album of the year by a UK act, and is judged on innovation rather than commercial sales.
Scottish band Franz Ferdinand won last year with their debut album.
Previous winners include Dizzee Rascal, Ms Dynamite and Pulp.
The prize is voted by a panel of industry experts, journalists and artists and is open to all genres of music.
The shortlist will be unveiled by Jools Holland at a reception in London.
