Amy Winehouse & Arctic Monkeys Lead Mercury Prize Shortlist

The shortlist for the Nationwide Mercury Prize has been unveiled in London, featuring a typically broad range of musical tastes dominated this year by new, alternative artists.

The award, which highlights the best 12 British or Irish albums of the previous year, has previously been won by acts like Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream and last year’s victors, Arctic Monkeys.

Arctic Monkeys will defend their title, as their sophomore effort "Favourite Worst Nightmare" (Domino), is on the 2007 shortlist.

Another former winner, rapper Dizzee Rascal, also returns to the list with his "Maths + English" album (XL), alongside Amy Winehouse for her acclaimed "Back to Black" record (Island).

Arctic Monkeys and Winehouse have been installed by William Hill bookmakers as early joint favorites to take the prize, with odds of 4/1. Dizzee Rascal has odds of 8/1.

The other nominees, with William Hill odds, are: Bat for Lashes’ "Fur and Gold" (Echo/EMI) (10/1); Fionn Regan’s "The End of History" (Lost Highway) (10/1); New Young Pony Club’s "Fantastic Playroom" (Modular) (12/1); Klaxons’ "Myths of the Near Future" (Rinse/Polydor) (8/1); the Young Knives’ "Voices of Animals and Men" (Transgressive) (10/1); Maps’ "We Can Create" (Mute) (12/1); the View’s "Hats Off to the Buskers" (1965) (8/1); Jamie T’s "Panic Prevention" (Virgin) (8/1); and Basquiat Strings’ "Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford" (F-Ire) (12/1).

Source Billboard

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