The Mercury Music Prize 2004 shortlist announced. Headed by Scottish rock
band Franz Ferdinand and teenage soul singer Joss Stone lead the shortlist
for this year's Mercury Music Prize announced on Tuesday. The prize honours
the best album of the last year by a UK or Irish act, chosen from a wide
range of musical genres.

Bookmakers have made Franz Ferdinand and The Streets joint favourites, with
Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol and Keane close behind. Previous winners include
Primal Scream, PJ Harvey, Roni Size, Gomez and last year's victor Dizzee
Rascal. Other big-name winners have included Portishead, Pulp, Suede and M
People, but judges have chosen to overlook major acts such as Radiohead, U2,
Oasis, Coldplay and Dido.

The winner will be announced on 7 September.

The full list of nominations is:

Basement Jaxx - Kish Kash
Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Jamelia - Thank You
Keane - Hopes and Fears
Snow Patrol - Final Straw
Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
Ty - Upwards
Amy Winehouse - Frank
Robert Wyatt - Cuckooland
The Zutons - Who Killed The Zutons

What do you think? We are running a poll at
http://www.musicshopper.bb2.org/index.php?showtopic=31 You can also post
your own suggestions on your favourite British album of the last 12 months.

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