Blog: Sound Bites

In the world of meaningless awards, the UK's Mercury Prize has always been different because it actually seems to be based on merit. At least moreso than, say, the Grammys. It's also an actual prize -- £20,000 -- and one of the few that I actually still pay attention to, though nominees have become somewhat predictable in recent years. This year's "shortlist" of album nominees -- all UK artists, released between July 2008 and July 2009 -- was announced today, and like usual, it's a mix of the obvious, some outsiders, and at least three you've never heard of. [...]

• The Horrors - Scarlet Fields