Updated info on this post is in green…

What it is…
The Mercury Prize recognizes the year’s best album by a British or Irish artist

It’s a £20,000 (about $35,000 Cdn) prize and comes with a tremendous growth in industry and fan recognition. Even shortlisters see their CD sales rise. The 2009 winner will be announced at a London ceremony on Sept. 8

My interviews and pics with some shortlisters…
Here are recent interviews with two of the shortlist nominees: Glasvegas and Friendly Fires.

My prediction:
Even though Glasvegas *should win, I predict (a riot.ha) that Florence will win- who almost deserves it as much. If not, then Lisa Hannigan’ll get it. argh!

ps. Where’s White Lies, Micachu & the Shapes and Super Furry Animals in this list… Better be cause they missed the deadline!

The 2009 nominees:
* Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
* Florence And The Machine – Lungs
* Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
* Glasvegas – Glasvegas
* Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
* Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
* Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
* The Horrors – Primary Colours
* The Invisible – The Invisible
* La Roux – La Roux
* Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
* Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men

MERCURY PRIZE ODDS
· Kasabian – 5/1
· Florence and the Machine – 5/1
· Bat For Lashes – 6/1
· Glasvegas – 6/1
· La Roux – 6/1
· Lisa Hannigan – 8/1
· Speech Debelle – 8/1
· The Horrors – 8/1
· Friendly Fires – 8/1
· The Invisible – 10/1
· Sweet Billy Pilgrim – 10/1
· Led Bib – 10/1