Kasabian, Bat For Lashes and Glasvegas have all had their albums shortlisted for the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, in a announcement by Lauren Laverne in London today (Tuesday July 21).
The 12 album shortlist, with the prize winner to be announced on September 8, also includes Florence & The Machine, La Roux and Speech Debelle for their debut albums.
The 2008 prize went to Elbow for their album Seldom Seen Kid.
Mercury Prize chair of Judges Simon Frith has commented on this year’s list, saying: “This has been a rich and creative year for British and Irish music. There are seven fine debut albums on the list and five outstanding records from more established acts, all marking out new ground. What most impresses is the imaginative verve with which British and Irish musicians continue to explore musical possibilities, push musical boundaries and refuse to be pinned down by genre.”
Kasabian and Florence & the Machine both have odds of 5/1 to win at William Hill. Bat For Lashes, Glasvegas
and La Roux are close behind at 6/1.
The 2009 Mercury Prize nominated albums are:
Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Florence & The Machine – Lungs
Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
Glasvegas – Glasvegas
Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
La Roux – La Roux
Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men
The Horrors – Primary Colours
The Invisible – The Invisible
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Pic credit: PA Photos