So it seems that rank outsider Anthony and the Johnsons have won the Nationwide Mercury Prize with the album "I am a Bird Now".
There's now some bleating that the band isn't really British since Antony Hegarty has lived in New York for the last 20 years. The Kaiser Chiefs leading the charge, having been pipped to the post.
Personally, I'm delighted. The Mercury prize has always rewarded what are stunning achievements as far as albums go and it's about the only thing that doesn't pander to the popular taste of the day. The Kaisers are ace and their album is great but it's not a remarkably innovative work of art that puts the passion back into music like the Anthony and the Johnsons masterpeice.
So enough of the whining that he should be excluded. This is a good thing for music and hopefully the Mercury prize will continue to inspire people to look a little bit further afield for great new music.
Wednesday 7 September 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
I was listening to this on the way to work in the car this morning. After about 20 mins & noticed I had a distinct pain in my neck, followed by the realisation that I'd tensed all my neck & shoulder muscles up listening to this album.Call me shallow but I really, really dislike it. I think his warbly voice just grates on me. It's probably far too sensitive material for me lyrically too, but I'd put another word in place of 'master' when used in conjuntion with this 'piece'. Yeuck.I'm holding out for Kate Bush's new album in November, just crossing my fingers that I won't be dissapointed.
ReplyDeleteSigh, I should have expected this bollocks I suppose :-)
ReplyDeleteAnyway... Kate Bush's new album. My most anticipated album of this year after Imogen Heap's (which is good but a slight disappointment). Kate's can't be shit. It's not possible.
Well that's musical taste for you :)
ReplyDeleteTBF to the 'Chiefs - they aren't whining and the reported comments were made at the selection stage not after the win. And by a drummer. Nuffz.