The Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominations have been announced and there are a couple of great guitar bands in the running. The winner will be announced on 7 September during a live broadcast on BBC2.
TG is chuffed to see Biffy Clyro getting a well-deserved tip of the cap. They're a good old-fashioned slow-burning success story and could well pull an "Elbow" (not in the muscular sense) if they win it.
In addition, the nu-folk stylings of Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Villagers also make up a significant chunk of the nominees.
Bookies William Hill have proclaimed it the closest race ever, with favourites The xx (and Dizzee Rascal) on 4/1. Biffy's in joint-third with 8/1, whereas new act Villagers represent a good wildcard bet, on at 10/1. Check out the full list of nominees below.
Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominees
Biffy Clyro 'Only Revolutions'
Corinne Bailey Rae 'The Sea'
Dizzee Rascal 'Tongue N' Cheek'
Foals 'Total Life Forever'
I Am Kloot 'Sky At Night'
Kit Downes Trio 'Golden'
Laura Marling 'I Speak Because I Can'
Mumford & Sons 'Sigh No More'
Paul Weller 'Wake Up the Nation'
The xx 'xx'
Villagers 'Becoming a Jackal'
Wild Beasts 'Two Dancers'
