The nominees for this year’s Mercury Prize, honoring the best album by a British or Irish artist, were announced today in London; the list has both surprises and shoe-ins. Retro-R&B sensation Amy Winehouse and jumpy rockers Arctic Monkeys seemed guaranteed nods, and have been pegged as equal favorites to win, with booker William Hill giving them each 4-to-1 odds. (I love this whole British “odds on everything” thing. I’m 2-to-1 for going to grab coffee after this.) The Arctics won the prize last year for their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not; fellow nominee Dizzee Rascal has also won before, back in 2003. Other artists nominated include Klaxons, The View, and New Young Pony Club. A full list of nominated albums, William Hill odds, and “for fans of” descriptions after the jump.
2007 Mercury Music Prize Nominees
Artist – Album (Odds) (MySpace and YouTube links)
For Fans Of: two other bands and something else
Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare (4-to-1) (MySpace, “Brianstorm” on YouTube)
For fans of: The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, youthfulness
Amy Winehouse – Back To Black (4-to-1) (MySpace, “Rehab” on YouTube)
For fans of: The Ronettes, The Supremes, eyeliner
Dizzee Rascal – Maths And English (8-to-1) (MySpace, “Fix Up Look Sharp” on YouTube)
For fans of: Busta Rhymes, Tricky, English as a foreign language
Jamie T – Panic Prevention (8-to-1) (MySpace, “Sheila” on YouTube)
For fans of: Billy Bragg, The Clash, boozing it up
Klaxons – Myths Of The Near Future (8-to-1) (MySpace, “Golden Skans” on YouTube)
For fans of: Kaiser Chiefs, Liars, Doctor Who
The View – Hats Off To The Buskers (8-to-1) (MySpace, “Wasted Little DJs” on YouTube)
For fans of: The Fratellis, The Strokes, obscure Scottishisms
Bat For Lashes – Fur And Gold (10-to-1) (MySpace, “Prescilla” on YouTube)
For fans of: Bjork, Tori Amos, autoharps
Fionn Regan – The End Of History (10-to-1) (MySpace, “Be Good or Be Gone” on YouTube)
For fans of: Nick Drake, acoustic Beck, adorable mop-haired Irish boys with guitars
The Young Knives – Voices Of Animals And Men (10-to-1) (MySpace, “Here Comes the Rumour Mill” on YouTube)
For fans of: Hot Hot Heat, The Cars, tweed suits
Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford – Basquiat Strings (12-to-1) (MySpace)
For fans of: Kronos Quartet, Jon Metcalf, National Public Radio
Maps – We Can Create (12-to-1) (MySpace, “It Will Find You” on YouTube)
For fans of: Spiritualized, My Bloody Valentine, sitting alone in your room
New Young Pony Club – Fantastic Playroom (12-to-1) (MySpace, “Ice Cream” on YouTube)
For fans of: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blondie, asymmetrical haircuts
