The 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominees for the U.K. album of the year award have been announced. According to Billboard Magazine, there are two acts leading as the bookmaker’s favorites: Alt-rock bands Florence & The Machine and Kasabian. These were chosen by the leading bookmaker firm William Hill, who claim it will be the closest race ever this year among all the nominees. The Mercury Prize can be considered Europe’s top honor in terms of media coverage and influence. The award also means a large monetary prize of £20,000. There are 12 albums promoted by British or Irish artists. All genres of music are eligible. The nominations came out today and the award ceremony will be on September 8th, airing on BBC Two and BBC’s Mercury Prize site after 10 pm.
Full list of nominees and odds:
Bat for Lashes, “Two Suns” – Parlophone/EMI 6/1
Florence & The Machine, “Lungs” – Island/Universal 5/1
Friendly Fires, “Friendly Fires” – XL Recordings 8/1
Glasvegas, “Glasvegas” – Columbia/Sony Music Entertainment 6/1
Kasabian, “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum” – Columbia/Sony Music Entertainment 5/1
La Roux, “La Roux” – Polydor/Universal 6/1
Led Bib, “Sensible Shoes” – Cuneiform Records 10/1
Lisa Hannigan, “Sea Sew” – Hoop Recordings/Absolute 8/1
Speech Debelle, “Speech Therapy” – Big Dada 8/1
Sweet Billy Pilgrim, “Twice Born Men” – Samadhisound 10/1
The Horrors, “Primary Colours” – XL Recordings 8/1
The Invisible, “The Invisible” – Accidental Records 10/1
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