Each and every year I look through the Mercury Prize list and tally it up with the list I have in my head. Sometimes the list is good and includes virtually everything that I too considered to be the best of that period. Other times, and particularly in recent years, the list seems to consist of two groups: the year’s big financial hitters and some seemingly willful curve balls. This year’s list falls between the two stalls. There’s a lot on the list that seems to be dictated by popularity; Adele, Tinie Tempah, Elbow and also a smattering of albums that seem to defy the sales figures; Gwilym Simcock, Ghostpoet and King Creosote & Jon Hopkins. I actually think that this years list is pretty decent, the more mainstream choices are generally far from poor albums – I rate the Anna Calvi album particularly highly – and the descriptions of the lesser-known picks pique my interest enough to check them out.
Fact remains though, that there’s only one choice common to both my selection below and the 12 nominations. And that album is (for me) the obvious winner - PJ Harvey’s sublime Let England Shake. Installed already as the bookie’s joint favourite to scoop the prize for the second time, the album is one of the albums of the last decade let alone 2011. So, even though my selection is almost completely different to that of the judging panel, I’d call the 2011 nomination list a cautious success. There are choices that recognise success, sales (here and overseas) and innovation – and the downright best album of the year is there. It does highlight the best of all sorts of British music.
Here’s my 12 picks from the judging period of July 2010 – July 2011. I was a bit surprised at how conservative this list appears at first glance, a split of the dubbier side of electronica and the best of the indie brigade, but that’s my taste. And yes, I know, Gorillaz wouldn’t want to be on the list – never mind, they won’t read this. The ones I’m most surprised didn’t make the real list? Start off with Wild Beasts – I think that’s a big miss, and an album of true quality. I think the Jamie Woon album deserved the nod, perhaps it was one or the other between him and James Blake. Personally, I find Blake’s album has a lot less charm and a bit less variety. Without further ado, I give you…
The Stereo Jealousy Alternative Mercury Shortlist
British Sea Power – Valhalla Dancehall
Engineers – In Praise of More
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Kode9 & The Spaceape – Black Sun
Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Mount Kimbie – Crooks and Lovers
Sons & Daughters – Mirror Mirror
Tom Vek – Leisure Seizure
Wild Beasts – Smother
Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting
Yuck – Yuck
