The Mercury Music Prize is often viewed with scorn from within the music business, and often as a joke by rock-stars themselves. In the early days the prize was actually seen as a jinx on an artists career.

I'm sure Morrissey wont lose sleep over this snub.

The Mercury Prize is a farce. Some real duffers have been nominated (and won) over the years. The only good records on this list are Franz Ferdinand's splendid debut, Robert Wyatt's excellent 'Cuckooland' and Belle and Sebastian's 'Dear Catastrophe Waitress'. And I doubt whether B+S or Robert Wyatt or even Franz gives two shits about this prize. If anything, it puts people like me off cos it denotes a horrible "respectabality". I'm glad Moz wasn't nominated - the Mojo Icon award plus his songwriting award are more worthy of him. Watch Joss Stone bag this one - she's exactly the kind of artist that would!

Its a shame he isnt on the list but he wouldnt have had a prayer anyway. The Streets is gonna win it. The press love him and with good reason. amy winehouse and Belle and Sebastian are good too. Just so long as Franz Ferdinand dont win it. Bad lyrics dull music

Though I love Moz etc. etc., Franz F's debute is actually better. Hope they win. Awsome album. These days the have turned into yet another Strokes: after they got hyped, everyone supposedly in the know feels compelled to hate them, despite the fact that they have made a great album which deserves all praise it gets.

Hope Keane win if only for Somewhere only we know...nobody can say its not a great track>

At least this means Morrissey's career won't end the nanosecond he would have won it. Er...?!

ive never known its history or reputation, but surely an award that has been given to an absolutley brilliant album as 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea' cant be that shameful, can it? [or was this juste a one-off moment of clarity in an otherwise bullshite affair?]

The Brits: best solo male
Ivor Novello: best single 'First of the Gang'
NME Brats: best comeback/hype/godlike genius etc
The reviews for Quarry were too mixed for it to be nominated as best album. Probably got an avaerage of about 7/10 (3.5/5).
John

This list is so "safe". There seems to be no room in the music industry for anything that shocks you anymore. It's all sewn up by the corporate giants. Joss Stone and Keane for god's sake!

Did it get nominated at all?
These are the winners:
1992 - Primal Scream 'Screamadelica'
1993 - Suede: 'Suede'
1994 - M People: 'Elegant Slumming'
1995 - Portishead: 'Dummy'
1996 - Pulp: 'Different Class'
1997 - Roni Size: 'New Forms'
1998 - Gomez: 'Bring It On'
1999 - Talvin Singh: 'OK'
2000 - Badly Drawn Boy: 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast'
2001 - PJ Harvey: 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea'
2002 - Ms Dynamite: 'A Little Deeper'
2003 – Dizzee Rascal – ‘Boy In Da Corner’

Not that bad a list, really.

Unlike all the others, the old duffer could do with the cash.

I, for one, will not be buying any mercury in the next few months.

I think the mercury has a decent history and, for an award, decent cred. I have 7 of the winners for goodness sake - although I suppose that may say more about my lack of cred! It does get it badly wrong occasionally, but even M people have their merits and they weren't originally just considered fit for burning. Apart from M people and the last couple all of the albums on the winners list are likely to stand the test of time.

The Streets should have won it for his first album which is great, instead of MS Dynamite . I haven't heard the new one yet, but "dry your eyes" is pooh. Keane? Snow Patrol? Based on their singles I really don't think they are worthy of inclusion. Even FF suffers in comparison to YATQ.

Moby, not only is this very rude & racist but it is also offtopic. Additionally, it is redundant because you used the word "fat" twice. If you have an issue with BG, please take it up off the Main Page, in Chat or the Message Board. This is hardly the place for your pettiness.

I'm no big fan of moderation but can't trolling of this level be deleted?