#243

I think both the Scottish and Welsh prizes have record shop owners on their panels too!

Mercury used to spend time contacting and working with smaller labels (especially in the ‘token’ genres) to help them submit albums for consideration. That hasn’t happened for a long time now though which can’t help. The more they pander to the major labels, the worse it’s going to get.

1 Like
#244

tbf that’s surprisingly large number of people just to decide to give it to the acoustic singer-songwriter every year

4 Likes
#245

The fact that you have to pay to have your album considered is a bit of a shitter too especially for tiny DIY bands/labels.

6 Likes
#246

:rofl:
Aye but we do that soooo well.
Hannah Peel is bound to win this year though right?

#247

Tempted to listen to this Wolf Alice album so I can argue that it’s a bad album but I’d rather not waste my fucking time.

2 Likes
#248

Let’s face it, people have been having the same conversations about the Mercury for years (especially the submission fee issue), and nothing has changed. Can’t imagine it changing any time soon either, they’ll just keep trudging on regardless.

1 Like
#249

would be a great winner but i dunno. if they continue to insist on only giving it to solo artists she might be in with a chance, but it’s a bit esoteric compared to previous winners and her being a bit of an outsider to the ‘scene’ and quite popular in the UK already might see her passed over.

i’ve already been extensively analysing the nominations to make a prediction and i reckon based on hype levels they might give it to a band for the first time ever and give it to Brand New Friend (though i’m not keen on them at all and they could probably do with a few more years to develop first)

if it’s 70 people judging though who knows, i’ve always assumed it was just like the ATL lads and a couple of others or something.

i tend to be interested in the nominations but less so in the winner which is usually quite predictable, the lack of variety in the winners so far is pretty astounding. the Joshua Burnside album was strong though tbf

#250

The problem is that nobody seems to agree on what they want it to be.

If it’s intended to be the “best” album of the year, then that doesn’t necessarily mean the most groundbreaking or relevant album, and it doesn’t necessarily mean shining a light on some unknown artist or music scene, but lots of people think that’s what it should do. When people don’t really know what the actual point is then they’re not going to agree on worthy winners.

#251

People only buying an album because it won a trinket are on a bit of a beaten docket anyway though right?

#252

Sleaford Mods have been talking shite on Twitter for ages. Wouldn’t mind if they ever wrote a second song.

2 Likes
#253

I am not a fan of their music.
Someone retweeted it.

#254

Ah, sorry, wasn’t suggesting you were! They have a lot of opinions on other bands from what I’ve seen. I say, “they”, I’m guessing it’s just the singer bloke.

#255

Aye seems like a mouth.
At least the Gallaghers are funny :slight_smile:

#256

The nature of the Mercurys shortlist could also cause ludicrous notions like this in your average idiot:

image

#257

This is bang on. Saying that this jazz album is better than this electronica release but worse than this rock album. It’s intrinsically silly.

11 Likes
#258

Listen to this. It’s not as good as this, and neither was their debut.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect some criticism from a community like DiS, where most contributors make every effort to explore music and ‘try new stuff’. When comparatively mainstream artists like Wolf Alice win a prize, it’s always going to ‘irk’ people. If they’ve done the hard yards (as Evil Sean says they have), then good luck to them and I hope it doesn’t curse them like some of the other winners. Still content that the song above is their best - I’ve really wanted to like them, but neither album really does it for me (irrespective of the occasional highlight).

I’ve tried to find the negative write-ups, but not seen many to be honest, so hopefully they can just get on and enjoy their £25k!

1 Like
#259

The Wolf Alice album is great (and better than the debut), but I’ll give Sons of Kemet (or whatever) a go, seeing as so many people are wetting their pants over them not winning it.

#260

Welll…
at least Foghorn & the Machine didn’t win :wink: :smiley:

1 Like
#261

Presume Cullum is there to make sure Sons of Kemet get one vote. His jazz show is fine and he’s genuinely enthusiastic about it, so I’ve no problem with him. Mumford can go snap his banjo string.

#262

dear god. that’s awful.