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2010 Mercury Prize Nominees Announced

Since 1992 the Mercury Prize has been celebrating some of the best albums from the UK and Ireland. Each year a handful of albums released between June 30 of last year and July 1 of this year are selected by an exclusive panel of music experts. In previous years the Mercury Prize has gone to acts including Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons. This year the shortlist has been announced, with the winner receiving the Mercury Prize on September 7.

This year’s nominees Are:

Biffy ClyroOnly Revolutions

Corinne Bailey Rae- The Sea

Dizzee RascalTongue N’ Cheek

Mumford & SonsSigh No More

Kit Downes TrioGolden

FoalsTotal Life Forever

I Am KlootSky At Night

Laura MarlingI Speak Because I Can

Paul WellerWake Up The Nation

VillagersBecoming A Jackal

Wild Beasts- Two Dancers

The XXXX

Personally I think The XX have this one in the bag. However, the favorite to win last year, Florence and the Machine, was greatly upset after she was defeated by a rather obscure British rapper who had only sold a handful of albums in comparison. I doubt they would give it to Dizzee Rascal twice, and it should be interesting to see how the folk powers (and two of my favorites from this year) Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons will fair. Also, it came to me as a great surprise to see the newcomer Villagers and the jazz ensemble Kit Downes Trio nominated. This should be another interesting year for the Mercury Prize. It’s just a shame we’ll have to wait until September to find out who wins.

Who do you think should win? Leave your opinion about who you think will take home the prize in the comment section below.