MY OPINION: Mercury Prize 2012 Shortlist - My Predictions/Choices

So not long now until the nominees for the 2012 Mercury Music Prize are announced. A few changes have been made this year, including a longer qualification period. Albums released between 12th July 2011 and 11th September 2012 qualify for nomination are eligible for the list, and the winner will be announced on 1st November. 


The shortlist of 12 ‘albums of the year’ is chosen by an independent judging panel and "provides a snapshot of the year in music, recognising artistic achievement across a range of music genres".

And it's recorded music of all genres by British or Irish artists only.


Usually the shortlist of 11 albums contains a broad range of styles, and often features the "token" classical or jazz album, as well as a pop album. So my personal list of 11 albums that I would put up for nomination is probably going to differ greatly from the shortlist that is being announced soon. So here are the eleven best albums I have heard in between July 2011 and September 2011 (sadly, Ultrasound's mighty new album 'Play For Today' isn't released for another few weeks, so doesn't qualify!)...

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS - NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS
KASABIAN - VELOCIRAPTOR!
MICHAEL KIWANUKA - HOME AGAIN
DODGY - STAND UPRIGHT IN A COOL PLACE
DJANGO DJANGO - DJANGO DJANGO
RICHARD HAWLEY - STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE
ERRORS - HAVE SOME FAITH IN MAGIC
DEXY'S - ONE DAY I'M GOING TO SOAR
ORBITAL - WONKY
2 WOUNDED BIRDS - 2 WOUNDED BIRDS
PAUL WELLER - SONIK KICKS
THE FALL - ERSATZ GB