Mercury Prize 2009 Nominations Announced

The nominations for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize to find the best album of 2009 were announced today (21 July).

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The shortlist was chosen from an entry of over 260 albums by UK and Irish artists, and the winner will be announced live on BBC Two on 8 September.


The prize does not take sales or even live performances into consideration - it is judged solely through consideration of the music on the albums.


The 2009 Albums of the Year are:


Bat for Lashes - 'Two Suns'


Florence & The Machine - 'Lungs'


Friendly Fires - 'Friendly Fires'


Glasvegas - 'Glasvegas'


Kasabian - 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum'


La Roux - 'La Roux'


Led Bib - 'Sensible Shoes'


Lisa Hannigan - 'Sea Sew'


Speech Debelle - 'Speech Therapy'


Sweet Billy Pilgrim - 'Twice Born Men'


The Horrors - 'Primary Colours'


The Invisible - 'The Invisible'


The bookies' joint favourites are Florence & The Machine and Kasabian at 5/1.