Franz Ferdinand favourites to scoop Mercury prize
Scottish art-rockers Franz Ferdinand are firm favourites to scoop the prestigious Mercury Music Prize tonight with their debut album.
Northern Irish quartet Snow Patrol and 59-year-old British musician Robert Wyatt were also on the list.
Glaswegians Franz Ferdinand still face tough competition from fellow new boys The Zutons and established rapper The Streets.
The band’s eponymous album was made 9-4 favourite by bookmakers Ladbrokes, who closed the book on the annual prize yesterday.
Mike Skinner, alias The Streets, was left at 3-1 after he was nominated for the second album in a row.
But Liverpool newcomers The Zutons could still provide the surprise of the evening after their debut effort, Who Killed… The Zutons, was slashed from 14-1 to 3-1.
The artists are among 12 acts in the running for the £20,000 (€29,500) prize, although the reputation of winning is traditionally more valuable than the money.
Other nominees include Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Keane and Belle and Sebastian while British dance and urban music also has a strong showing, with Basement Jaxx, Jamelia and rapper Ty.
Franz Ferdinand’s nomination followed the band’s triumphant performance at this summer’s Glastonbury festival.
Singer and guitarist Alex Kapranos said earlier: “It’s a real vindication for the year’s hard work we have just put in. It’s so great to see Glasgow so well represented.”
The Streets rapper Mike Skinner was nominated for the Mercury in 2002 for his debut album – Original Pirate Material – but narrowly missed out to Ms Dynamite.
His nomination this year, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, features the hit singles Fit But You Know It and Dry Your Eyes, which reached number one in the UK charts.
The Nationwide Mercury Prize, now in its 13th year, honours the best album of the year by a British or Irish band and is dubbed the Booker of the music world.
It is judged on talent and innovation rather than commercial sales and the winner can usually expect a surge in sales and publicity.
The prize, renowned for its eclecticism, is open to UK and Irish acts who have released albums over the past year. Last year’s winner was garage star Dizzee Rascal, otherwise known as Dylan Mills.
At just 17, soul singer Joss Stone is the youngest nominee for this year’s award.
The Devon star has been put forward for her album The Soul Session.
East Sussex guitarless band Keane have been nominated for Hopes And Fears, 20-year-old Londoner Amy Winehouse is up for her debut album Frank, and South London dance outfit Basement Jaxx – Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe – are up for Kish Kash.
Jamelia’s nomination for Thank You marks the peak of a phenomenally successful year for the 23-year-old R and B singer who has scored hits with the likes of Superstar.
Robert Wyatt has been nominated for his first album in six years, Cuckooland, a mixture of jazz, folk and pop.
Hip-hop artist Ty is up for the award for his second album Upwards, Snow Patrol are up for their third album Final Straw and Belle and Sebastian for Dear Catastrophe Waitress.
When the list was unveiled last month, chair of the judges Simon Frith said: “This is an exceptional year, most dramatically illustrated by the emergence of several new and varied bands together with outstanding work by three powerful female singers.”
Jazz sensation Jamie Cullum and Morrissey were both tipped for this year’s list but have not been nominated.
The shortlist is whittled down by judges from an original choice of 180 albums.
In recent years critics have criticised the award for being wilfully obscure and selecting “token” classical or folk acts, but this year there is no music from that genre.
The 2004 Albums of the Year, with odds from Ladbrokes and judges’ comments:
:: Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand (9-4) “Art pop masterpiece.”
:: The Streets, A Grand Don’t Come for-Free (3-1) “A touching, funny and gripping story of life’s frustrations in modern Britain.”
:: The Zutons – Who Killed The Zutons (3-1) “Welcome to the eccentric, exhilarating and spiky world of The Zutons, inhabited by catchy songs, primal guitars and saxophone.”
:: Amy Winehouse, Frank (8-1) “An ebullient blend of raw emotions, sardonic sensibilities and an original take on jazz and R&B.”
:: Keane, Hopes and Fears (8-1) “A supremely confident debut unveiling a stunning new British rock voice on a formidable collection of songs,”
:: Snow Patrol, Final Straw (10-1) “An album with massive presence, immediately engaging the listener in the band’s emotionally-charged songs.”
:: Basement Jaxx, Kish Kash (12-1) “British dance music is alive and kicking.”
:: Joss Stone, The Soul Sessions (12-1) “Remarkable showcase of classic soul power.”
:: Belle & Sebastian, Dear Catastrophe Waitress (16-1) “An enchanting reminder of the romance of witty and elegant pop songs.”
:: Jamelia, Thank You (16-1) “British urban music that sparkles with unusual subtlety and depth,”
:: Robert Wyatt, Cuckooland (25-1) “Robert Wyatt’s take on the world is gloriously idiosyncratic, passionate, gentle and inspiring.”
:: Ty, Upwards (25-1) “A very British rap record – down to earth, musically diverse and invigoratingly upbeat.”
