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Yeah yeah it's a rubbish competition or whatever... but I don't really want to debate that. The idea is to pick 5 glaring omissions from the Mercury Prize list of nominations (not just winners) - and a full list of all nominees can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_prize

RULES: The first prize was held in 1992 and included albums from the second half of 1991. So to round it off we'll have any time in 1991 as the start point, right up to the present. I'm sure we can all name a load of bands we like who sold about 5 copies of handmade vinyl they released themselves, but I was thinking about keeping this to bands that most people will generally have heard of, not just a list of obscure bands. But rules are there to be broke so pick whatever. Obviously only British and Irish bands count, but if only part of the band fits that category that's allowed (example: Razorlight *shudder* would qualify even though at least one of them was Swedish or something). Plus British and Irish born artists are fine (example: Antony & The Johnsons won even though he spent most of his life in America - so I guess you could include Guns N' Roses as Slash was born in Stoke!)

But you get the idea. Feel free to suggest an album too.

Five from me:

1) Spiritualized - difficult to believe they've NEVER been nominated, I'd pick any of their albums, but let's go for Ladies & Gentlemen...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEXO15RX36Y

2) Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuQUrk8nhPw

3) Teenage Fanclub - again take your pick, I'll go with Songs From Northern Britain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mMPxxDb7xY

4) The Duke Spirit - Neptune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llWh9JBsLuc

5) The Stone Roses - The Second Coming - don't care what anyone says, this is a great album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI6RdZTujL0


Others in contention were The Beta Band - The Three EPs which I don't think would count as it's technically a comp.

It's Jo & Danny - Lank Haired Girl To Bearded Boy a great lost album, I had it down at #6 when I did an albums of the decade list a few years back, a bit obscure though...

Spacemen 3 - Recurring was Feb 1991 so was cutting it fine, plus they'd already split by then, the album was recorded in 1990 mostly.

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Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

Here's 5 (some may be a little obscure):

Flying Saucer Attack - New Lands (1997)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs-WNjdJOjo

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - The Blue Trees (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKln-pG2iRw

Half Man Half Biscuit - Cammell Laird Social Club (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvn4CeaJp_s

The Wedding Present - Seamonsters (1991)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzOHGE_dxVo

Julian Cope - Peggy Suicide (1991)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZFozl4QVD8

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Has something against Spotify...

No I reckon they're fine - the only one I don't know is Flying Saucer Attack.

And well done for remembering Gorky's! I was supposed to include Bwyd Time in mine. One of my favourite albums ever, but I forgot it!

_________________
Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

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Has something against Spotify...

Off the top of my head, I'll say,

The Fall ... The Real New Fall Album; formerly Country On The Click
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEUXOz5XU6E

Country Teasers ... The Empire Strikes Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEbnnTObBDI

My Bloody Valentine ... MBV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2FQ3ih0MoE

The Nightingales ... Out Of True
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kI5xZu0Llg

X-TG ... Desert Shore / The Final Report
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3-T_HpNZYY

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Curmudgeonly Rock 'n' Roll time traveller from ye olden days

2nd verse same as the 1st...

Not had a chance to really think it through but I'd initially go:

Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Shane MacGowan - The Snake

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Mod Supreme, Demon Headmaster

Belle & Sebastian got nominated for Dear Catastrophe Waitress...

_________________
Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

Also worth mentioning this in case some people don't realise (I expect most do).

My reason for picking this as a top 5 was due to realising that Spiritualized had never been nominated. Given the plaudits - as well as sales - that they've had over the years this seemed odd... so it got me thinking about others.

But to be nominated for a Mercury you actually have to submit your album. It's quite possible that some of the bands that have been mentioned have simply never bothered submitting anything. I would have thought record labels would have submitted Spiritualized stuff, although I doubt Jason himself would be that fussed. He has on numerous occasions gone against what may be expected or what the labels/public have wanted, to deliberately not become a mainstream band (can give plenty of examples if you want), so I can't be sure they've ever been put forward. (I'd be surprised if they haven't at least once though, probably for Let It Come Down)

A lot of the other bands mentioned haven't had top 10 albums and been on Top Of The Pops of whatever, so might have thought it was worthless doing. It actually costs money to even submit an album.

I think the current charge is either 200 or 250 quid, which isn't exactly a fortune. But take a small or specialist label - for familiarity's sake let's say Odd Box. However good an album they've released may be, Trev is probably aware that the Mercury panel has never shown any particular interest in the types of music he covers. So submitting an album would likely be futile. Plus this would mean whipping up 250 quid or whatever and essentially throwing it in a black hole. Something a lot of indie labels just can't afford to do.

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Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

Good thread, this.

I'll opt for:

Tindersticks – Tindersticks (II)
The Clientele – Strange Geometry
Mclusky – Mclusky Do Dallas
Pete & the Pirates – Little Death
Sons & Daughters – The Repulsion Box

I agree with Teenage Fanclub too, although I'd nominate Grand Prix.

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Putting the pip in pop since the late 70s

Would have thought Bandwagonesque would have been the most popular. Songs In Northern Britain resonated withme more. It was a case of right record, right time. And it's bloody brilliant.

_________________
Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

Can't be bothered to chack list - I know lots of people who I love like Pulp and Polly have been nominated and won - can't recall these little gems being mentioned though:

Razorlight - Up all night - (joking aside, I love it and I love him.

The Verve - Urban Hymns - I thought that was pretty amazing - everything about it (leaving aside the Rolling stones legal battle - how much money does Mick want? *cough*)

Lily Allen - It's not me, it's you - too right, Lily.

Robbie Williams - Life through a lens - deeper than most people give it credit

Imogen Heap - Speak for yourself - love her.

P.S I had a great conversation in a toilet with the singer from Duke Spirit once many moons ago - can't remember now what it was but yeah, I did. She the man.

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Jarvis Cocker or David Bowie or AVB or Johnny Borrell, she isn't picky

Cavey Cocker, Cup Cake Queen, Saint Thomas.

_________________
Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

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Crazy haired surfin' slacker

The Longcut - A Call And Response
James - Laid
The Cribs - Men's Needs, Woman's Need's, Whatever.
South - Adventures In The Underground Journey To The Stars
Ian Brown - Unfinished Monkey Business

Surprised to see The Libertines never made the nomination list. Ellie Goulding can count herself unlucky too, her first album is a great pop record.

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Knowing M.E, Knowing You.. Ah Ha!

David Silva loves Bakewell Tarts the best
He'll eat a box and leave none for the rest
De Gea's doughnuts never look the part
next to Silva's Bakewell Tart!

_________________
Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

_________________
Curmudgeonly Rock 'n' Roll time traveller from ye olden days

2nd verse same as the 1st...

Exactly...

_________________
Definitely isn't inbred...has the GCSEs to prove it!

REVOLUTION PURITY LOVE SUICIDE ACCURACY

http://www.thesoundofconfusion.com

_________________
Jarvis Cocker or David Bowie or AVB or Johnny Borrell, she isn't picky

Cavey Cocker, Cup Cake Queen, Saint Thomas.