Vent My Spleen Advanced Member Posts:500  
| 9/18/2002 8:56 AM |
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I see that Ms Dynamite scooped the award this year. In a strange twist, she was pretty much the favourite with the bookies despite widespread belief that The Streets were a shoe in.
I'm not a big fan of awards but always thought that the Mercury was a step above the rest. However, the appear to have responded to criticism in recent years that they have ignored new musical genres by giving it to the most pop/garage album on the shortlist. That is, of course, not to say it wasn't the best album there (I've not had the pleasure of a few listens) but I do wonder if the judges capitulated to pressure to pick one of the urban rythms acts rather than straight indie. The last time this happened, M People controversially won (circa 1995, I think).
Who does the list think should have won. Probably the most relevent album was the Streets. I felt that Electric Soft Parade and Gemma Hayes were a bit too lite/indie for it this year.
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damo101 New Member Posts:82
| 9/18/2002 9:03 AM |
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think primal scream should have gotten it - the new album is brilliant and they've not gotten the recognition the deserve for the last few albums. Still it's funny seeing them play on music programs like CD:UK because no-one in the audience really knows much about them except that they're meant to be famous
'and jesus did feed the fecophiliacs loaves and fish, more specifically pinched loaves and chocolate salmon'
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| 9/18/2002 9:58 PM |
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"they have ignored new musical genres"
Talvin Signh (Sp) did win it a few years ago.
http://www.kaboommusic.cjb.net
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Vent My SpleenAdvanced Member Posts:500
| 9/19/2002 1:28 PM |
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The point was that the award has been criticised for ignoring new genres, niche music and up until last year, the ladies. I was pondering whether the is an element of being right on political correctness entering into the award rather than a pure musical decision. Personally, and I must admit to having not listened to either album extensively, I feel that the Streets album was probably the more ground breaking than Ms. Dynamite.
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DromedAdvanced Member Posts:900
| 9/19/2002 1:57 PM |
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Almost every one on the list had put up the goods enough to merit being on the list in the first place and I think that the diversity of music on it from Ms Dynamite to Gemma Hayes to Doves to The Streets and even to David Bowie, is a credit to it. As far as music that will stand the test of time I don't think Ms Dynamite EEEEE will be around in twenty years time whereas The Last Broadcast (Doves) has some of the most amazing, timeless melodies on it that would have sounded as good twenty years ago and will still sound good in the years to come. Now in fairness The Streets is that bit more eclectic and more the sound of 2002 but I wonder for how long...?
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Vent My SpleenAdvanced Member Posts:500
| 9/19/2002 4:55 PM |
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The Doves album is probably my favourite on the list. However, I think the fact that The Streets album is eclectic and very much of it's time lyrically is in it's favour. In some ways it could be argued that The Streets album is as much an indicator of attitudes and feelings as the Jam were in the late 70's and The Smiths were in the eighties. Being contemporary is seldom a hindrance if the quality is there.
All in all, the fact that The Streets album is a testement to the times is one of the reasons I like it! As a matter of fact, if it were twenty years ago, it'd probably be a concept album
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| 9/21/2002 4:24 AM |
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I think the Streets should have gotten it -although it would have been nice to see Gemma Hayes pick up the award - saw her performance at the awards on TV fri night - she was real good
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